Iconic NYC Levain Bakery Cookies Recipe: Bake Like Legends!

Chocolate chip cookies reach legendary status with the Levain bakery NYC cookies recipe that has taken the dessert world by storm.

These massive, indulgent treats are the stuff of sweet dreams and bakery fantasies.

Decadent chocolate chunks melt into perfect pockets of soft, rich dough.

The secret lies in their unbelievable texture – crisp on the outside and impossibly gooey on the inside.

Bakers have tried to replicate this iconic recipe for years, but nothing quite matches the original.

Each bite delivers a moment of pure chocolate bliss that stops you in your tracks.

Your taste buds will dance with joy when you master these incredible cookies that have become a New York City culinary legend.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients for Levain Bakery NYC Cookies You’ll Crave

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and classic texture with its balanced protein content.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and create a soft, tender crumb with a perfect height.
• Salt: Enhances all other flavors and balances the sweetness, creating a more complex taste profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Deliver deep caramel notes and create a moist, chewy texture with incredible sweetness and complexity.

• Butter: Cold butter ensures a rich, luxurious flavor and helps create the signature dense, bakery-style cookie texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's rich, tender structure with added moisture.

• Chocolate Chips: Provide pockets of melted chocolate that create dramatic flavor bursts and irresistible gooey moments.
• Walnuts: Optional ingredient that adds a delightful crunch and nutty depth to complement the chocolate's richness.

Tools to Bake Giant Levain Bakery NYC Cookies at Home

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugars to light, fluffy perfection.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Separate Mixing Bowl: Great for whisking dry ingredients without clumping.
• Spatula: Key for gently folding in chocolate chips and walnuts without overmixing.
• Baking Sheets: Two sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats ensure even baking.
• Wire Rack: Helps cookies cool down and crisp up after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients evenly.

How to Get the Chunky Chew of Levain Bakery Cookies

• Warm Up Your Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 200C (400F). Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating the perfect landing zone for your soon-to-be delicious treats.

• Whip Up the Base

Grab your mixer and blend cold butter with sugars until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that promises deliciousness.

• Introduce the Eggs

Drop in eggs one by one, mixing until they’re completely integrated into your creamy base. Scrape down the bowl’s sides to ensure everything gets cozy together.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly marry these dry ingredients with your wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

• Fold in the Good Stuff

Tenderly mix chocolate chips and walnuts into the dough, creating pockets of flavor that will make taste buds dance.

• Shape Cookie Magic

Form eight generously sized dough balls, keeping them tall and proud. This ensures a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth center that screams indulgence.

• Bake to Perfection

Carefully place cookies on prepared sheets, giving them room to spread. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges turn golden and centers look delightfully underdone.

• Let Them Rest

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy.

Tips to Customize Levain-Style Cookies at Home

• Perfect Cookie Texture Tips: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough balls and freeze them for up to 3 months, baking directly from frozen state for fresh cookies anytime.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets, ensuring same delicious texture.
• Nut-Free Option: Skip walnuts or substitute with additional chocolate chips or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for those with nut allergies.
• Chocolate Lover's Variation: Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate chips to create unique flavor profiles that match personal preferences.

Serve Warm or Chilled—They’ll Disappear Fast

• Milk Dunking Delight: Dive into classic cookie enjoyment by pairing these massive Levain-style cookies with a cold glass of milk. The rich chocolate and nutty flavors blend perfectly with creamy milk.
• Dessert Plate Elegance: Create an Instagram-worthy dessert display by serving cookies alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Sprinkle some chopped walnuts on top for extra crunch.
• Coffee Shop Vibes: Complement these indulgent cookies with a hot espresso or cappuccino. The contrast between warm coffee and the gooey chocolate center elevates the entire tasting experience.
• Weekend Brunch Showstopper: Break these cookies into chunks and serve as a decadent topping for weekend pancakes or waffles. The melted chocolate and soft cookie texture add luxurious depth to your morning meal.

Store Levain Cookies to Keep Their Signature Texture

• Smart Cookie Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
• Quick Freezing Trick: Wrap individual cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Freshness Renewal Method: Warm slightly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore just-baked softness and melt chocolate chips.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough up to 48 hours in advance, refrigerate in sealed container. Let dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before shaping and baking for best results.

Legendary Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Levain Bakery NYC Cookies promise a legendary chocolate chip experience with massive, gooey cookies that redefine indulgence. Bakery enthusiasts will discover New York’s most celebrated sweet treasure, crafted with premium ingredients and unmatched baking expertise.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 300 g (1 ½ cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
• 225 g (1 cup) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 200 g (1 cup) light brown sugar, packed
• 400 g (3 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 150 g (1 cup) walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 200C (400F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Creaming Stage: Utilize mixer to blend cold butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Egg Integration: Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixture and scraping bowl sides for consistent texture.
4. Dry Ingredient Composition: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to create a uniform dry ingredient blend.
5. Dough Formation: Gently combine dry ingredients into wet mixture using low-speed mixing, avoiding overmixing to maintain delicate structure.
6. Mix-in Technique: Delicately fold chocolate chips and walnuts throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
7. Shaping Process: Mold substantial dough balls (approximately 150g), maintaining a tall, robust shape to guarantee a decadent, gooey center.
8. Baking Arrangement: Position 4 cookie dough balls per baking sheet, providing adequate spacing for potential expansion.
9. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges turn golden-brown with slightly underdone centers, then rest on sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
10. Serving Recommendation: Enjoy cookies while warm to experience maximum chocolate indulgence.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use a kitchen scale for exact ingredient measurements, ensuring consistent cookie size and texture.
• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain thick, bakery-style cookie shape.
• Control Mixing Technique: Mix dry ingredients minimally to avoid developing excess gluten, which can create tough, dense cookies.
• Temperature Matters: Use cold butter and room temperature eggs for optimal dough consistency and better ingredient integration.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg