Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies

Prepare to embark on a delightful baking journey with our recipe for the Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies! If you’ve ever found yourself yearning for a dessert that perfectly marries rich, intense chocolate with creamy, savory peanut butter, then this is the recipe you’ve been searching for. These aren’t just any cookies; they are a masterpiece of texture and flavor, designed to deliver that coveted bakery-style experience right in your own kitchen. Forget about complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients like cake flour – we’re keeping it simple, delicious, and utterly irresistible.

Imagine biting into a cookie with a beautifully crisp exterior that gives way to a supremely gooey, soft, and chocolate-and-peanut-butter-filled interior. That’s the magic of a Levain-style cookie, and we’ve perfected it with this incredible flavor combination. This recipe is more than just a sweet treat; it’s an invitation to create joy, impress your loved ones, and savor every single decadent crumb. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, our straightforward instructions will guide you to cookie perfection.

For those who can’t get enough of the classic chocolate and peanut butter pairing, we have more treats to explore. You’ll definitely want to try this Decadent Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie (Costco Copycat), these amazing Sheet Pan Peanut Butter Chocolate Dream Bars, and our fantastic Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies.

Why These Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies Will Become Your New Obsession

In a culinary landscape brimming with countless dessert options, the legendary duo of chocolate and peanut butter stands unrivaled. It’s a flavor combination that evokes nostalgia, satisfies the deepest cravings, and promises pure indulgence. Our Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies don’t just meet these expectations; they exceed them, delivering an experience that will have you reaching for another before you’ve even finished the first.

• Unforgettable Decadence: Each bite is a symphony of rich dark chocolate and creamy peanut butter, perfectly balanced to prevent either flavor from overpowering the other. The intense cocoa notes are complemented by the salty-sweetness of peanut butter chips, creating a harmonious and addictive profile that caters to every sweet tooth.
• Effortlessly Impressive: Despite their luxurious appearance and gourmet taste, these cookies are surprisingly easy to make. The most challenging part is simply exercising patience – allowing the dough to chill and the baked cookies to cool properly. But trust us, the wait is absolutely worth it for that irresistibly gooey center.
• The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion: Planning to share your baking talents? These cookies are ideal for gifting to friends, family, or colleagues. Their impressive size and delightful texture make them a standout treat that will surely earn you rave reviews and requests for the recipe. They’re more than just cookies; they’re a statement of homemade love and skill.
• A Bakery Experience at Home: Why brave crowded bakeries when you can recreate that coveted artisan quality right in your own kitchen? These cookies capture the essence of famous bakery creations, offering a truly special indulgence without the need to leave your home.

Unveiling the Secret: What Exactly Are Levain Cookies?

The term “Levain cookie” might conjure images of sophisticated baking, but at its heart, it refers to a particular style popularized by the iconic Levain Bakery in New York City. This renowned establishment gained fame for its monstrous, deeply satisfying cookies that are distinctly crispy around the edges while maintaining an incredibly soft, warm, and gooey center. It’s a textural marvel, and it’s all thanks to a distinctive baking approach known as the Levain-style method.

The secret lies in a few key principles. First, these cookies are typically made with cold, sturdy dough. This chilled dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking, allowing them to retain their impressive height and thick structure. Second, they are often baked at a higher temperature for a shorter duration, or sometimes baked one sheet at a time. This technique ensures that the exterior sets quickly and develops that desired crispness, while the interior remains wonderfully underbaked and molten. The result is a magnificent contrast: a firm shell encasing a rich, warm, and often molten core, where chocolate or, in our case, peanut butter chips create delightful pockets of melted goodness.

This baking technique has captivated cookie enthusiasts worldwide, turning the humble cookie into an indulgent, gourmet experience. You might think such a heavenly creation requires a trip to the Big Apple, but we’re here to prove otherwise. With our carefully crafted recipe, you can effortlessly replicate the magic of Levain Bakery right in your own kitchen. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can transform simple ingredients into these epic, bakery-quality treats. So, don’t hesitate! Grab your apron and prepare for a baking adventure that promises rich rewards. Our easy-to-follow Levain recipe empowers you to impress friends and family with cookies they won’t be able to resist. Just a fair warning: these chocolate peanut butter Levain cookies are seriously addictive. Once you experience this recipe, you’ll find yourself yearning for more.

Essential Ingredients for Your Levain Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Crafting these extraordinary cookies requires a selection of high-quality ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving that perfect Levain texture and rich flavor. The best part? No special cake flour is required – simple all-purpose flour works wonders when combined with our secret textural enhancer! Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• 1 cup COLD unsalted butter, cut into slices or cubes: Using cold butter is a cornerstone of the Levain method. It helps the cookies maintain their thick, lofty structure and prevents them from spreading too quickly in the oven, contributing to that signature gooey interior.
• 1½ cups sugar: Granulated sugar provides the essential sweetness and also contributes to the crispness of the cookie edges.
• 2 large eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients, add moisture, and contribute to the rich, chewy texture.
• ½ cup dark cocoa powder: We recommend a high-quality dark cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s Special Dark, for a deep, intense chocolate flavor that contrasts beautifully with the peanut butter.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding warmth and depth to the cookies.
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch: This is our secret weapon for achieving that ultra-tender, soft interior. Cornstarch helps create a delicate crumb and keeps the cookies wonderfully chewy, mimicking the effect of cake flour without needing it.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread slightly, contributing to their impressive volume.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and intensifying the chocolate and peanut butter flavors, preventing the cookies from tasting overly saccharine.
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour: Standard all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure for these robust cookies.
• 3 cups peanut butter chips: These are the star of the show, delivering creamy, melt-in-your-mouth pockets of peanut butter flavor throughout every chocolatey bite. Don’t skimp on these!

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies

Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of heavenly Levain-style cookies. Precision and a little patience are key to achieving that perfect bakery-quality result.

1. Prepare Your Baking Sheets: Begin by lining two standard baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your cookies release easily, making cleanup a breeze. Set them aside for now.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the dark cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed. This prevents pockets of leavening agents or salt in your finished cookies. Set this mixture aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (stand or hand-held), cream together the cold, cubed unsalted butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and noticeably creamy. The cold butter will gradually incorporate, creating a beautifully emulsified base.
4. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Crack the two eggs into the creamed butter mixture, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until all ingredients are just combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage to keep the cookies tender.
5. Add Dry Ingredients and Chips: Gradually add the reserved dark cocoa powder mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Finally, fold in the generous 3 cups of peanut butter chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the rich chocolate dough.

The Art of Chilling and Baking Your Levain Cookies to Perfection

The chilling and baking process is where the true magic of Levain-style cookies happens. These steps are critical for achieving their signature thick, gooey centers and slightly crisp edges.

1. Form and Chill Cookie Dough Balls: Using a ¼-cup cookie scoop, scoop portions of dough onto your prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. For that true Levain-style thickness, place another ¼-cup scoop directly on top of the first, creating a generously sized, ½-cup dough mound for each cookie. Arrange these large dough balls about 3 inches apart on the baking sheet. Once formed, place the entire baking sheet into the refrigerator to chill for 15-20 minutes. This chilling period is non-negotiable for flavor and texture development, and you should yield approximately 9-10 giant cookies from this recipe.
2. Prepare for Baking: While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). It’s important to have the oven fully preheated to ensure an even bake from the moment the cookies enter.
3. Bake the Cookies Smartly: To replicate the bakery method, bake only one sheet of cookies at a time, positioned on the middle rack of your oven. Bake for 8-12 minutes. Begin checking at the 8-minute mark. The cookies should appear mostly dry on top and set around the edges, but the very center should still look slightly soft and gooey. If they need more time, continue baking in 1-2 minute increments until they reach this desired state. Remember, overbaking is the enemy of a gooey Levain cookie!
4. The Essential Cooling Phase: Once baked, resist the urge to move them immediately. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes. This cooling time on the hot sheet is crucial; the residual heat continues to gently bake the cookies, allowing the centers to finish setting just enough to hold their shape while remaining incredibly gooey. Moving them too soon will cause them to break apart, as they are very fragile when hot.

Storing Your Delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies

To keep your Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies fresh and delightful for as long as possible, proper storage is key. Whether you prefer them at room temperature or slightly chilled, these tips will help maintain their incredible flavor and texture.

• Airtight at Room Temperature: For maximum freshness, store your baked Levain cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and soft for up to 5-7 days.
• Refrigeration for Extended Freshness: If you prefer to keep them longer or enjoy a slightly firmer texture, storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator is an excellent option. They can last up to a week or even a bit longer when chilled. Some people even prefer the slightly chewier texture that refrigeration brings!
• Revive with a Quick Warm-Up: For an extra indulgent experience that mimics that fresh-from-the-oven warmth and gooeyness, simply pop a cookie into the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving. This brief warm-up will re-melt the chocolate and peanut butter chips, bringing back that irresistible molten center.
• The Perfect Pairing: Don’t forget the classic accompaniment! These rich cookies are absolutely divine when paired with a cold glass of milk, creating the ultimate comfort food experience.

Expert Baking Tips for Chocolate Peanut Butter Stuffed Levain Cookies

Achieving the perfect Levain-style cookie involves understanding a few key baking principles. These tips will help you master the technique and ensure every batch is a resounding success.

1. The Power of Flour and Cornstarch: The combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch is a game-changer for these cookies. All-purpose flour provides the necessary gluten structure for a hearty, substantial cookie. However, cornstarch adds a unique tenderness and lightness that can’t be achieved with flour alone. It works to soften the gluten in the flour, resulting in cookies that are incredibly thick and huge, yet surprisingly delicate with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. This duo ensures your cookies are chewy without being dense, leaving you craving more.
2. The Magic of Chilled Dough: Refrigerating your cookie dough before baking is a critical step for Levain cookies. This chilling period allows the gluten in the flour to relax, which is essential for a denser, chewier cookie. More importantly, cold dough spreads much slower in the hot oven. This slower spread means your cookies will bake up thicker and taller, rather than flattening out into thin, crispy discs. It’s the secret to that impressive height and maintaining the gooey, underbaked center while the edges turn golden. Never skip the chill!
3. Avoid Overcrowding Your Baking Sheet: It can be tempting to load up your baking sheet with as many cookies as possible, but resist this urge! Levain cookies are large and need ample space to spread and bake evenly. Overcrowding a sheet leads to uneven baking, steam building up, and cookies merging into one giant blob. For optimal results, place no more than 5-6 cookies per standard baking sheet, ensuring at least 3 inches of space between each.
4. The Art of “Underbaking”: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for authentic Levain cookies. Do NOT overbake them! It’s normal for these cookies to look slightly underbaked and soft in the middle when you pull them out of the oven. The edges should be set and lightly golden, but the center should appear very gooey. They will continue to “bake” and firm up significantly as they cool on the hot baking sheet. Trust the process – this intentional underbaking is precisely how you achieve that signature molten, gooey interior that makes Levain cookies so famous and beloved.

Exciting Variations to Elevate Your Cookie Game

While the classic Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookie is perfection, don’t hesitate to get creative! Here are some fun variations to take these already incredible cookies to the next level and truly make them your own:

1. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Explosion: For an even more intense chocolate experience, swap half of the peanut butter chips with an equal amount of high-quality semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. This creates a multi-layered chocolate and peanut butter profile that’s truly explosive!
2. Nutty Buddy Crunch: Introduce a delightful textural contrast by folding in ½ cup of finely chopped roasted peanuts (or even pecans or walnuts) along with the peanut butter chips. The added crunch elevates the mouthfeel and deepens the nutty flavor.
3. Sea Salt Sprinkle: Immediately after taking the hot cookies out of the oven, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the tops. The subtle briny notes perfectly cut through the sweetness, enhancing both the chocolate and peanut butter flavors for an irresistible salty-sweet combination.
4. Reese’s Lover’s Dream: For the ultimate peanut butter cup experience, chop up about ¾ to 1 cup of mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and fold them into the dough alongside the peanut butter chips. These will melt into glorious pools of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite, creating a cookie that will truly blow your mind.
5. Gluten-Free Option: To make these cookies accessible to everyone, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. Ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture. Your gluten-free friends will be incredibly grateful for this delicious adaptation!

In conclusion, these Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies are more than just a dessert; they are an experience. They embody the perfect balance of crispy edges, a delightfully gooey center, and the unbeatable combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter goodness. Whether you’re treating yourself to a solo indulgence or generously sharing them with friends and family, these cookies are guaranteed to be a sensational hit. Remember the essential steps: always chill your dough to achieve that iconic thick texture, and don’t be afraid to experiment with the fun variations we’ve suggested to truly make this peanut butter chocolate Levain recipe uniquely your own. So, preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to mix up some magic! We can’t wait to hear how your magnificent cookies turn out in the comments below. Happy baking, and enjoy every single decadent bite! 🍪

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Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies

By Kim Lange

This recipe for Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Levain Cookies delivers giant, bakery-style cookies with crispy edges and gooey centers. Packed with peanut butter chips and dark cocoa, these indulgent treats are easy to make and perfect for sharing (or not)!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 from 1 vote

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Chill & Cool Time: 50 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Baking, Cookies, Holidays

Servings: 10 giant cookies

Calories per serving: 418 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup dark cocoa powder
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups peanut butter chips

Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer, cream the cold butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and creamy.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed until just combined.
6. Fold in Peanut Butter Chips: Stir the peanut butter chips into the dough until evenly distributed.
7. Form Cookie Dough Balls: Use a ¼-cup scoop to portion dough, then stack a second ¼-cup scoop on top for each cookie (1/2 cup per cookie). You should get 9-10 cookies.
8. Chill the Dough: Place the formed dough balls on the baking sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.
9. Preheat Oven: While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
10. Bake the Cookies: Arrange 5-6 cookies on one lined baking sheet, leaving 3 inches between each. Bake for 8-12 minutes until the tops look dry, but the centers are still slightly gooey.
11. Cool on the Sheet: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes to finish setting. They will firm up as they cool.
12. Enjoy: Serve warm or store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Notes

• Use Cold Butter: Cold butter keeps the cookies thick and prevents spreading during baking.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling enhances the texture and flavor while helping the cookies stay gooey in the center.
• Avoid Overbaking: The cookies may look slightly underbaked in the middle, but they will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

Nutrition Information

• Serving: 1 giant cookie
• Calories: 418 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 57g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 82mg
• Sodium: 243mg
• Potassium: 118mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 30g
• Vitamin A: 615IU
• Calcium: 21mg
• Iron: 2mg

Keywords: baking, chocolate cookies, holiday baking, peanut butter and chocolate, peanut butter chips