Irresistible Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies Made Easy

Decadent peanut butter chocolate chip cookies have become a sensation among dessert enthusiasts seeking bakery-quality treats at home.

These thick, indulgent cookies draw inspiration from the renowned Levain Bakery’s legendary style of baking.

Home bakers and cookie lovers appreciate the massive, chunky profile that promises a crispy exterior and incredibly soft interior.

The combination of rich peanut butter and premium chocolate creates an irresistible flavor profile that elevates the classic chocolate chip cookie experience.

Carefully selected ingredients and precise baking techniques transform a simple recipe into a gourmet-level dessert that feels luxurious and comforting.

Crafting these cookies requires attention to detail and a passion for creating memorable sweet moments that delight taste buds and warm hearts.

Why You’ll Want Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies Again

• Tackle Bakery-Style Delights: Craft professional-quality cookies at home without professional training.
• Customize Texture Perfection: Create massive, bakery-style cookies with crispy edges and ultra-soft centers that match famous Levain Bakery standards.
• Quick Comfort Treat: Whip up delicious peanut butter chocolate chip cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings.
• Gourmet Reheating Hack: Revive cooled cookies to warm, gooey goodness by microwaving for just 15-20 seconds, maintaining bakery-fresh taste and texture.

What’s Inside Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cookie ingredients together.
• Cake Flour: Adds softness and creates a tender cookie texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cookies.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Add sweetness and help create a chewy, caramelized texture.
• Cold Butter: Ensures proper cookie spread and creates a rich, buttery flavor.

• Whole Egg, Egg Yolk: Bind ingredients and add moisture to the cookie dough.
• Reese's Peanut Butter Chips: Provide bursts of peanut butter flavor throughout the cookie.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help the cookies rise and create a soft, tender texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

How To Make Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies Easily

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F. Grab a baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper for smooth cookie removal.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Cake flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Baking soda

Whisk everything until perfectly blended.

Step 3: Whip Butter And Sugars

• Cold butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Beat everything on medium speed until super fluffy and light – about 2 minutes.

Step 4: Introduce Eggs

Drop in whole egg and extra egg yolk. Mix until completely combined. Scrape mixer sides and beat for another 30 seconds.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

Lower mixer speed. Add flour mixture in three separate rounds. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 6: Fold Peanut Butter Chips

Softly fold Reese’s peanut butter chips into cookie dough.

Step 7: Shape And Bake Cookies

Create massive cookie balls weighing 5.75 oz each. Place 4 cookies per baking sheet. Slide into oven and bake for 11 minutes.

Step 8: Cool And Devour

Let cookies rest for 10 minutes. Enjoy warm and gooey. Pro tip: Microwave for 15-20 seconds later to restore that fresh-from-oven magic.

Tips To Improve Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Master Cold Butter Technique: Use cold, cubed butter directly from the refrigerator to create those signature crispy edges and soft, gooey centers typical of Levain-style cookies.
• Perfect Portion Control: Weigh each cookie dough ball precisely at 5.75 oz to ensure consistent size, shape, and baking performance for professional-looking results.
• Enhance Chocolate-Peanut Butter Flavor: Slightly increase cocoa powder or add a touch of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate notes and complement the peanut butter chips.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose and cake flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising texture.
• Storage Secret: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and softness for several days at room temperature.

Keeping Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months for maximum freshness.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying or reheating.
• Reheat: Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 350°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore that fresh-baked softness and gooey chocolate chips.

What Goes With Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Creamy Milk Companion: Serve with ice-cold whole milk to complement the rich, chocolate-packed cookie. The cool, smooth milk balances the warm, gooey texture and cuts through the intense sweetness.
• Espresso Enhancement: Pair with a freshly brewed shot of espresso or strong coffee. The robust coffee notes perfectly contrast the sweet peanut butter and chocolate flavors, creating a sophisticated taste experience.
• Bourbon Bliss Pairing: Match with a smooth bourbon or whiskey for adult dessert lovers. The caramel and oak undertones of the bourbon beautifully highlight the cookie's nutty and chocolate dimensions.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Indulgence: Top with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth vanilla provides a delightful temperature and flavor contrast to the warm, chunky cookie.

Fun Twists On Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Gluten-Free Cookies: Replace all-purpose and cake flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and rich flavor profile.
• Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based version.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Substitute brown and granulated sugars with monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend, maintaining cookie's decadent taste while lowering overall sugar content.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Exchange peanut butter chips with white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips for those with nut allergies, keeping the cookie's signature indulgent character.

FAQ For Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies

• Why use both all-purpose and cake flour?

The combination creates a more tender, softer cookie texture with better structure and height, giving these cookies their signature bakery-style thickness.

• How do cold butter and specific sugar ratios impact the cookie?

Cold butter helps create a denser, chewier cookie by preventing immediate spreading, while the brown and granulated sugar mix provides depth of flavor and perfect caramelization.

• Why weigh the cookie dough instead of using scoops?

Weighing ensures consistent cookie size, even baking, and professional-looking results with uniform shape and thickness, just like high-end bakery cookies.

• Can I substitute the peanut butter chips?

While Reese’s chips are recommended for best flavor, you can use other brands or chocolate chips, but the taste profile and texture might slightly change from the original recipe.

Tempting Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Massive Levain-Style PB Chocolate Chip Cookies deliver pure comfort with a thick, gooey center packed with rich peanut butter and chocolate chips. Bakery-inspired magic meets homemade goodness, promising pure indulgence you can savor with each extraordinary bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 14 tablespoons (197.75g) unsalted butter, cold & cubed
• 1 whole egg, cold
• 1 egg yolk, cold
• 10 oz. + ⅓ cup Reeses peanut butter baking chips

Flour and Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup (76.6g) cake flour
• ¾ cup (88.5g) dark cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon (4g) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2g) baking soda

Sweeteners and Seasoning:

• 1 cup (220g) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon (6g) kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Create a harmonious dry ingredient blend by whisking flour varieties, cocoa powder, leavening agents, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, setting the foundation for rich flavor complexity.
3. Transform cold butter and sugar combinations using a stand mixer, beating until the mixture becomes airy and light, developing a creamy texture that promises decadent cookies.
4. Integrate eggs into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring complete incorporation by scraping mixer sides and blending thoroughly to create a smooth, cohesive base.
5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed to prevent overmixing and maintain the cookies’ delicate structure.
6. Gently fold peanut butter chips throughout the dough, distributing them evenly to ensure maximum flavor in every delightful bite.
7. Craft oversized cookie portions by portioning dough into substantial 5.75 oz balls, positioning four cookies per baking sheet to allow proper spreading and golden browning during baking.
8. Remove cookies from the oven after 11 minutes, allowing them to rest and set for 10 minutes, creating the perfect balance between crisp edges and soft, gooey centers.
9. For future enjoyment, briefly warm cookies in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to revive their fresh-baked texture and warm, comforting appeal.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly before baking to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Use room temperature eggs for better cookie consistency and more even mixing.
• Select high-quality unsalted butter with at least 85% butterfat for richer, more robust taste and optimal texture.
• Experiment with different nut butter chips like almond or cashew for unique flavor variations while maintaining similar texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 210mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 40mg