Description
These gooey, chunky chocolate chip cookies are inspired by the legendary Levain Bakery in NYC. With crisp edges, a soft center, and loaded with chocolate chips and walnuts, they’re the ultimate bakery-style treat you can make at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, cold
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional; toast lightly for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer or large bowl, cream cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until just combined and chunky.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing briefly after each. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts gently with a spatula or on low speed. If dough is too dry, add 1 tablespoon milk.
- Portion dough into large balls (about 1/4 cup or 70g each). Do not flatten; keep tall and craggy.
- Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, rotating pans halfway, until edges are golden and tops are set but centers are still soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
For best results, use cold butter and eggs. Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies chunky. If cookies spread too much, chill dough for 30 minutes before baking. Walnuts are optional; substitute with pecans or omit for nut-free. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Cookies taste even better on day 2 and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large cookie (about 70g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Levain Bakery, chocolate chip cookies, copycat, chunky cookies, gooey cookies, bakery style, NYC cookies, walnut cookies, easy cookies, homemade cookies