These Levain Bakery-inspired Chocolate Toffee Cookies are the ultimate indulgence for any cookie lover. With a rich combination of semisweet chocolate chips and crispy toffee bits, each bite is a chewy, gooey delight that melts in your mouth.
Perfect for an afternoon treat or a sweet gift, these cookies recreate the bakery-style perfection of Levain’s famous cookies right at home. They’re large, thick, and packed with flavor, making them the ideal cookie to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee or gifting them to a friend, they are sure to become a favorite in your cookie repertoire.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
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1 cup toffee bits
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
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Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
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Stir in the chocolate chips and toffee bits until evenly distributed.
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Scoop large tablespoonfuls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft.
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Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 300 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
A Deep Dive into the Ingredients
The secret to these cookies lies in the quality of ingredients used. Cold butter, which is cubed before mixing, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the cookies maintain their thick and chewy texture. The brown sugar adds moisture, while the granulated sugar ensures the edges become slightly crispy, creating that perfect balance of texture.
The use of dark cocoa powder contributes to the intense chocolate flavor, making these cookies stand out from other chocolate chip varieties. Dark cocoa powder like Guittard’s black cocoa powder is recommended, giving the cookies their signature rich taste. For those looking to deepen the chocolate flavor even more, espresso powder is an optional but highly recommended addition. It brings out the chocolate’s richness without overpowering the overall flavor.
Adding chocolate-covered toffee bits, such as Heath Bars or Skor Bars, ensures the cookies have a delightful crunch and a sweet, buttery contrast to the dark chocolate. The chocolate chips are optional but highly encouraged for an added layer of chocolatey goodness.
Baking Tips for Perfect Cookies
One of the unique characteristics of Levain Bakery’s cookies is their size. These cookies are large and thick, just like the bakery’s originals. To achieve the perfect size, it’s recommended to roll the dough into 6-ounce balls. Weighing the dough with a kitchen scale ensures consistency in the cookie’s size, leading to even baking.
For even better results, using a light-colored baking sheet is important to prevent the bottoms from getting too dark. Another great tip is to double up on the cookie sheets. This will help prevent over-browning while baking.
During baking, it’s crucial to avoid overbaking. The cookies should be slightly undercooked in the center to ensure they stay soft and chewy. Letting them set up for at least 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack ensures they hold their shape.
Espresso Powder: The Game Changer
Espresso powder is an optional ingredient, but it can elevate the cookie’s flavor profile dramatically. A small amount of espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavor, providing a rich and complex taste that makes each bite more indulgent. For those who are not huge coffee fans, the powder is subtle enough that it won’t overpower the flavor, but it can certainly enhance the overall taste.
If you prefer, you can skip the espresso powder, but it’s worth experimenting with it to see how it complements the chocolate and toffee flavors.
Customizing the Recipe
While the original recipe calls for specific ingredients, this cookie dough is versatile enough to be customized based on what you prefer or have on hand. If you’re looking for a different texture, you can experiment with different types of cocoa powders, such as a more traditional Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which will give the cookies a slightly different flavor profile.
You could also swap out the chocolate-covered toffee chunks for other mix-ins, such as caramel bits, chopped pecans, or even white chocolate chunks for a contrasting flavor. However, the toffee adds an irreplaceable sweetness and crunch that elevates these cookies to another level.
How to Serve and Enjoy
Levain Bakery’s chocolate toffee cookies are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, where the chocolate is still melty, and the toffee has that delightful crunch. But don’t worry if you have leftovers! These cookies store beautifully in an airtight container, staying soft and chewy for days.
They pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or even hot chocolate for the ultimate indulgent treat. You can also break them up and add them to ice cream for an extra sweet dessert or gift them to friends and family to share the love.
The Levain Bakery Legacy
Levain Bakery, based in New York City, has built a reputation over the years for creating some of the most mouth-watering cookies in the world. Their oversized cookies, particularly the chocolate chip walnut variety, have become iconic. The bakery has inspired countless home bakers to replicate their recipes, and this chocolate toffee version is no exception.
Many who visit Levain Bakery for the first time are immediately taken with the large, warm cookies. Their texture, size, and taste are unforgettable. By recreating this cookie at home, you can experience that same joy without having to leave your kitchen. The beauty of these cookies lies in their size and richness. Each bite is dense, but the balance of chocolate and toffee offers a moment of pure bliss.
Conclusion: A Cookie Worth Baking
Levain Bakery’s Chocolate Toffee Cookies are more than just a dessert; they are an experience. From the rich chocolate to the crunchy toffee bits and the perfect chewy texture, every component of this cookie is designed to deliver maximum flavor and enjoyment. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is sure to impress anyone who tries it.
These cookies are perfect for any occasion—be it a family gathering, a party, or a cozy night at home with a glass of milk. With a few simple ingredients and a little attention to detail, you can create a batch of cookies that rivals those from the famous Levain Bakery. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the best chocolate toffee cookies you’ve ever tasted.