Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
These thick, gooey, and decadent chocolate chip cookies are inspired by the famous Levain Bakery in New York. They’re crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and loaded with chocolate chips and walnuts for an irresistible treat!
Servings
- Makes 24 cookies
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Thick and Gooey: Achieve the perfect bakery-style cookie texture.
- Quick to Make: Ready in about an hour with simple ingredients.
- Customizable: Add nuts, different chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of sea salt.7



Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 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)
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Ice cream scoop or cookie scoop
- Parchment-lined baking sheets
- Wire cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold cubed butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Use an electric mixer to beat until well combined and creamy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).
Step 5: Add Chocolate and Nuts
- Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (if using).
Step 6: Shape and Bake
- Using an ice cream scoop, scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown but the centers remain soft.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy warm for a gooey, melty center!
Tips for Perfect Levain Bakery Cookies
- Use Cold Butter: Cold butter creates a denser texture, similar to bakery-style cookies.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies; mix until ingredients are just combined.
- Scoop Generously: Use an ice cream scoop for large, bakery-style cookies.
- Chill the Dough: For even better results, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Baking Time: Bake until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft for the perfect chewy texture.
Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Baking Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Categories
- Dessert
- Cookies
- Comfort Food
Variations and Serving Suggestions
- Nut-Free Option: Skip the walnuts or replace them with additional chocolate chips.
- Chocolate Mix: Use dark, white, or milk chocolate chips for variety.
- Salted Caramel Twist: Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle sea salt on top for a gourmet touch.
- Serving Ideas: Pair with a glass of milk, coffee, or vanilla ice cream.
How to Store and Reheat
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Store unbaked dough balls in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra 2 minutes to baking time.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.
FAQs
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
- Yes, but reduce the added salt to ¼ teaspoon to balance flavors.
- What can I substitute for walnuts?
- Pecans, almonds, or extra chocolate chips work well.
- Why bake at 410°F instead of a lower temperature?
- The high temperature helps create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside gooey.
- Can I make smaller cookies?
- Yes! Adjust baking time to 7–9 minutes for smaller cookies.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
these thick and gooey chocolate chip cookies, inspired by Levain Bakery, are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect for any occasion!
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- electric mixer
- Parchment paper
- baking sheets
- cooling rack
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 410°F (210°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream cold butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Let cool before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Use cold butter for a thick, bakery-style texture.
- Chill dough before baking for best results