The Ultimate Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Crafting the legendary levain bakery chocolate chip cookies at home might seem like a culinary challenge.

My kitchen adventures have proven these delights are totally achievable with the right technique.

Massive, golden-edged cookies demand precision and patience.

Professional bakers know these treats require specific mixing methods.

Dense, rich chocolate chunks create irresistible pockets of sweetness throughout each massive cookie.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these an absolute game-changer for dessert lovers.

She’ll want to bookmark this recipe and clear her afternoon for baking magic.

FAQs

• Why are my cookies spreading too much?

This can happen if the butter is too soft or warm. Chill the dough for 30-45 minutes before baking to help the cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.

• Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for chocolate chips, you can use chocolate chunks, mix different chocolate varieties like milk and dark chocolate, or even add chocolate discs for a more gourmet touch.

• How big should the cookie dough balls be?

The recipe recommends 4 oz balls, which create the signature large Levain-style cookies. Use a kitchen scale for precision, or aim for roughly the size of a golf ball.

• Do I need to use both types of flour?

Yes, the combination of all-purpose and bread flour is key to achieving the bakery’s signature texture. The bread flour adds extra protein and structure, creating a chewier, more substantial cookie.

Why Levain Bakery Cookies Are Worth Baking

Savor Massive Cookies: Indulge in Bakery-Style Delights that Wow!

• Craft Bakery-Quality Treats: Recreate the legendary Levain Bakery experience right in your kitchen with these oversized, incredibly decadent chocolate chip cookies.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Recipe: Whip up these impressive cookies in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute gatherings.
• Texture Lover's Dream: Enjoy a phenomenal contrast of crispy golden edges and soft, gooey centers that make these cookies absolutely irresistible to both kids and adults.
• Customizable Baking Adventure: Easily swap nuts or chocolate types to match personal preferences, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for different taste buds.

Levain Bakery Cookie Ingredient Mix

• All-Purpose Flour, Cake Flour: Provides structure and softness to the cookie, creating a perfect tender-yet-sturdy base.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread with a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter (Cold & Cubed): Creates a rich, buttery flavor and helps achieve the signature Levain cookie thickness, best when very cold.
• Light Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and sweetness, providing moisture and complex flavor.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's rich texture.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provides classic chocolate flavor with a balanced sweetness, choose high-quality chips for best results.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 400°F.

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for perfect cookie release.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Sea salt

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a separate large bowl, beat softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes incredibly fluffy and light, creating a smooth base for your cookies.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth, well-incorporated batter.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 6: Add Chocolate and Nuts

• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts

Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 7: Shape Massive Cookies

Create generous cookie dough balls, each weighing about 4 ounces.

Place them generously spaced on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 9-12 minutes, watching for golden edges while maintaining a gooey, soft center.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to complete cooling.

Savor the rich, bakery-style treat you’ve created.

Bakery-Style Levain Cookies With Easy Mixing and Baking Help

• Adjust ball size for smaller or larger cookies, keeping baking time proportional to maintain the signature gooey center.
• Use a mix of dark, milk, and semi-sweet chocolate chips for a more complex, rich chocolate profile.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their thick, bakery-style shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Remove cookies from oven when edges are golden but center looks slightly underbaked for that classic Levain soft and chewy texture.
• Swap walnuts with pecans or omit entirely for those with nut allergies or personal preference.

Keep Bakery Cookies Soft And Delicious Later

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep them in a single layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for maximum freshness.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a 350°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore that fresh-baked softness and gooey center.
• If enjoying within 1-2 days, keep cookies on the counter in a sealed container to maintain their delicious texture and prevent them from drying out.

Ideal Sides for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Pair with Rich Cold Milk: Creamy, whole milk perfectly balances the intense chocolate chip cookie's sweetness and cuts through the buttery richness.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream complements the warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Enjoy with Dark Roast Coffee: Bold, robust coffee provides a deep, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet, chocolate-studded cookie, enhancing overall flavor complexity.
• Serve with Salted Caramel Latte: Smooth, sweet-salty latte mirrors the cookie's sweet-salty profile, creating a harmonious and indulgent flavor combination.

Chocolate Chip Cookies à la Levain with Gooey Twists

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Replace all-purpose and bread flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same rich texture and taste for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and opt for dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based version.
• Nut-Free Option: Remove walnuts from the recipe and add extra chocolate chips or replace with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a crunchy alternative that's safe for nut-allergic individuals.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies: Reduce granulated and brown sugar, and incorporate natural sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia to create a healthier, lower-calorie cookie that still satisfies sweet cravings.