On a bright Sunday morning I strolled into a cheery, modern bakery to finally experience something I had waited five years for: eating at Levain Bakery. While I had anticipated this moment for so long, drooling over the pictures and videos I had seen online, I was worried it would not live up to my high expectations. Would this take the place as the best cookie I have ever tasted?
Levain Bakery (meaning “leav- ened bread” in French) sparked from a happy accident by two New York City bread bakers, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald in 1995. While making food to fuel them for their triathlon races, they created the extremely popular, quick-selling giant chocolate chip walnut cookie. Almost 30 years later, Levain Bakery continues to thrive, boasting 9 locations including New York City, Los Angeles and even one in Boston’s Back Bay.
As for how the cookie went viral, most seem to think it began in 2008 on the famous cooking show “Beat Bobby Flay” where founders Pam and Connie won the baking show by creating their signature cookie. Levain cookies then took social media by storm by being ranked the most “Tiktokable” bakery, with its chocolate chip walnut cookie winning the 2022 Sofi Award for Cookies & Snack Bars. Levain has also received numerous accolades from The New York Times, Food Insider, and more. If Levain is expanding this rapidly, surely the bakers must be doing something right! I tried three of their most popular cookies, and put them to the test.
1. Two Chip Chocolate Chip
This was the first flavor I picked out of the sleek box when I sat down outside. I pulled off the wax paper it was wrapped in, and immediately felt the warmth radiating from the thick cookie. The first bite brought a rush of excitement as I crunched into the caramelized edges, while sinking my teeth into the doughy, gooey center. There were warm, decadent chocolate chips (both semi-sweet and dark) in every single bite. No complaints here. 10/10
2. Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip
This dessert is not for the faint of heart, because I don’t think it is possible to shove any more chocolate into this cookie! This creation combined large amounts of chips with an oozing dark chocolate dough. It wasn’t too sweet thanks to the “extra dark French cocoa” used. The dough did have a grainy consistency and was a bit drier, which was not as delicious as the other cookies. But this was a super rich treat that had enough chocolate to satisfy even me, so props to that. 7/10
3. Chocolate Chip Walnut
I was super excited to try Levain’s original cookie, which sounded like a great spin on a classic variety. I am usually hesitant about having nuts in a cookie, but this time it worked. The nuts added a smoky taste, which increased the flavor complexity, and brought in more textural variety. This was a super sophisticated cookie that perfectly elevated the tried and true chocolate chip. I will be back for more! 9/10
Boasting their oversized and overstuffed six-ounce cookies, Levain continues to be a staple in cookie lovers’ lives. After my recent trip, I quickly discovered it would become one of a lifetime of visits to this bakery. Until the next time, I won’t stop thinking about Levain or recommending it enough.
Levain cookies can be shipped directly to your home, bought frozen and ready-to-bake at a grocery store, or purchased at one of their locations.