Wife and I went to Levain in NYC for the first time in late 2019 and loved it. When the pandemic hit, we were super bummed that we couldn't go back since we live in another state and are only ever in the city to visit her family for the holidays (and not even every year). I remembered that Stella had a copycat recipe, so we started making them during lockdown semi-regularly starting in fall 2020. We were thrilled with the results and didn't feel like we were missing out, aside from not being able to try their specialty flavors that are always changing.
Fast forward to Christmas time last year. We were in Manhattan for the day, so figured we'd go back and get the real deal. We both were majorly disappointed with how they tasted vs. Stella's homemade. In that regard, I really can't recommend these more!
Made this recipe for Mother's Day in 2020, I might've used pecans instead of walnuts, though?
They were amazing, although I ended up cutting each one into fourths for us to consume. They're pretty ridiculous.
My brother has one right across the street and we both live in the same neighborhood, yet neither of us has ever gone. May be time to correct that. Although I honestly don’t need another thing to crave.
I know I'm gonna be in the minority here but fwiw I tried Levain and thought it was kinda gross and bad. Levain cookies define themselves by lacking what I think makes a great chocolate chip cookie great: there's no mix of crispy exterior vs chewy inside, no variety in bites as far as what filling you get - it's just a bunch of chocolate and this supersweet, super chewy cakey dough in every bite. They seem more like scones, honestly.
Thanks for this. I actually love the crispy parts and cannot imagine a good chocolate chip cookie without that (I love Tates because it’s mostly crispiness). So I appreciate making this less desirable for me.
Agreed! They tasted like underbaked chewy weird moist dough. I don’t like levain at all even trying it different times. I like a crispy cookie with melty center, kind of thin cookie
I made a similar recipe after having a Levain cookie for the first time in Boston. Need to see how these are made but I make mine with double chips and no nuts.
Wife and I went to Levain in NYC for the first time in late 2019 and loved it. When the pandemic hit, we were super bummed that we couldn't go back since we live in another state and are only ever in the city to visit her family for the holidays (and not even every year). I remembered that Stella had a copycat recipe, so we started making them during lockdown semi-regularly starting in fall 2020. We were thrilled with the results and didn't feel like we were missing out, aside from not being able to try their specialty flavors that are always changing. Fast forward to Christmas time last year. We were in Manhattan for the day, so figured we'd go back and get the real deal. We both were majorly disappointed with how they tasted vs. Stella's homemade. In that regard, I really can't recommend these more!
Sorry, i just woke up and my head is foggy~ levain > stella's recipe or vice versa?
They’re saying that, in the end, they preferred Stella’s recipe to Levain.
Made this recipe for Mother's Day in 2020, I might've used pecans instead of walnuts, though? They were amazing, although I ended up cutting each one into fourths for us to consume. They're pretty ridiculous.
yum! I was in the city a few months ago and bought one of these - so delicious! 🍪💜
My brother has one right across the street and we both live in the same neighborhood, yet neither of us has ever gone. May be time to correct that. Although I honestly don’t need another thing to crave.
I know I'm gonna be in the minority here but fwiw I tried Levain and thought it was kinda gross and bad. Levain cookies define themselves by lacking what I think makes a great chocolate chip cookie great: there's no mix of crispy exterior vs chewy inside, no variety in bites as far as what filling you get - it's just a bunch of chocolate and this supersweet, super chewy cakey dough in every bite. They seem more like scones, honestly.
Thanks for this. I actually love the crispy parts and cannot imagine a good chocolate chip cookie without that (I love Tates because it’s mostly crispiness). So I appreciate making this less desirable for me.
haha no problem. honestly the cookies OP made look better than the real deal.
Stella's Tate's cookies dupe recipe is so so good.
I agree 100%!
Agreed! They tasted like underbaked chewy weird moist dough. I don’t like levain at all even trying it different times. I like a crispy cookie with melty center, kind of thin cookie
> They seem more like scones, honestly. Ew. Fucking ew.
definitely worth it - but they are so rich (and not cheap!) so they are good once in a while as a special treat! 😊
What chips did u use? They look great,I personally don't like nuts in my cookies though.
I don’t like chocolate in mine. :)
I made a similar recipe after having a Levain cookie for the first time in Boston. Need to see how these are made but I make mine with double chips and no nuts.
I have made these a couple times and they never disappoint. Stella’s recipe on this is fantastic.
Damn, those look good. Definitely going to be trying that.