Inspired by New York's famous bakery, these Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are gooey in the center and packed with walnuts and chocolate!
Whether you're from New York or not, traveled to or not, you may be familiar with the world-renowned shop located on the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan, known as Levain Bakery.
Today, we're recreating the beloved cookie that took the world by storm thanks to a NYT article that put the spotlight on these famous six ounce chocolate chip walnut cookies.
I often get asked what my favorite thing to bake is and when I answer, chocolate chip cookies, people often return with an unsatisfied look. As if I'm supposed to flex and boast about a seven-layer cake or something on that level of difficulty. The truth is, I crave the simple things. Simple things, when done right, can outshine any contender.
Chocolate chip cookies are as popular as they are for a reason- many reasons actually. First and foremost, they're damn delicious. Have you ever met someone who turned down a chocolate chip cookie? No, neither have I.
Secondly, they are perhaps one of the easiest desserts to make. They are pretty much a one-bowl wonder and take only 10 minutes to bake. What's more is, they are accessible that require mostly pantry staples. Finally, they are versatile. So, if you're feeling a little boujee, the possibilities are endless when it comes to mix-ins and toppings, not to mention the various ways you can serve chocolate chip cookies.
I don't really think you need any more of an explanation as to why chocolate chip cookies are the best in their field and why they are my favorite thing to bake.
I've shared a lot of chocolate chip cookies here on the blog, in fact some may argue, I've never met a chocolate chip cookie recipe I haven't made 😉 It's a badge I wear with pride, but it dawned on me that as a NY foodie, I had yet to attempt the coveted Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Renowned across the world not just for their flavor but their size, these cookies have become something of a NY icon and rightfully so. Weighing in at six ounces per cookie, they are loaded with chocolate chips and walnuts, then baked at an extremely high temperature for a short period of time, resulting in a cookie that has a golden, crisp exterior but a gooey dough-like center that will leave you swooning.
The most important thing when making this recipe is to chill your dough twice. If you don't you will end up with a baking sheet of melted cookies. Not the worst case scenario, but not the one we're aiming for with this recipe. Be sure to chill your dough once you mix it for at least half an hour. Then, once you measure the cookies out, I like to pop them into the freezer on the trays while the oven preheats.
I think many have their own interpretation on the Levain cookie, but this has been the closest I've gotten to original. It should be noted that Levain does not put vanilla in their cookies, but I personally love the added depth of flavor and sweetness vanilla brings to cookies, so I added a splash of it to mine.
As far as the nuts, I know many either don't prefer nuts in their cookies or may have an allergy, you most definitely can omit the nuts, but be sure to add some extra chips to the batter.
The final note is baking. Levain famously bakes their cookies at a high temperature which is how they achieve that gooey center, giving you the best of both worlds- a crisp cookie and a cookie dough filling. I baked mine at 425 degrees F. for 10-11 minutes but it depends on your oven. Anywhere from 400-425 is the desired temperature. The cookies should be slightly golden on the outside, and that's how you know when they are done. Let them cool slightly on a tray before serving.
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 dozen cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup cake flour*
- 1 1/2 cups AP flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of sea salt
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, whip butter and sugars together. Add eggs and vanilla, then beat again until incorporated.
- In a large bowl, whisk cake flour, AP flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until a smooth batter comes together.
- Add chocolate chips and walnuts, and pulse 5-7 times until well incorporated.
- Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.*
- Divide the dough into equal portions, about 4-6 ounces per cookie depending on how large you want them. (I scooped out about 4 ounce cookies and got about a dozen from this recipe). *Do not flatten the cookies.
- Pop the cookies into the freezer until the oven has preheated.
- Bake fore 10-11 minutes until the cookies are golden. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes before enjoying!
Notes
Homemade Cake Flour: To make your own cake flour, measure out 1 leveled cup of all-purpose flour and remove 2 tablespoons from it. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the flour and sift twice.
Baking Temperature: Not all ovens are the same. 425 degree F. may be too high for some, in which case bake at 400 degrees F. if you feel your oven tends to overheat. Things that factor into this are: oven sizes, pan sizes, and electric vs. gas range.
Prep Time Note: Prep Time does NOT include Inactive Prep Time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
And that’s our recipe for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you enjoyed today’s recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you. Happy Baking!
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Melanie Varey says
My goodness, these look fabulous! I love the chunkiness of the cookies. I also love anything with chocolate and nuts!
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind words. I too love anything chocolate and nutty.
Have a beautiful weekend.
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, Fabulous looking cookies, both inside and out! I'd never heard of these cookies...my loss for sure. Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you Dave for your kind words. I only learned of these cookies recently, but I do love a good cookie.
Have a beautiful Mother's Day weekend to you and Laurie.
Mosaic Murals says
These chocolate chip cookies look heavenly!!! I can't wait to make your recipe, i can't wait!!!
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind words. Please let me know how you enjoy them if you do give the recipe a try.
Have a beautiful weekend.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
I like different things depending on my mood. Chocolate chip cookies are always a popular choice in my household.
Catherine Pappas says
Oh, chocolate chip cookies are always welcome in my home as well.
Have a beautiful weekend.
Claudia Lamascolo says
I would devour them all, those looks fabulous as I am sure they are everything you make is. My grand kids are going to flip over these!
Catherine Pappas says
Oh, dear Claudia, Let me know how you and your beautiful grandkids enjoy these and thank you for your kind words.
Have a beautiful Mother's Day weekend. xo
proseccobefore7 says
OMG! this recipe looks scrumptious! Chocolate chip cookies are a favourite in my house, both my daughter and husband love them. I will be making them during the weekend. Thanks for sharing.
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind words. Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite here too.
I hope that you enjoy this recipe if you do give it a try. Let me know.
Have a beautiful weekend.
Melissa Dixon says
These cookies look so good. I need to try them asap. I am always open to baking some cookies for the family and this looks like the perfect one to try next.
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind words. I hope that you enjoy this recipe if you give it a try. Please let me know if you do.
Have a beautiful weekend.
StarTraci says
Wow! Those are enormous but they look delicious!!!
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind words. They are big cookies but you can make them smaller. I like to save the other half for later but later comes much sooner than I would like. lol Have a beautiful weekend ahead.
Michelle Giordano says
These Cookies look amazing Aunt Cathy!
I will make them when I’m better!!! Have a blessed day!!! Michelle
Lauren says
Is the butter in these softened beforehand?
Living the Gourmet says
Hi Lauren, thank you for stopping by! Yes, the butter is best at room temperature. Happy Baking!
Tiffany McLaws says
I was excited to try this recipe as I've tried multiple recipes before in hopes to recreate the big chocolate chip cookies served at Discovery Ski Resort in MT. They were soft yet held their shape and were a nice big dome shape. Chilling the cookie dough after scooping before baking really does help cookies to keep that shape better. The first pan I baked for 11 mins but didn't like that they were still soo doughy in the middle. I baked the next pan closer to 15 mins, at a lower temp & on the lower rack. They got more golden brown than I prefer, but I'd rather not eat dough. I didn't like how the baked cookies left my fingers greasy after eating either. For me this recipe didn't turn out well, but I'm sure other's in my house will happily eat them all up regardless.
Beth says
Wow! These are some of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever made. I love their texture, and they are just ginormously thick.
Yeah Lifestyle says
These cookies sound amazing with a crispy outside and a gooey centre! I would love to have a go at making these, I do love a good chocolate chip cookie!
Rhian Scammell says
Levain bakery is on my to visit list when I'm next in New York as I love a good cookie. I need to try these at home and see how they turn out x
Karen says
omg these look delicious!!! I am doing your recipe asap, I am so excited about it...yummmm....I can't wait.
LisaLisa says
WHOAAAA, those cookies look so delicious. I'm not familiar with the Levain bakery but I tell you this: I'm trying out your recipe over the weekend. :0)
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh says
I love this post! Levain Bakery's cookies are legendary, and it's exciting to see a recipe to recreate them at home. The story behind these famous six-ounce chocolate chip walnut cookies is fascinating, and I'm thrilled to try making them myself. Thanks for sharing this delightful piece of New York with us!
Melanie E says
omg these cookies look soooooo good!!! I haven't made chocolate chips cookies in so long. I'll check if I have teh ingredients and if I do I'll surprise the kids when they get back from school tomorrow.
Lavanda Michelle says
Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies are legendary! Your passion for perfecting this simple classic is inspiring—sometimes simplicity really does shine the brightest.
Rosey says
I have not heard of it. I can see why they would be so popular though, hello chocolate chip deliciousness.
Hari says
Chocolate chip cookies are definitely my favourite ones to have any time of the week. I totally agree that when simple things are done right, they can outshine the more complicated recipes.
Jupiter Hadley says
These cookies look SO THICK! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
Laura Side Street says
Ooh these cookies look absolutely delicious!! I'm going to have to make them as I know my boys would love these!! Yummy
Laura x
Laura says
I love cookies! like I love them. If I could pick one food it would be cookies. These sound amazing.
Marysa says
These look so big and tasty. I enjoy a good chocolate chip cookie, and these look just right. Definitely will have to try out your recipe!
Jenny says
I love baking chocolate chip cookies too, love the addition of nuts in this recipe.