Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe

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If you have ever dreamt of biting into a cookie that is perfectly thick, soft, gooey on the inside, and generously loaded with chocolate chips and nuts, then the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe will be your new obsession. This recipe brings the magic of one of New York City’s most famous cookie creations right into your own kitchen, combining simple, high-quality ingredients with a foolproof technique that yields bakery-style results every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these cookies promise a delightful texture and rich flavor that feels indulgent yet comforting, capturing the essence of Levain Bakery’s iconic treats with every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe plays a vital role in crafting the perfect thick and tender cookie, from the cold butter’s crumbly richness to the balance of leavening agents ensuring just the right rise and texture.

• All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Provides the structure and body for the cookie, helping it hold its thick shape.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Gives the cookie a slight lift and lightness without over-rising.
• Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Reacts with the brown sugar to encourage browning and tenderness.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and deepening the chocolate notes.
• Cold unsalted butter, cubed (1 cup): The secret to that irresistible fluffy, yet dense, cookie texture—it melts slowly for gooey centers.
• Light brown sugar, packed (1 cup): Adds moisture and caramel-like depth that keeps cookies soft and chewy.
• Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Helps create the crisp golden edges that contrast perfectly with the gooey insides.
• Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
• Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Boosts the flavor complexity with warm, fragrant notes.
• Semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups): The star ingredient offering melty pockets of chocolate throughout your cookie. Feel free to add milk chocolate for a sweeter touch.
• Chopped walnuts (1 cup, optional): For a delightful crunch and nutty contrast, though pecans or other nuts work beautifully too.

How to Make Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Start by heating your oven to a blazing 410°F (210°C), which is a bit higher than typical cookie temperatures. This is crucial for setting the edges quickly while leaving the centers soft and gooey. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—this ensures the cookies bake evenly without sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisking these together distributes the leavening agents and salt uniformly throughout the flour, ensuring your cookies rise consistently and taste perfectly balanced.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, blend the cold, cubed butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Keep at it for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and smooth—this aeration is key for that tender crumb texture. The cold butter helps create those thick pockets that melt in your mouth.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one by one, beating well after each addition for full incorporation, then pour in the vanilla extract. This enriches the dough and deepens the sweet aroma, making your kitchen smell absolutely divine.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be gentle here—overmixing can develop gluten and toughen your cookies, which is the last thing you want in a Levain-style cookie.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Nuts

Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts delicately. The dough will be thick and chunky—this is exactly how it should be for that signature Levain heft.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Grab about 1/4 cup of dough for each cookie and roll it into a ball with your hands. Place the balls on the lined baking sheets without pressing or flattening; they should remain high and mound-like to achieve that perfect tall, rustic bakery shape.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes. You’re looking for golden edges but a center that still looks a little underbaked and soft. This contrast is what makes the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe so special—crispy outside, gooey inside.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Serving them warm allows you to experience that melty, decadent chocolate chip magic to the fullest.

How to Serve Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

While these cookies are incredible on their own, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking elevates the chocolate’s richness even more. Alternatively, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a charming sweetness that makes them feel extra special.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a hot espresso, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an unbeatable dessert experience. The combination of warm, gooey cookie and creamy accompaniments creates pure bliss in every bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try turning these cookies into decadent ice cream sandwiches using your favorite flavors. Or serve them with a warm chocolate dipping sauce for an indulgent party platter. These presentation ideas make the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll remain soft and delicious for up to 3 days. To maintain their gooey centers, place a slice of bread in the container—the moisture prevents drying out perfectly.

Freezing

You can freeze both baked cookies and cookie dough balls. For the dough, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a bag for up to 3 months. When ready, bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time for fresh-out-of-the-oven results.

Reheating

Warm leftover cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for 5-7 minutes to revive that fresh-baked gooey texture. Be careful not to overheat, or you’ll lose that perfect chewiness.

FAQs

Can I substitute the walnuts with other nuts?

Absolutely! Pecans, macadamia nuts, or even hazelnuts make great alternatives and add different flavor profiles and textures to the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe.

Why is the butter cold in this recipe?

Using cold cubed butter creates pockets of fat that slowly melt during baking, resulting in thick, tender, and slightly crumbly cookies with that signature gooey interior.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To adapt this Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe for gluten-free diets, try using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Keep in mind, texture and spread may slightly differ, but the cookies will still be delicious.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for golden edges with a center that looks a bit underbaked and soft. They will firm up as they cool, giving you that perfect combination of crisp edges and gooey middle.

Can these cookies be made vegan?

Yes, by substituting the butter with a vegan alternative and using flax or chia eggs for binding, you can create a vegan version. Just choose dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the recipe completely plant-based.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about the Levain Bakery NYC Cookies Recipe—it’s a world-famous classic that’s surprisingly approachable in your own kitchen. Once you try making these thick, gooey, chocolate-studded cookies yourself, you’ll understand why so many people adore them. I encourage you to grab your ingredients and give this recipe a whirl; it promises warm smiles and countless happy moments with every decadent bite.

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