Name: Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed; 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed; ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 ½ cups (170 g) cake flour; 1 ½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 cups (364 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips; 2 cups (234 g) walnuts, roughly chopped

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 54 reviews

If you have ever dreamed of biting into a massive, gooey, and perfectly crisp chocolate chip cookie that melts in your mouth with every chew, then you are in for a treat with this Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Inspired by the legendary New York bakery’s famous cookies, this recipe captures that divine crumbly exterior and fudgy, almost underbaked center that keeps everyone coming back for more. With a simple yet precise combination of butter, a mix of flours, generous chocolate chips, and crunchy walnuts, these cookies are an absolute must-bake for cookie lovers who want to recreate a bakery masterpiece right in their own kitchens.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows four round cookie dough balls placed evenly on a light beige silicone baking mat with orange circular patterns. The dough is light tan with many small dark brown chocolate chips visible throughout, giving it a textured look. The baking mat is resting on a silver metal baking sheet, which sits on a white marbled surface. One dough ball is in the foreground and is the closest to the viewer, while the other three are spaced behind it, creating depth. The scene is lit softly, highlighting the texture of the dough and the smooth surface of the baking mat photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this recipe has a special role, making these cookies wonderfully textured and flavorful without any fuss. The balance of sugars, the mix of cake and all-purpose flours, and the generous walnuts and chocolate chips all contribute to the magic behind the perfect cookie.

1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Using cold butter helps create thick, chunky cookies that hold their shape and have a slightly buttery crunch.
1 cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds moistness and a deep caramel flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate.
½ cup granulated sugar: For that crisp edge that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior.
2 large eggs, room temperature: Binds the dough and gives the cookie a rich, tender texture.
1 ½ cups cake flour: Keeps the cookies light and tender, giving them that bakery-quality crumb.
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Adds structure and chewiness without toughness.
1 teaspoon cornstarch: Helps create softness in the cookies by tenderizing the dough.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Leavens the dough just right, allowing a slight rise to keep cookies thick.
½ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: Lots of melty, rich chocolate isn’t just an option—it’s essential.
2 cups walnuts, roughly chopped: Adds that signature Levain Bakery crunch and nutty depth.

How to Make Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This simple prep lets you focus on the dough without worrying about the mess later.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cold butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mixing on medium speed for about 3 to 4 minutes will create a light, creamy texture that forms the perfect base for your dough.

Step 3: Add the Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter mixture. This gradual addition helps the eggs fully incorporate, keeping your dough smooth and balanced. Remember to scrape the sides of your bowl to ensure everything mixes evenly.

Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and kosher salt. This step ensures all dry elements are evenly distributed and will help prevent any clumping when you blend the wet and dry ingredients.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture while running your mixer on low speed. Mixing just until combined is key here to avoid overworking the dough, which could make the cookies tough instead of tender and fluffy.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Walnuts

Gently mix in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and roughly chopped walnuts until every bite promises a perfect nibble of chocolate and nutty crunch. These add both texture and rich flavor that define the Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.

Step 7: Portion and Chill the Dough

Divide your dough into 9 generous portions—roughly 6 ounces each, about the size of a small softball. Shape each into a rough ball without flattening and place them on your lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to up to 24 hours to ensure the cookies bake into thick, beautiful rounds.

Step 8: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

When ready, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line three large baking sheets with parchment paper. The high temperature helps create that crispy exterior while keeping the center soft and gooey, just like the original bakery cookies.

Step 9: Bake the Cookies

Place the dough balls about 3 inches apart on the baking sheets—about four per sheet is perfect to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, keeping an eye out so the edges turn golden brown but the centers remain slightly underbaked to retain that irresistible softness.

Step 10: Let Cookies Cool

Once out of the oven, give the cookies 10 to 15 minutes to rest and firm up. This waiting period lets the flavors meld and finishes the texture, making every bite a perfect balance of crispness and chewiness.

How to Serve Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Six thick, round cookies with a rough, bumpy texture sit on a black wire cooling rack placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is pale golden-brown with visible darker chocolate chips and chunks of walnut spread unevenly throughout, giving a mix of light and dark brown tones. Around the rack, scattered walnut pieces and chocolate chips add detail to the scene. In the top right corner, part of a white bowl with a blue rim is visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an extra touch, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the warm cookies before serving. This enhances the deep chocolate flavor and adds a delightful salty-sweet contrast that will make your taste buds sing.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair excellently with a cold glass of milk—classic and comforting. For a grown-up twist, try serving alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cup of rich, freshly brewed coffee to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not turn these cookies into an indulgent dessert sandwich? Slap a generous scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies for a showstopper treat that will earn rave reviews at any gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They maintain their flavor and texture beautifully for up to 4 days, making them perfect to enjoy over several days or share with friends.

Freezing

The cookie dough balls can be frozen before baking. Simply wrap them well in plastic wrap or place in a freezer-safe container. When you want cookies, just thaw the dough overnight in the fridge and bake as directed for fresh-baked perfection anytime.

Reheating

If you want that freshly baked warm cookie feel after storage, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5 minutes. This brings back the soft, melty charm of the Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.

FAQs

What makes Levain Bakery cookies different from regular chocolate chip cookies?

Levain Bakery cookies are famous for being thick, chunky, and fudgy with a perfectly crisp edge, achieved by using a mix of flours, cold butter, and chilling the dough before baking. This creates a unique texture and flavor that stands out from your average cookie.

Can I substitute walnuts with another nut or leave them out?

Absolutely! While walnuts provide a signature crunch and flavor, you can swap them with pecans, almonds, or even macadamia nuts. Leaving nuts out will still yield delicious cookies, just with a different texture.

Why is it important to use cold butter in this recipe?

Using cold butter helps prevent the dough from spreading too much during baking, resulting in the chunky, substantial shape that Levain Bakery cookies are known for. It also contributes to the layered, flaky texture of the cookie.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for golden brown edges with centers that are still slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool, giving you the perfect soft yet crispy cookie texture.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can experiment by swapping the flours with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. However, the texture might vary slightly from the original Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a delightful way to bring one of New York’s most adored cookie sensations into your own kitchen. The balance of crunchy, tender, chocolaty, and nutty bites makes these cookies truly unforgettable. Give them a try—you’ll find yourself baking again and again, sharing with friends, and creating sweet memories with every batch.