Levain Bakery Pam and Connie Make Cookies
Levain Bakery Pam and Connie Make Cookies is a medium American recipe that serves 12. 520 calories per serving. Recipe by Levain Bakery on YouTube.
Prep: 45 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 1 hr 12 min
Cost: $9.95 total, $0.83 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened to room temperature, cut into cubes)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
- 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs (room temperature)
- 2.25 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Semi‑Sweet Chocolate Chips (prefer high‑quality chips)
- 1 cup Walnuts (roughly chopped)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Cream Butter and Sugars
In the stand mixer bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Time: PT5M
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the two eggs one at a time, beating briefly after each addition, then pour in the vanilla extract. Mix just until incorporated.
Time: PT2M
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, and salt.
Time: PT3M
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter‑sugar‑egg mixture on low speed. Mix until just combined; the dough will be thick.
Time: PT5M
Fold in Chocolate Chips and Walnuts
Using a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts by hand, ensuring an even distribution of add‑ins throughout the dough.
Time: PT5M
Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions (about 5‑6 ounces each), shape each into a rough ball, and place on a parchment‑lined tray. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight).
Time: PT30M
Preheat Oven
While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 350°F
Bake Cookies
Arrange chilled dough balls on a parchment‑lined baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Bake for 12‑14 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the edges are set but the centers still look soft.
Time: PT12M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool and Serve
Remove the sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 62 g
- Fat
- 30 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian
Allergens: Dairy, Eggs, Wheat, Tree nuts, Soy (in chocolate chips)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine (use only if dairy‑free)
- Instead of Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar, Coconut sugar
- Instead of Granulated Sugar: Caster sugar
- Instead of Large Eggs: Egg replacer (for vegans)
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Bread flour (will make chewier texture)
- Instead of Baking Soda: Baking powder (use 3× amount)
- Instead of Salt: Sea salt
- Instead of Semi‑Sweet Chocolate Chips: Dark chocolate chips, Milk chocolate chips
- Instead of Walnuts: Pecans, Almonds
- Instead of Vanilla Extract: Maple extract
Equipment Needed
- Stand Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Small Mixing Bowl (optional)
- Spatula
- Whisk (optional)
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Cooling Rack (optional)
- Oven Mitts
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Do not over‑mix after adding dry ingredients.
- Evenly fold in chocolate chips and walnuts by hand.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Bake just until edges set; avoid over‑baking.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use high‑quality European‑style butter for richer flavor.
- Let the dough rest at room temperature for 10 minutes after chilling to make shaping easier.
- For an extra crunch, toast the walnuts lightly before folding them in.
Troubleshooting
Cookies spread too much and become thin.
Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, and chill the dough for the full 30 minutes (or longer). Adding a tablespoon of extra flour can also help.
Cookies are underbaked and doughy in the center.
Extend baking time by 2‑3 minutes and verify oven temperature with an oven thermometer.
Uneven distribution of chocolate chips or walnuts.
Fold the add‑ins by hand after the mixer stops; avoid over‑mixing which can cause chips to stick to the bowl.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped dough balls for up to 3 months; bake from frozen, adding 2‑3 minutes to bake time.
Room temperature: Cookies stay fresh for 2 days in a sealed container at room temperature.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the dough balls and freeze them raw; bake directly from the freezer for fresh‑out‑of‑the‑freezer cookies.
- Chill the dough overnight for deeper flavor development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Levain Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies in New York City cuisine?
Levain Bakery, founded in 1995 on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, quickly became a New York institution after a 1997 New York Times article praised its cookies as the best in the city. The oversized, buttery cookies have become a beloved treat for locals and tourists alike, symbolizing the city’s love for indulgent, handcrafted baked goods.
What traditional regional variations of chocolate chip walnut cookies exist within American bakery culture?
Across the United States, bakeries often swap walnuts for pecans, use dark chocolate instead of semi‑sweet, or add oatmeal for texture. Levain’s version is distinct for its massive size, chilled dough method, and the generous ratio of chips to dough, which sets it apart from typical home‑style cookies.
How are Levain Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies traditionally served in New York?
At Levain Bakery the cookies are served warm, straight from the oven, often with a glass of cold milk. They are presented on a simple plate or in a paper bag, allowing the soft interior to stay gooey while the edges stay crisp.
What occasions or celebrations are Levain Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies associated with in New York culture?
These cookies are a popular treat for birthdays, office celebrations, and holiday gatherings in New York. They’re also a go‑to snack for marathon runners and triathletes training in the city, thanks to their hearty size and energy‑dense ingredients.
What makes Levain Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies special or unique in American bakery cuisine?
The combination of a chilled, dense dough, generous amounts of high‑quality chocolate chips and walnuts, and the oversized shape creates a cookie that is crisp on the outside, airy and chewy inside, and exceptionally flavorful—qualities that have earned it worldwide fame.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Levain Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies at home?
Common errors include using melted butter (which leads to flat cookies), skipping the chilling step (causing excess spread), and over‑mixing the dough (which can make the texture tough). Follow the creaming, chilling, and brief mixing guidelines for best results.
Why does this Levain Bakery cookie recipe use a chilling step instead of baking the dough immediately?
Chilling solidifies the butter, slows down spread, and allows the flour to hydrate fully, resulting in a cookie that holds its shape, stays thick, and develops a deeper, buttery flavor during baking.
Can I make Levain Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies ahead of time and how should I store them?
Yes. Shape the dough into balls, wrap each tightly, and freeze for up to three months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies keep in an airtight container at room temperature for two days or in the refrigerator for a week.
What texture and appearance should I look for when baking Levain Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies?
The tops should be golden brown with visible chocolate chips and walnut pieces. The edges will be set and slightly crisp, while the centers remain soft, slightly under‑baked and gooey. The cookies will spread only a little, retaining a thick, mound‑like shape.
What does the YouTube channel Levain Bakery specialize in?
The YouTube channel Levain Bakery focuses on sharing behind‑the‑scenes looks at their iconic bakery items, detailed step‑by‑step tutorials for their famous cookies, and tips for home bakers who want to replicate New York’s most celebrated treats.
How does the YouTube channel Levain Bakery's approach to cookie making differ from other baking channels?
Levain Bakery emphasizes the importance of ingredient quality, the chill‑and‑bake method, and the use of oversized dough portions, whereas many other channels focus on standard‑size cookies or quick mix‑and‑bake recipes. Their videos also highlight the bakery’s community story and New York heritage.
What other New York‑style baked goods are featured on the YouTube channel Levain Bakery?
Besides the classic chocolate chip walnut cookie, Levain Bakery’s channel showcases their oatmeal raisin cookies, dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookies, and seasonal specialty cookies such as pumpkin spice and peppermint chocolate varieties.
Last updated: August 29, 2026
