Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
Thick, gooey chocolate chip cookies with toasted walnuts, inspired by the famous Levain Bakery style. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 29 minutes layers (1 1/2 sticks), cold unsalted butter, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 tbsp (1 1/2 sticks), cold unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut 12 tbsp cold unsalted butter into small cubes and place in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup packed light brown sugar to the butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Step 4: Add 1 large egg and 2 tsp vanilla extract to the bowl and mix gently until just combined; the dough will be thick and chunky.
- Step 5: Fold in 1 1/4 cups bittersweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts evenly throughout the dough.
- Step 6: Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, form 6 large mounds of dough per baking sheet spaced about 3 inches apart. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked.
- Step 7: Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies take to make?
Total time is about 29 minutes (15 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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