Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
There’s nothing quite like the warm, gooey goodness of a freshly baked Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies to make your day better. I still remember the first time I tried these delightful cookies at a little bakery in New York. Each bite was an indulgent explosion of rich chocolate paired with the satisfying crunch of toasted walnuts. It felt like a hug from the inside out. Since that day, I’ve been on a mission to recreate that magic in my own kitchen. Baking these cookies isn’t just about making a treat; it’s about bringing joy to friends and family. When I bake a batch of Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies, the whole house fills with a buttery aroma that draws everyone in. Trust me, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to sneak a bite or two while they cool. These cookies are perfect for sharing or enjoying all by yourself. So, let’s dive into this delicious adventure together!
Recipe Snapshot
1 hr 9 mins
45 mins
24 mins
Medium
220 kcal
2 g
Gluten-Free, Low FODMAP
11 g
Wooden Spoon, Mixing Bowl, Chef’s Knife, Whisk, Baking Sheet, Oven
What’s Great About This Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
Irresistible Texture
The moment you sink your teeth into a Levain Chocolate Chip Cookie, you experience a delightful contrast between the soft, chewy center and the slightly crisp edges. This texture is achieved by underbaking the cookies just enough to keep them gooey inside while ensuring the exterior is perfectly golden brown. It creates that iconic experience that makes each bite unforgettable.
Rich Chocolate Flavor
What makes these cookies truly special is the generous amount of dark chocolate chips. The chocolate melts beautifully as the cookies bake, creating luscious pockets of molten chocolate. The balance between the sweetness of the cookie dough and the rich, slightly bitter chocolate is a match made in heaven. You’ll find that each cookie feels like a lavish treat.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s a cozy night in, a birthday celebration, or simply an afternoon pick-me-up, these cookies fit right in. They’re versatile enough to be an everyday treat but decadent enough to impress guests. Serving Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies at gatherings guarantees smiles all around, making you the star of the show!
Simple Ingredients
Despite their gourmet appearance, these cookies are made from simple, wholesome ingredients. You likely have most of them in your pantry already. Flour, butter, sugar, and eggs come together in a beautiful union to create this beloved cookie. The addition of wonderful walnuts provides a satisfying crunch and depth of flavor. This simplicity means you can whip them up anytime the craving strikes!
Fun to Make
Baking these cookies is an experience in itself. From mixing the buttery batter to shaping the dough into generous mounds, there’s a fun, hands-on element that brings out the child in all of us. Kids love getting involved in this process, whether it’s measuring ingredients or stirring in the chocolate chips. It’s a great way to create lasting memories while indulging in a delicious treat.
Leftovers? Not Likely!
One of the best things about making Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies is that they hardly last long enough to think about leftovers! However, if you do have some left, they can be stored easily in an airtight container. But let’s be honest, once you taste these cookies, you’ll want to share, and sharing means they’ll be gone in no time!
Shopping List for Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
When it comes to the ingredients for Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies, each one plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect cookie texture and flavor. The combination of these ingredients creates a harmonious balance of sweetness, richness, and depth. The star players include bread flour for a chewy texture, unsalted butter for richness, and dark chocolate chips for an indulgent burst of flavor.
- Bread Flour: 3 cups (375g) – This flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps create a chewier cookie. The extra gluten contributes to the structure and texture that makes these cookies so iconic.
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon – This leavening agent helps the cookies rise and get that delightful texture. It creates a lightness that complements the chewy center perfectly.
- Baking Soda: ¼ teaspoon – A crucial ingredient that helps with browning and contributes to the cookies’ spread during baking.
- Kosher Salt: ¾ teaspoon – Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies. A little salt goes a long way in bringing out the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the chocolate.
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (227g), cold and cut into cubes – Using cold butter helps achieve that perfect texture, keeping the cookies thick and chewy. The butter adds a rich flavor that no other ingredient can replace.
- Brown Sugar: ¾ cup (165g) + 4 teaspoons – Brown sugar adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor, making the cookies chewy and soft. The extra texture and taste make these cookies so irresistible.
- Granulated Sugar: ½ cup (100g) – Adds sweetness, and when creamed with the butter, it helps create a fluffy texture.
- Eggs: 2, cold, lightly beaten in a separate bowl – Eggs act as a binding agent and add moisture to the cookies, contributing to their chewy texture.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: 1½ cups (270g) – This ingredient brings a rich chocolate flavor that is essential for a chocolate chip cookie. The dark chocolate melts beautifully and adds a luxurious touch.
- Walnuts: 1 cup (117g), toasted and coarsely chopped – These nuts add a delightful crunch and flavor, complementing the chocolate perfectly. They’re optional but highly recommended!
Recipe Directions for Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
Making Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies is a fun and rewarding process, and you’ll be amazed at how simple it really is! Follow these steps closely, and you’ll have a batch of warm, gooey cookies in no time. Let’s get started!
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and help them bake evenly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the bread flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. This mixture will provide the structure and flavor for your cookies, so make sure everything is well combined.
- In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the unsalted butter on medium speed until it comes together in one cohesive mass, which takes about 1 minute. This is the foundation for your cookie batter.
- Add both the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the butter and continue to beat for another 1 to 2 minutes. You want all the sugar to be fully incorporated, creating a fluffy mixture.
- Gradually add the eggs and vanilla, mixing on medium speed until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl once; the batter may look a bit lumpy, but that’s okay.
- Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low and gradually add in the flour mixture. Mix until just a little bit of flour remains, which will ensure your cookies are perfectly chewy.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the dark chocolate chips and walnuts until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Divide the cookie dough into 12 even pieces, roughly shaping them into balls. The dough should not be smooth, which helps create the unique texture of these cookies.
- Place the cookie balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the cookies to maintain their shape while baking.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Make sure it’s well heated before you bake the cookies.
- Once the oven is ready, bake the cookies for 18 to 24 minutes, or until they are light golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them; you want them to be baked but still gooey inside.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature!
- For leftover cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They won’t last long, but if they do, you’ll want to keep them fresh!
Things Worth Knowing
- Cooling Time: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet sets their structure. Moving them too soon can result in a mess.
- Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain the shape and enhances the flavor, making for a thicker cookie.
- Ingredient Temperature: Use cold butter and eggs. Cold ingredients help create a rich texture by not melting too quickly in the oven.
- Batch Size: If you want to bake fewer cookies, freeze the excess dough balls. They can be baked straight from frozen; just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Helpful Hints
When making Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies, a few helpful hints can ensure your cookies turn out perfect every time. Here are some tips I’ve gathered over my baking adventures:
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them soft and chewy for days.
- Freezing: You can freeze cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Just bake them straight from the freezer when the craving hits!
- Pairing: Enjoy these cookies with a glass of cold milk for the classic experience, or try them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
- Variations: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as semi-sweet or milk chocolate, based on your preferences.
- Oven Calibration: Ensure your oven is properly calibrated. Each oven can have slight differences in temperature, which can alter baking times.
- Mixing Method: Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour. This can lead to tough cookies instead of the desired chewy texture.
Accompaniments for Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
When it comes to enjoying your freshly baked Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies, there are numerous ways to savor them. Here are some delightful pairings and occasions to consider:
- With a Glass of Milk: The classic pairing of cookies with milk never fails. Dipping a warm cookie in cold milk is pure bliss!
- For Celebrations: These cookies make a perfect addition to birthday parties or special gatherings. They’re sure to impress guests and bring smiles.
- Seasonal Events: Enjoy these cookies year-round! They’re perfect for cozy winter nights or summer picnics alike.
- As a Dessert Bar Option: Serve Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies as part of a dessert bar. Add some brownies, fruit tarts, or other sweet treats for variety.
- Gift Giving: Package these cookies beautifully and give them as a thoughtful gift during the holidays or as a sweet surprise for friends.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: For a fun twist, make ice cream sandwiches with these cookies. Just sandwich your favorite flavor of ice cream in between two cookies for a delicious treat.
FAQ
Conclusion
The magic of Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in their incredible texture and mouthwatering flavor. Each bite is a delightful experience that combines gooey chocolate with a soft, chewy cookie. I encourage you to try making them yourself; they’re sure to impress everyone around you. Baking brings joy not only to those who eat but also to those who create. So gather your ingredients and get started on this delicious journey today!
Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Chef's Knife
- Whisk
- Baking Sheet
- Oven
Ingredients
- 3 cups Bread Flour 375g
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Baking Soda 0.25 teaspoon
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher Salt 0.75 teaspoon
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter 227g, cold and cut into cubes
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar 165g, plus 4 teaspoons
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar 100g
- 2 eggs Eggs cold, lightly beaten in a separate bowl
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1½ cups Dark Chocolate Chips 270g
- 1 cup Walnuts 117g, toasted and coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the bread flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the unsalted butter on medium speed until it comes together in one cohesive mass, about 1 minute.
- Add both brown sugar and granulated sugar, and continue to beat for another 1 to 2 minutes, until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the eggs and vanilla and continue beating on medium speed until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl.
- Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the flour mixture until just a little bit of flour still remains.
- Stir in the dark chocolate chips and walnuts with a rubber spatula.
- Divide the dough into 12 even pieces, roughly shaping them into balls.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bake for 18 to 24 minutes, or until light golden brown on top.
- Let cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Tip 1: While dark chocolate chips mimic the original recipe, you could also use semisweet chocolate chips.
- Tip 2: You can omit the walnuts for allergy purposes or personal preference.
- Tip 3: To get cookies all the same size, I recommend using a scale for weighing out the dough.
