Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe
If you have ever dreamed of biting into a cookie that is thick, gooey, and bursting with chocolate chunks, then the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe will feel like a dream come true. These iconic cookies, famous for their perfectly crunchy exterior and meltingly soft center, bring the authentic New York bakery experience right into your kitchen. Whether you’re a chocolate chip cookie aficionado or simply looking for a decadent treat to share, this recipe captures that legendary Levain charm in every irresistible bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are humble yet powerful contributors to the magic of the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe. Each one plays a key role in developing the texture, flavor, and richness you crave, making the process straightforward but the results spectacular.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives structure and chewiness to the cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: A small lift for soft, tender crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps create that signature golden crust and perfect rise.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors beautifully.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed: For rich flavor and a tender yet sturdy dough texture.
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a mellow caramel depth.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances texture and sweetness for the ideal crunch.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add softness.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Infuses warm, aromatic flavor.
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips: The star mix-in delivering melty, gooey pockets of chocolate.
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional): Adds crunch and a nutty contrast – feel free to substitute pecans if you like.
How to Make Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by cranking your oven up to 410°F (210°C). This higher heat is key to achieving that crispy outer shell while keeping the inside soft, so don’t skip this step. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and come off effortlessly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Taking the time to mix these dry ingredients thoroughly ensures your cookies rise just right and have that perfect balance of tenderness and crispness.
Step 3: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cold cubed butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. You want the mixture fluffy and smooth, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step ensures that your cookies will have a luscious buttery flavor with the right texture. Then, add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, before mixing in the vanilla extract for that classic sweet aroma.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on a low speed, mixing just until everything comes together. Overmixing at this stage can toughen the dough, so gently combine everything to keep the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe tender and luscious.
Step 5: Add the Mix-ins
Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts if you’re using them. The dough will be thick and chunky, which means it’s perfectly ready to be formed into those signature Levain mounds filled with gooey chips and crunchy nuts.
Step 6: Form the Cookies
Take large portions of dough—about 1/4 cup each—and roll them into rough balls. Place these directly on the baking sheet without flattening. Levain cookies are famous for their tall, thick appearance and leaving them as mounds is part of what gives you that incredibly soft center.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching closely for golden brown edges while the centers still look slightly underbaked. This precise bake time seals in the moisture, creating that delightful contrast between crisp edges and the rich, gooey heart that defines the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For the ultimate indulgence, enjoy these cookies warm while the chocolate is still melting and every bite is sheer bliss.
How to Serve Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While Levain cookies are heavenly on their own, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking adds an unexpected pop of flavor that complements the chocolate beautifully. You might also try a dusting of cocoa powder or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra decadence.
Side Dishes
These cookies are perfect paired with a cold glass of milk, but why not give a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream a try? The warm cookie plus cold ice cream creates an unbeatable flavor duo. A cup of robust coffee or a frothy cappuccino also enhances the rich taste of the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gift-giving, stack the cookies in a rustic jar tied with twine or present them on a vintage plate with fresh berries. You can also slice a cookie in half and make an ice cream sandwich using your favorite flavor for a spectacular twist that friends and family will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe leftovers (if that even happens!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep their chewy texture for up to 3 days, ready for an impromptu snack or dessert anytime you want.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the uncooked dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven (adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time). Baked cookies can be frozen as well in an airtight container for up to 2 months without losing that fresh-from-the-oven flavor.
Reheating
To bring your Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe back to life after storing or freezing, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes or microwave for about 15 seconds. This revives their signature ooey-gooey texture in no time.
FAQs
What makes Levain Bakery NYC cookies different from regular chocolate chip cookies?
Levain Bakery cookies are famous for their thick, substantial size with a crunchy exterior and an incredibly gooey, almost underbaked center. This texture contrast is achieved by careful control of baking time, a high oven temperature, and using cold butter which creates that dense yet tender crumb.
Can I substitute the walnuts with other nuts?
Absolutely! While walnuts are classic in this recipe, you can swap them for pecans, macadamia nuts, or even skip nuts altogether if you prefer a pure chocolate chip experience. Just chop them coarsely to maintain that delightful crunch.
Why is cold butter used instead of softened butter?
Using cold butter helps create a more uneven dough texture that lends itself to the Levain cookies’ iconic thick and chunky look and feel. It also slows the melting process during baking, encouraging the cookies to rise unevenly and develop crispy edges while staying soft inside.
Is it important not to flatten the cookie dough before baking?
Yes! Leaving the cookies in thick mounds rather than flattening them ensures they keep their signature height and gooey middle. Flattening would result in a thinner cookie that bakes more evenly but loses that authentic Levain texture.
Can I make this recipe vegan or gluten-free?
This classic Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe calls for butter, eggs, and all-purpose flour, but you can experiment with vegan butter and flaxseed eggs to replace dairy and eggs. Gluten-free flour blends might work too, though the texture will differ from the original. For best results, stick close to the original ingredients.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing quite like the joy of biting into a homemade Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe. Whether you’re treating yourself after a long day or sharing with loved ones, these cookies bring a comforting warmth and pure, indulgent happiness. So gather your ingredients, get your hands messy, and make these legendary cookies your new favorite tradition.
Print
Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 large cookies 1x
Description
Levain Bakery NYC Cookies are famous for their thick, gooey centers and perfectly crisp edges. This recipe recreates the iconic cookies at home, combining cold butter with brown and granulated sugars, semisweet chocolate chips, and optional walnuts for a rich, decadent treat. Their large size and soft interior make them irresistibly delicious and perfect for cookie lovers craving a bakery-quality experience.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or a mix of semisweet and milk chocolate)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional, or use other nuts like pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside for baking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside to combine later.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cold cubed butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Finally, add the vanilla extract and mix to incorporate.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to preserve the cookie’s tender texture.
- Add the Mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (if using) gently with a spatula, ensuring even distribution throughout the thick dough.
- Form the Cookies: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, portion out roughly 1/4 cup of dough per cookie. Roll each portion into a ball but do not flatten; place them on the prepared baking sheets as mounds to achieve the signature thick cookie shape.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookie edges are golden brown but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked. This ensures a gooey middle.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For the best experience, serve while still warm to enjoy their gooey texture.
Notes
- Using cold butter helps maintain the cookie’s thick texture and prevents excessive spreading.
- Do not flatten the cookie dough balls on the baking sheet to keep the characteristic tall, thick cookies.
- Optional nuts can be substituted with pecans or omitted according to preference.
- Adjust baking time slightly if making smaller or larger cookies to avoid overbaking or underbaking.
- For best results, use high-quality semisweet chocolate chips or a mix of semisweet and milk chocolate for flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
