Description
Make giant, thick chocolate chip cookies at home that mimic the famous Levain Bakery style, featuring gooey centers, slightly crisp edges, and plenty of chocolate and walnuts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks or large chips
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chunks, milk chocolate chips, and walnuts, if using.
- Scoop the dough using a large ice cream scoop or measure out about 6 ounces (a generous 1/3 cup) of dough per cookie. Roll lightly into a ball.
- Place 4 cookies per baking sheet, leaving significant space between them as they spread. Press down slightly on the top of each dough ball to flatten it slightly into a thick disc shape.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The edges should look set and slightly golden, but the centers should still look soft and slightly underbaked.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the centers to set properly.
Notes
- For the best texture, use high-quality chocolate chunks rather than standard chips.
- Do not chill the dough; these cookies rely on room temperature dough for their signature spread and thickness.
- If you prefer a slightly chewier edge, bake for 1 minute longer.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 55
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 40
- Saturated Fat: 24
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 75
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 120