Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you’ve ever craved those iconic, oversized, gooey-centered cookies from Levain Bakery, you’re in for a treat. This recipe brings the magic of their famous chocolate chip cookies straight to your kitchen. With crisp, golden edges, soft, chewy centers, and melty chocolate chips in every bite, these cookies are pure indulgence.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just need a sweet pick-me-up, these cookies deliver bakery-quality results with minimal effort. Let’s break it down so you can whip up a batch of these decadent cookies today!

Why This Recipe Works

Cold Butter for Texture: Using cold, cubed butter gives the cookies a thicker, chewier texture — just like Levain’s signature style.

High Baking Temperature: Baking at 410°F (210°C) creates crispy edges while keeping the centers perfectly soft and gooey.

Generous Size: Scooping large dough balls (like an ice cream scoop) mimics the bakery’s iconic oversized cookies.

Balanced Sweetness: The mix of granulated and brown sugar adds the perfect balance of sweetness and chewiness.

What You’ll Need for This Recipe

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour

Ingredients:

1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

How to Make Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Preheat and Prep:

Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C).

Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cold, cubed butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined and creamy.

3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next.

Stir in the vanilla extract for a boost of flavor.

4. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

5. Combine Wet and Dry:

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined (don’t overmix).

6. Fold in the Good Stuff:

Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (if using) to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.

7. Scoop the Dough:

Use a large ice cream scoop or 1/3 cup measure to scoop out big portions of dough.

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

8. Bake to Perfection:

Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look just set (they should still be soft!).

9. Cool and Enjoy:

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Or, eat them warm for the ultimate gooey cookie experience!

Tips + Tricks for Recipe Success

Use High-Quality Chocolate: Splurge on good-quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate for a richer, more luxurious taste.

Don’t Skip the Cold Butter: It might feel unusual, but cold butter prevents the cookies from spreading too much, giving you that thick, bakery-style look.

Chill the Dough (Optional): If you have time, chill the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour for even better flavor and texture.

Watch the Bake Time: These cookies can go from perfect to overbaked in a flash — remove them as soon as the edges turn golden but the centers still look soft.

Customize Your Add-Ins: Not a walnut fan? Swap them for pecans, macadamia nuts, or even toffee bits for a unique twist.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are amazing on their own, but you can level up the experience:

With Ice Cream: Use them to make ice cream sandwiches with your favorite flavor.

Coffee Pairing: Dunk them in a hot cup of coffee or cold brew for a sweet treat.

Dessert Charcuterie Board: Arrange them with brownies, fruit, and chocolate sauce for a show-stopping dessert board.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe lets you enjoy bakery-quality cookies without leaving your kitchen. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, bake sales, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth on a random Tuesday.

The combination of crisp edges, soft, gooey centers, and melty chocolate is pure cookie perfection. Plus, with the option to add walnuts for extra crunch, you can easily tailor the recipe to your taste.

Once you try these, they’re sure to become your go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe — so grab your ingredients and get ready to bake a batch of heavenly cookies that taste like they came straight from the bakery!

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