Levain Bakery, founded in 1995 on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, became famous for its massive, thick cookies that are crisp on the outside and gooey inside. The cookies have become a New York staple, often cited as a must‑try treat for tourists and locals alike.

While the classic Levain cookie features dark chocolate chips and walnuts, some New York bakeries offer variations with white chocolate, peanut butter, or oatmeal‑raisin. Outside of NYC, bakeries may swap walnuts for pecans or add sea salt flakes for contrast.

The authentic cookie is served warm, straight from the oven, often on a simple paper plate. It is meant to be broken apart with the hands, revealing a molten interior, and enjoyed with a cold glass of milk or coffee.

These oversized cookies are popular for casual gatherings, birthday parties, and as a comforting treat during the colder months. In New York, they’re also a favorite “after‑work” snack for office workers.

Its size, the contrast between a crisp, caramelized crust and a soft, almost under‑baked center, and the use of a scone‑like dough technique set it apart from typical thin, crunchy cookies found elsewhere in the United States.

The authentic recipe uses cold unsalted butter, a blend of all‑purpose and cake flour, dark chocolate chips, and coarsely chopped walnuts. Acceptable substitutes include European‑style butter, semi‑sweet chocolate chips, or pecans if walnuts are unavailable.

Common mistakes include over‑mixing the dough, using softened butter, skipping the chilling step, and baking multiple trays simultaneously without a heat buffer, which can cause burnt bottoms and flat cookies.

Baking at a high 375 °F creates a rapid crust. The double‑tray method prevents direct contact with the oven floor, protecting the bottom from burning while still delivering the intense heat needed for a golden edge.

Yes. Form the dough balls, wrap each tightly, and freeze for up to two months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the bake time, or refrigerate for 2 hours before baking.

The YouTube channel Delish specializes in approachable, trend‑focused cooking videos that blend classic comfort foods with modern twists, offering step‑by‑step tutorials for home cooks of all skill levels.

Delish emphasizes clear visual cues, precise measurements (often using a scale), and practical tips like chilling dough and using a heat‑buffer tray, making bakery‑style recipes achievable in a typical home kitchen, whereas many channels focus more on artistic presentation than reproducibility.