Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Ultimate Cookie Recipe

There are few desserts as universally adored as the chocolate chip cookie. Over the years, this humble cookie has evolved into an iconic treat with countless variations. But among all the variations out there, Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies have become a legendary standard for cookie lovers across the world. Known for their massive size, thick texture, and irresistible combination of chocolate chips, butter, and just the right balance of sweetness, Levain Bakery’s cookies have captivated the hearts of cookie enthusiasts far and wide.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies, covering everything from the origins of Levain Bakery and why their cookies are so popular, to the secrets behind their recipe and tips for recreating them at home. We’ll also explore how Levain’s cookies have become a symbol of indulgence and joy in the baking world, and provide the ultimate recipe to make these iconic treats in your own kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this article will walk you through everything you need to know to bake the perfect Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The Origins of Levain Bakery: A Legacy of Deliciousness

Before diving into the famous cookie recipe, let’s first take a look at the bakery that gave birth to these extraordinary cookies.

The Birth of Levain Bakery

Levain Bakery was founded in 1994 by two friends, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, who shared a deep passion for baking and a love of delicious, high-quality food. The pair opened Levain Bakery on the Upper West Side of New York City with the goal of creating baked goods that were not only delicious but also satisfying and comforting. They quickly became known for their unique, high-quality approach to baking, which combined classic recipes with innovative techniques and premium ingredients.

While Levain Bakery started with a small storefront, their exceptional baked goods soon gained a loyal following. Customers flocked to the bakery for its freshly baked bread, pastries, and cookies, but it was their signature chocolate chip cookies that truly stole the show.

Why Are Levain Bakery’s Cookies So Famous?

Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies are unlike any others. The size, texture, and flavor of these cookies set them apart from the traditional flat, chewy chocolate chip cookie that many are used to. So, what makes Levain’s cookies so special?

The Size: One of the most striking features of Levain Bakery’s cookies is their enormous size. Each cookie weighs in at approximately six ounces, which is roughly four times the size of a typical cookie. The cookies are thick, hefty, and packed with ingredients, creating a satisfying and indulgent treat.
The Texture: Levain’s chocolate chip cookies are thick and chewy on the inside with a slightly crispy golden-brown exterior. This texture comes from the bakery’s method of baking the cookies at a high temperature, which helps to achieve that perfect balance between a crisp outer edge and a soft, gooey interior.
The Ingredients: Levain Bakery uses top-quality ingredients, including premium chocolate, high-quality butter, and a mix of bread flour and cake flour. This combination of flours gives the cookies their signature thickness and texture, while the high-quality chocolate chips ensure that every bite is rich and decadent.
The Flavor: Levain’s cookies are incredibly rich, with a deep buttery flavor that is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the chocolate. The cookies are not overly sweet, but rather offer a more nuanced sweetness, which allows the other flavors, such as the brown sugar and vanilla, to shine through.

These elements together contribute to the perfect balance of indulgence and satisfaction, making Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies a must-try for any cookie lover.

The Recipe Behind Levain Bakery’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

While Levain Bakery keeps their exact recipe a closely guarded secret, many bakers and enthusiasts have tried to replicate their beloved cookies at home. Over the years, countless home bakers have worked tirelessly to create the perfect clone of Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip cookies. Through trial and error, a general understanding of the essential ingredients and techniques has emerged, giving us a near-perfect recipe to recreate these cookies in our own kitchens.

In this section, we’ll break down the key ingredients and techniques involved in making Levain-style chocolate chip cookies. These cookies are rich, dense, and packed with chocolate, and the recipe below will guide you through each step to ensure that your cookies come out just like the ones you’ve had at Levain Bakery.

Key Ingredients for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Unsalted Butter: The foundation of any great cookie is butter. For Levain’s cookies, it’s crucial to use unsalted butter, as this gives you full control over the salt content. The butter should be cold and cubed before it is incorporated into the dough. This ensures that the cookies hold their shape and remain thick while baking.
Flours: Levain Bakery uses a combination of bread flour and cake flour. The bread flour provides structure and chewiness, while the cake flour gives the cookies a lighter, more delicate texture. Using both types of flour is a key component in achieving the signature Levain texture.
Sugar: The sugar mixture in Levain’s cookies is made up of both granulated sugar and brown sugar. Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor, while granulated sugar helps the cookies to spread and achieve the right crispness on the edges.
Chocolate Chips: The chocolate chips are a central feature of Levain’s cookies. Levain uses a generous amount of high-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips. The chocolate should be chunky, so the cookies are studded with rich pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite.
Eggs: Eggs provide moisture and act as a binding agent in the dough. Levain’s cookies use cold eggs, which helps the dough hold its shape and results in a thicker cookie.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of high-quality vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies. It’s important to use pure vanilla extract rather than imitation vanilla to achieve the richest flavor.
Baking Soda: Baking soda helps the cookies rise and spread during baking. It’s important to measure it carefully, as too much baking soda can lead to a soapy or bitter taste.
Salt: A small amount of salt is essential in balancing the sweetness of the cookies and enhancing the other flavors. Salt also helps to bring out the natural richness of the butter and chocolate.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

This recipe is a close approximation of Levain Bakery’s famous chocolate chip cookies. While it might not be identical to the bakery’s secret formula, it comes remarkably close to replicating the flavors and texture that have made these cookies so beloved.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs (cold)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)

Instructions:

Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the bread flour, cake flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the cold, cubed butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the cold eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix until just incorporated.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Stop mixing once the flour is just incorporated, and then fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula.
Chill the Dough: The key to Levain Bakery’s thick, chewy cookies is chilling the dough. Once mixed, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies retain their shape during baking.
Preheat the Oven: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Form the Cookie Dough Balls: After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and divide it into 6 equally sized portions (about 1/4 cup of dough each). Roll each portion into a ball. The large cookie dough balls are essential to achieving the thick, gooey texture of Levain’s cookies.
Bake the Cookies: Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, but the centers are still slightly undercooked. This will give you the perfect balance of a crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior.
Cool and Enjoy: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the cookies warm for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience!

Tips for Perfect Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Use cold butter and eggs: Cold butter helps the dough stay thick, while cold eggs help the cookies keep their structure during baking.
Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough can result in tough cookies, so mix the dry ingredients in just until they are incorporated.
Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for ensuring the cookies don’t spread too much in the oven.
Bake at a high temperature: Baking the cookies at 400°F ensures a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the center soft and gooey.
Use premium chocolate: The quality of your chocolate chips or chopped chocolate will significantly impact the flavor of your cookies.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Indulgence

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a treat; they are a celebration of all things that make cookies great. Their massive size, rich flavor, and perfect texture have earned them a devoted following, and with the recipe and tips above, you can recreate these iconic cookies in your own kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself to a decadent dessert, these cookies are sure to impress.

So, get your ingredients ready, follow the steps, and enjoy the process of baking one of the most beloved cookies in the world. Your taste buds will thank you, and your family and friends will be begging for more. Happy baking!

RECIPES AND TIPS