If you love thick, gooey, bakery-style cookies, these Levain Bakery-inspired NYC Chocolate Chip Cookies are a must-try. They’re packed with chocolate chips, loaded with buttery richness, and baked until the edges are golden while the centers stay soft and delicious.
These oversized cookies are perfect for satisfying a serious chocolate craving. Serve them warm with a cold glass of milk for that classic bakery-style experience right at home.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips, a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
Add the cold cubed butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to a large bowl. Beat until well combined and creamy.
3. Add the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Make the Cookie Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
6. Add the Chocolate and Nuts
Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts or pecans, if using. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Shape the Cookies
Using a large ice cream scoop or your hands, divide the dough into large balls of about 6 ounces each. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving plenty of space between each cookie.
8. Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown while the centers remain soft.
9. Cool
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
For the best experience, enjoy them while they’re still slightly warm and gooey in the center.
⭐ Tips for the Best Bakery-Style Cookies
- Keep the cookies large: The oversized shape helps create golden edges with soft, thick centers.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Mix only until the ingredients are combined to help maintain a tender texture.
- Use a chocolate blend: Combining semi-sweet and milk chocolate gives the cookies a richer chocolate flavor.
- Don’t overbake: The centers should still look soft when the cookies come out of the oven. They’ll continue to set as they cool.
- Leave plenty of space: These cookies spread while baking, so avoid crowding the pan.
🍫 Easy Variations
For extra texture, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough. You can also experiment with different chocolate chips, including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or chocolate chunks.
For a festive version, add seasonal baking chips or a small sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top immediately after baking.
🥛 Serving Suggestions
These cookies are especially delicious served warm with a cold glass of milk. They also pair wonderfully with coffee, hot chocolate, or vanilla ice cream.
For an extra indulgent dessert, place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two slightly warm cookies to make an oversized cookie ice cream sandwich.
🧊 Storage
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several days.
To bring back that fresh-baked texture, warm a cookie in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
You can also freeze the shaped, unbaked cookie dough and bake it later when you’re craving fresh cookies.
📋 Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Servings: 12 large cookies
Category: Cookies & Desserts
Style: Bakery-Inspired American Cookies
❤️ Final Thoughts
These Levain Bakery-style NYC Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver everything you want from an oversized bakery cookie: crisp, golden edges, a thick and soft center, plenty of chocolate, and a rich buttery flavor.
They’re easy enough to make at home but impressive enough to serve at parties, holidays, or whenever you want an extra-special cookie treat.