Introducing my favourite thick and chewy Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies. These big, buttery chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy and filled to the brim with chocolate.
I am obsessed with these cookies.
And rightly so. These thick and chewy Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies are what my sugar-coated dreams are made of. They’re big, buttery and completely irresistible.
If you love cookies with crispy, golden edges and a melty centre filled with chocolate, these cookies have your name on them ❤️
I just returned home from a holiday in New York two weeks ago. And one of the first recipes I wanted to try to develop when I got back was a copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie.
I finally had the chance to try their legendary – and ridiculously big – cookies. They are famous, not just for their taste, but for their size – 6 ounce each apparently. They have a rustic, golden brown exterior, and buttery middle that’s filled with chocolate chunks and crunchy walnuts.
And yes they were as delicious as they sound and look.
(Finally trying the Chocolate Chip Cookie from Levain Bakery in New York)
I love my Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe but I knew to achieve the thickness of a Levain Bakery style cookie, it was going to need some tweaking. But the results ARE IN.
A few adjustments to the ingredients and the method and you have a big, fat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie that you can make at home. BOOM.
You don’t need any special equipment to make these cookies. In fact, you only need all the basic ingredients of a regular Chocolate Chip Cookie, but you need to follow the instructions carefully for best results.
A big part of the cookie magic has to do with the temperature of the butter. While most cookie recipes rely on softened butter or melted butter, but this recipe calls for cold butter. It helps the cookies not to spread too much in the oven.
Another key is the amount of fix-in’s. There’s alot of chocolate AND nuts in this recipe, just like Levain Bakery’s cookie. It also helps the cookies stay thick and lumpy.
I know everyone has their favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe, but I stand by this recipe. It is legit one of the best cookies I’ve tasted at home!
You will love these Levain Bakery chocolate chip Cookies because:
- They’re extra thick and chewy, with crispy edges.
- They’re filled with good things, like loads of chocolate and chopped walnuts.
- You don’t need to chill the dough so they could be on your table in less than an hour.
- Everyone always loves them!
Tips for making thick chocolate chip cookies
- This recipe calls for COLD butter – straight from the fridge. Not softened or melted.
- Use brown sugar for this recipe for maximum flavour. Brown sugar will also help the cookies spread less in the oven than white sugar.
- These cookie use a little more flour than regular cookies for extra body. You also need to add 1 tablespoon of cornflour (or corn starch) to help keep the cookies soft. If you don’t have any cornflour, you can add an extra tablespoon of plain flour.
- These cookies call for lots of chocolate. I recommend chopping a block of chocolate by hand, instead of using chocolate chips. You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate or a mix of both.
- Levain Bakery cookies have walnuts in them. I have included walnuts in this recipe, but have tried these cookies with other nuts, such as pecans and almonds. The nuts also help the cookies not to spread. If you don’t want to add nuts, you will need to add extra chocolate to help the cookies from spreading.
- I recommend using 2 tablespoons of cookie dough per cookie. Because these cookies are very thick, they need a few more minutes in the oven, until they are golden brown.
- Test one cookie to see if the cookies are thick enough. If it spreads too much, you might want to chill the dough for an extra 30 minutes and then try baking them again.
More cookie recipes to try:
- Chocolate Oreo Cookies
- Cornflake Marshmallow Cookies
- White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Honey Cookies
- Lemon Cookies
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more amazing recipe ideas.
Let’s Bake
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
Super thick and chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies made from scratch.
Ingredients
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, COLD (straight from the fridge), roughly chopped
- 190 grams (1 cup) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, cold
- 245 grams (1 and 3/4 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornflour or cornstarch*
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt, optional
- 225 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) dark or milk chocolate, chopped by hand
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) walnuts, roughly chopped*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Line two baking trays with baking or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add cold butter and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until combined. Add vanilla and egg. Beat again until combined – but try not to over mix.
- Add flour, cornflour, baking soda and salt, if using, and beat on a low speed until soft cookie dough forms. Add chocolate and walnuts and beat briefly.
- Scoop out cookie dough, roughly 2 tablespoons per cookie, and place on prepared oven trays, leaving room for the cookie to spread.
- Bake cookies for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Leave cookies to cool completely.
Notes
*Cornflour: If you don’t have any cornflour (or cornstarch), add an extra tablespoon of flour.
*Nuts: You can use any nut you like (e.g. pecans or macadamias). If you want to leave out the nuts, add extra chocolate. The generous amount of fix-in’s help the cookies stay thick.
Shaping the dough: Instead of rolling the cookie dough smooth with your hands, leave it rough and pieced together for a more rustic look as pictured below.
Thickness: Try baking one cookie initially. If it’s not thick enough, place the cookie dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and try again.
DJ says
I love this recipe, but I was wondering if you’d still recommend this recipe for a stuffed cookie, like Nutella or a marshmallow in the middle?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi DJ, yes for sure!
Ly says
I made these coookies and it turned out great! A question tho, should i really not add salt? Thank you!!!!
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed them! You can definitely add salt if you like!
Patricia says
Hi! I super love your recipe but I tired it twice and it’s not as beautiful as your cookies. I did not spread also. Im noy sure if I added salt. Any tips would be much appreciated 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Patricia, I’m not sure what was different in particular about your cookies? But I have a step by step guide to making these cookies saved to my Instagram Highlights if you want to check it out!
Darlene says
Hi Jessica,
These look so good! One question -When mixing the butter and sugar, should I be creaming them together or just mixing until incorporated?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Darlene, just mix them until combined. If you completely cream them, you’ll make your butter warm and then the cookies will spread more! Hope that helps!
Nargess says
I am so excited and would love to bake these over the weekend. Could you please tell me how many grams or ounces does each cookie dough (before baking) need to be? I don’t understand 2 tablespoons as very spoon is different..
thank you so much ❤️
J. Voss says
I meant to add that 2 measured Tablespoons is the same as 1/8 cup or 1 fluid ounce. (30 mL)
Rosie says
These are the BEST cookies I have ever made. Thank you so much for the recipe!!!
Jessica Holmes says
Yaaay!! Love hearing that Rosie!!
Namrata says
I am allergic to eggs..Can I use any substitute for it?
Jessica Holmes says
I haven’t tested the recipe without eggs, I’m sorry.
Jennifer says
This is my second time making these in as many weeks – love them! I have to threaten my family not to eat more than 2-3 otherwise I won’t get any! I went searching for a big stuffed cookie (these seem to be the latest thing around me) and found this recipe. I’m so happy I did!
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you love them as much as I do Jennifer!!
Sharon B. says
I have made these twice now (within a few weeks) and both times they came out better than any cookie recipe I have EVER used prior. Thank you so much for sharing! The family eats them within hours.
Jessica Holmes says
Aw thank you so much Sharon! I really appreciate your kind feedback.
Yang says
Hi i’m excited to try this recipe! However I am allergic to nuts so I plan to add in more chocolate as you suggested (or perhaps caramel chips since I have them handy!) I happen to only have been able to get my hands on cake flour and self rising flour. No luck for weeks for all purpose flour due to shortage by me. Do you think either of those can work? If so any adjustments on the measurements? Thank you!!
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Yang, excited you are going to try these! Adding in some extra caramel chips sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately I haven’t tried the recipe with cake flour or self raising flour so I can guarantee the result – I’m sorry! Could be worth giving it a go tho!
Inky says
Hi Jessica, noted most recipe call for 2 eggs, but u indicated one. Would it be dry with one egg?
Jessica Holmes says
No they are not dry.
Cee says
Hi, I froze half my mix to bake on another day, would just like to know how long before i plan to bake do I need to take it out of the freezer?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi, just until the cookie dough is thawed and pliable again!
Kaye Lani Flores says
Can I use all purpose flour instead of plain flour? It is very hard to find plain flour, if it even exists where I live.
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Kaye, yes you can swap plain flour for all purpose flour!
Lil says
Finally a foolproof thick and chewy cookie recipe! Tried many others but somehow they did come out flatter. Not this one though, a winner Jessica! Thank you so much. Just can’t wait to actually try the real levain cookies someday, or is it very similar to this cookies eh?
Jessica Holmes says
Aw that makes me so happy! I’m so glad you enjoyed these cookies as much as I do! And yes they are similar!!! And better yet, you can enjoy these straight out of the oven! 😉
Lip says
So nice to get a reply from you. Thanks jessica and stay safe! Hugs from Malaysia… ps: lived in Canada for a good 6 years and downright my favourite place ever haha but am in Malaysia at the moment. Try to embrace and make the most out of wherever I am. C’est la vie.
Ally Kelleher says
Hi there just wondering if you freeze the dough how long does it stay fresh for
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Ally, most cookie doughs keep for up to 3 months. Of course, mine never last that long!
Tae says
Is it ok to use self – raising flour instead of plain flour?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Tae, I recommend sticking with plain flour if you can!