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Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe: The Ultimate Thick & Gooey Treat

If you love soft, thick, and gooey chocolate chip cookies, then this Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe is exactly what you need! These cookies are massive, bakery-style, and loaded with melty chocolate chunks. With a perfectly crisp exterior and a soft, gooey center, they are every cookie lover’s dream. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just craving a homemade sweet treat, this Levain Bakery copycat recipe will satisfy your dessert cravings like never before.

Introduction

What makes Levain Bakery cookies so special? It’s their thick, almost cake-like texture, crisp edges, and rich, buttery flavor that keep people coming back for more. Unlike traditional chocolate chip cookies, these are extra thick with a soft, slightly underbaked center.

The secret to their signature texture? Using cold butter, a mix of sugars, and a high baking temperature. This helps create a cookie that is crisp on the outside while keeping the inside soft and chewy. And the best part? You don’t have to travel to New York City to enjoy these bakery-style cookies—you can make them at home with just a few simple ingredients!

Ingredients

To make the perfect Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Essential 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
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
1 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped (optional but recommended)

How to Make Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. The high baking temperature helps achieve that crispy outside and gooey center.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cold cubed butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using an electric mixer. Beat for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well combined. Unlike most cookie recipes that use softened butter, cold butter keeps these cookies thick and prevents them from spreading too much.

3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated.

4. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Walnuts

Gently fold in the chocolate chips (or chunks) and chopped walnuts using a spatula or wooden spoon. The combination of gooey chocolate and crunchy walnuts is what gives these cookies their irresistible texture.

6. Form Large Cookie Dough Balls

Using your hands, form large dough balls, about 6 ounces (or the size of a baseball). Do not flatten them—keeping them tall will help maintain their thick, bakery-style shape.

7. Bake to Perfection

Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center is still slightly underbaked.

8. Cool & Serve

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. The cooling process helps set the centers while keeping them gooey inside. Enjoy them warm for the ultimate bakery-style cookie experience!

Helpful Tips

Use Cold Butter: Cold butter prevents excessive spreading, ensuring a thick, bakery-style cookie.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Keep the Dough Thick: Forming tall, round dough balls helps maintain the perfect thick texture.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven, so take them out while they still look slightly underdone in the center.
Let Them Rest: Allowing the cookies to cool slightly will help them set while keeping the center soft and gooey.

Cooking Tips

Want to take your Levain Bakery cookies to the next level? Try these expert tips:

Try Different Chocolate Varieties: Mix dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate chunks for a more complex flavor.
Use Cake Flour for a Lighter Texture: Substituting half of the all-purpose flour with cake flour will give a more tender crumb.
Make a Nut-Free Version: If you’re allergic to nuts, simply omit the walnuts—the cookies will still be incredibly delicious!
Freeze the Dough for Later: These cookies freeze beautifully! Simply shape the dough into balls and freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, pop them in the oven directly from the freezer and add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these thick and gooey chocolate chip cookies with:

A tall glass of milk for the classic cookie experience
A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert
A drizzle of melted chocolate for extra richness
A cup of hot coffee or tea for the perfect afternoon treat

Nutritional Information

Here’s a nutritional breakdown per serving (1 large cookie):

Calories: 510
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 60mg
Sodium: 240mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 38g

Storage & Leftovers

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate: For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Store baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, microwave for 20-30 seconds to warm them up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use softened butter instead of cold butter?
No, cold butter is essential for achieving the thick, bakery-style texture that makes these cookies unique.

What’s the best way to measure flour?
Always spoon and level the flour rather than scooping it directly from the bag to prevent using too much.

Can I substitute the walnuts?
Yes! You can leave them out or replace them with pecans, macadamia nuts, or extra chocolate chips.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling is required! The cold butter helps keep the cookies thick without refrigeration.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you love Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies, try these other delicious recipes:

Conclusion

These Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate treat for chocolate chip cookie lovers. Thick, soft, gooey, and packed with flavor, they bring the bakery experience right to your kitchen. Try this copycat recipe today and enjoy a batch of irresistible homemade cookies! 🍪🍫