Levain Bakery, founded in New York City in 1994, became famous for its oversized, thick, and gooey cookies. The Double Dark Chocolate Chip version is a fan favorite because it intensifies the chocolate flavor while keeping the signature soft‑centered texture that defines Levain’s brand.

While Levain’s cookies are a New York staple, other regions have their own takes: San Francisco’s “Bowl‑Cut” cookies are often thinner, and the Midwest favors oatmeal‑chip versions. The core concept—large, soft‑centered cookies—remains consistent across the U.S.

In New York, these cookies are typically served warm, straight from the oven, often with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the rich chocolate flavor.

They are popular for casual gatherings, birthday parties, and as a comforting treat during the holiday season. Their impressive size makes them a crowd‑pleasing centerpiece for dessert tables.

The combination of a high‑fat butter base, a blend of all‑purpose and cake flour, and a chilling step creates a cookie that is crisp on the edges, airy inside, and intensely chocolatey—something few other American cookies achieve.

Common errors include skipping the chilling step, over‑mixing the dough after adding flour, and using packed measuring cups for flour which adds too much flour and makes the cookie dense.

All‑purpose flour provides structure, while cake flour adds tenderness. The blend yields a cookie that holds its massive shape yet stays soft and crumbly inside.

Yes. Shape the dough balls, wrap them tightly in plastic, and refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze for up to two months. Bake from chilled or frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time if frozen.

The edges should be golden‑brown and slightly crisp, while the tops look set but still a bit glossy. The interior will be soft, gooey, and slightly under‑baked, giving a melt‑in‑your‑mouth feel.

The YouTube channel Hailey Scontrino focuses on approachable home baking tutorials, especially copycat recipes of popular bakery items, with clear step‑by‑step guidance and helpful tips for home cooks.

Hailey Scontrino emphasizes using everyday kitchen tools like a stand mixer and kitchen scale, provides detailed explanations of why each step matters, and often includes troubleshooting and make‑ahead tips that many other channels omit.