Double Chocolate Cookies, New York City's Most Famous Cookie Recipe
Double Chocolate Cookies, New York City's Most Famous Cookie Recipe! is a easy American recipe that serves 12. 200 calories per serving. Recipe by Reinold’s Recipes on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 45 min
Cost: $7.62 total, $0.64 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt (fine sea salt)
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (cold, cut into 1‑inch cubes)
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Egg (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (pure)
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (sifted)
- 1 1/2 cups Semi‑Sweet Chocolate Chips (high‑quality)
- 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips (70% cacao, for extra depth)
Instructions
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the all‑purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
Time: PT5M
Cream Butter and Sugars
Add the cold butter cubes, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar to the stand mixer bowl. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until the mixture is just combined and looks crumbly, about 1–2 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Incorporate Eggs
Add the first egg and mix on low until fully incorporated, then add the second egg and repeat. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Time: PT2M
Add Flavorings
Pour in the vanilla extract and unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix on low until the batter is smooth and the cocoa is fully blended.
Time: PT2M
Fold in Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet batter, mixing on low just until no dry flour is visible. Do not over‑mix.
Time: PT3M
Add Chocolate Chips
Using the rubber spatula, fold in the semi‑sweet and dark chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Time: PT2M
Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 350°F
Portion Dough
Scoop the dough onto a parchment‑lined baking sheet using a 3‑inch ice‑cream scoop, spacing them about 3 inches apart.
Time: PT5M
Bake Cookies
Bake for 12‑14 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops look slightly cracked but the centers still appear soft.
Time: PT12M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 200
- Protein
- 2g
- Carbohydrates
- 25g
- Fat
- 10g
- Fiber
- 2g
Dietary info: Vegetarian
Allergens: Wheat, Milk, Eggs
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Bread Flour, Gluten‑Free Flour Blend
- Instead of Baking Powder: Cream of Tartar (omit baking soda)
- Instead of Baking Soda: Potassium Bicarbonate
- Instead of Salt: Kosher Salt (use less)
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine (use unsalted), Clarified Butter
- Instead of Light Brown Sugar: Dark Brown Sugar (adds more molasses)
- Instead of Granulated Sugar: Coconut Sugar
- Instead of Large Egg: Egg Substitute (e.g., flax egg)
- Instead of Vanilla Extract: Vanilla Bean Paste
- Instead of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Dutch‑process Cocoa Powder
- Instead of Semi‑Sweet Chocolate Chips: Milk Chocolate Chips
- Instead of Dark Chocolate Chips: Bittersweet Chocolate Chunks
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl
- Stand Mixer
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Rubber Spatula
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Oven
- Cooling Rack
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Creaming butter and sugars without over‑mixing
- Adding eggs one at a time
- Mixing in the flour just until incorporated
- Baking time – do not overbake to keep the interior fudgy
Chef Tips from the Video
- Using a combination of semi‑sweet and dark chocolate chips gives depth of flavor
- Cold butter creates a thicker dough that spreads less, yielding a chewy interior
- For a truly Levain‑style cookie, bake a single massive 6‑inch cookie for 20‑25 minutes
Troubleshooting
Cookies spread too thin and become crispy
Make sure the butter is cold and do not over‑mix; chill the dough for at least 15 minutes before baking.
Cookies are underbaked and doughy in the center
Increase bake time by 2‑3 minutes or bake at 350°F until the tops are set and slightly cracked.
Chocolate chips melt and disappear into the cookie
Fold the chips in gently and press a few on top of each cookie before baking.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in a zip‑top bag for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Room temperature: Best consumed within 2 days at room temperature.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Portion the dough onto parchment and freeze the scoops; bake from frozen adding 2 extra minutes to bake time
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping for a cleaner edge
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of double chocolate chip cookies in American bakery culture?
Double chocolate chip cookies, especially the thick, fudgy style popularized by New York’s Levain Bakery, have become an iconic treat representing indulgent American dessert trends that favor oversized, soft‑centered cookies with generous chocolate content.
How did Levain Bakery’s double chocolate chip cookie become a New York City staple?
Levain Bakery opened in 1994 and quickly gained fame for its massive, buttery cookies that stay soft inside. The double chocolate version adds cocoa to the dough and extra chocolate chips, creating a richer flavor that resonated with New Yorkers seeking comfort food after a long day.
What traditional regional variations of chocolate chip cookies exist within the United States?
While the classic chocolate chip cookie originated in the 1930s, regional twists include New England’s chewy, oatmeal‑laden versions, the West Coast’s thin, crispy wafer‑style cookies, and New York’s thick, bakery‑style cookies like Levain’s double chocolate chip variety.
What occasions or celebrations are double chocolate chip cookies traditionally associated with in American culture?
These cookies are popular for casual gatherings, coffee‑break treats, holiday cookie swaps, and as a comforting snack after school or work, embodying the American love for sweet, shareable desserts.
What makes Levain’s double chocolate chip cookie special compared to standard chocolate chip cookies?
Levain’s version uses cold butter, a high flour‑to‑fat ratio, and a combination of cocoa powder plus two types of chocolate chips, resulting in a thick, soft‑centered cookie with a slightly crisp edge—a texture contrast that standard cookies rarely achieve.
What authentic ingredients are essential for an authentic Levain‑style double chocolate chip cookie?
Key ingredients include all‑purpose flour, cold unsalted butter, both light brown and granulated sugar, baking soda, a pinch of salt, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a mix of semi‑sweet and dark chocolate chips. Substitutes can be used but may alter texture and flavor.
What other American bakery treats pair well with double chocolate chip cookies?
Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or with a cup of robust coffee. They also complement other Levain favorites like walnut‑crusted chocolate chip cookies or their famous oatmeal raisin cookie.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making double chocolate chip cookies at home?
Common errors include using softened butter (which leads to thin cookies), over‑mixing the flour (creating tough texture), skipping the chill step (causing excess spread), and baking too long (drying out the fudgy center).
Why does this recipe call for cold butter and a brief mixing time instead of creaming softened butter?
Cold butter slows gluten development and limits spread, giving the cookie its signature thick, chewy interior. A brief mix ensures the butter is incorporated without melting, preserving the desired texture.
Can I make Reinold’s Recipes double chocolate chip cookies ahead of time and how should I store them?
Yes, you can portion the dough onto parchment and freeze it for up to two months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2‑3 minutes to the bake time, or store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
What does the YouTube channel Reinold’s Recipes specialize in?
The YouTube channel Reinold’s Recipes focuses on approachable home baking and comfort food classics, offering step‑by‑step tutorials that emphasize technique, ingredient quality, and reproducible results for everyday cooks.
How does the YouTube channel Reinold’s Recipes’ approach to American bakery treats differ from other cooking channels?
Reinold’s Recipes emphasizes using a stand mixer for consistent dough texture, provides detailed timing cues, and often shares behind‑the‑scenes tips like chilling dough and using cold butter—details that many general cooking channels overlook.
Last updated: August 28, 2026
