This copycat recipe for Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies turns out enormous thick and chewy cookies, loaded with chocolate chips and walnuts, just like the cookies you’ll find at the famous Levain Bakery.

Copycat recipe for Levain bakery chocolate chip cookies

The first time I heard about the Levain Bakery cookies was on an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay eons ago… I bet it was at least eight years ago. I never quite got the picture of those massive cookies out of my mind. I still have never been to Levain Bakery, which also means I haven’t had one of their cookies. Still, they tempted me. I kept seeing copycat recipes for the Levain chocolate chip cookies show up on blogs and Pinterest, and I couldn’t escape them.

I finally decided to go all-in and tackle the massive cookies that I couldn’t stop thinking about. I sifted through the mountain of copycat recipes floating around online and settled on this final recipe. If you like huge, chewy cookies packed with chocolate, then these are your heaven.

Levain chocolate chip cookies on a cookie sheet.

In case you can’t tell from the photos, these cookies are absolutely, positively enormous. As is, humongous.

Even my husband, who loves super-sized desserts as much as I do, couldn’t believe how big these cookies were. The last time I made them, I gave one to him, and he said, “whoa, this is like a massive scone!” Yes, they are big cookies. Yes, they are meant to be massive cookies.

A stack of Levain chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the cookies, but I totally loved them. Aside from being huge, these cookies really deliver in the thick and chewy department. They have slightly crisp edges that give way to a sky-high chewy cookie loaded with dark chocolate and walnuts.

These cookies remind me of a slightly less amped-up version of The New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies.

A stack of Levain chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk.

Big, thick, chewy cookies with tons of chocolate and add-ins are just my speed. Since I’ve never had the real Levain chocolate chip cookies, I can’t tell you how they compare, but I can tell you that these are utterly fantastic cookies that will make you swoon.

Make them and don’t think twice!

Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

One year ago: Rustic Italian Bread
Five years ago: Blueberry Jam

Copycat recipe for Levain bakery chocolate chip cookies

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

A copycat recipe for the famous Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies.
4.44 (48 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (375 g) bread flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon (0.75 teaspoon) kosher salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
  • ¾ cup (165 g) + 4 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs, cold, lightly beaten in a separate bowl
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups (270 g) dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (117 g) toasted and coarsely chopped walnuts

Instructions 

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until it comes together in one cohesive mass, about 1 minute. Add both sugars and continue to beat for another 1 to 2 minutes, until all of the sugar has been incorporated into the butter. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla and continue beating on medium speed until combined, scraping the sides of bowl once (the batter will appear lumpy). Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the flour mixture until just a little bit of flour still remains. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts with a rubber spatula.
  • Divide the dough into 12 even pieces, roughly shaping them into balls (it should not be smooth). Place them,evenly spaced, on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat 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, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • While dark chocolate chips mimic the original recipe, you could also use semisweet chocolate chips.
  • You can omit the walnuts for allergy purposes or personal preference.
  • To get cookies all the same size, I recommend using a scale for weighing out the dough.
Nutritional information based on one cookie
Calories: 346kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 209mg, Potassium: 283mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 510IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 117mg, Iron: 1.1mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

This recipe was originally published on July 17, 2013.