Name: Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Cold Butter (cut into small cubes); 2 Eggs; 1 cup Brown Sugar; 1/2 cup Sugar; 1/2 cup Dark Baking Cocoa; 1 cup Cake Flour; 1 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour; 1 teaspoon Cornstarch; 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 1 1/3 cup Peanut Butter Chips (can substitute chocolate chips)

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 24 reviews

If you are looking for a cookie that perfectly balances intense chocolate richness with the creamy, nutty goodness of peanut butter, you have to try the Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft and chewy on the inside with a slightly crisp exterior, filled with pockets of melty dark chocolate and peanut butter chips that create an irresistible combination. Every bite delivers deep cocoa flavor contrasted by bursts of peanut butter sweetness, making them a go-to treat whether for an afternoon indulgence or a special occasion. Once you make this recipe, these cookies will quickly become your new favorite comfort snack!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Two dark brown chocolate cookies with chunks of light tan peanut butter visibly mixed inside sit on a white marbled surface. One cookie is whole and flat, showing a smooth yet bumpy texture, while the other is broken in half, revealing a dense, moist, and rich inside with scattered peanut butter pieces throughout. In the background, there is a tall glass bottle filled with white milk, a bar of chocolate with its square segments visible, and a white dish holding a smooth dollop of peanut butter. The overall scene has a cozy, inviting feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe uses a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together harmoniously. Each element plays an important role—from the cold butter giving the cookie that iconic texture to the dark baking cocoa infusing a bold chocolate flavor. The peanut butter chips add that delightful creamy crunch that truly sets these cookies apart.

Cold Butter (1 cup, cut into small cubes): Using cold butter helps create those signature thick, fudgy pockets while preventing the cookies from spreading too thin.
Brown Sugar (1 cup): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note, keeping the cookie chewy and flavorful.
Sugar (1/2 cup): Enhances sweetness and helps with browning for a lovely golden crust.
Eggs (2): Bind ingredients together while adding richness and tenderness.
Dark Baking Cocoa (1/2 cup): Provides that deep, bittersweet chocolate taste essential to this recipe.
Cake Flour (1 cup): Creates a tender crumb, making the cookies soft rather than cakey.
All-Purpose Flour (1 1/2 cup): Gives structure and balance to the delicate cake flour.
Cornstarch (1 teaspoon): Adds softness and helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Baking Soda (3/4 teaspoon): Leavens the dough to a light fluffiness without puffing up too much.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Peanut Butter Chips (1 1/3 cup): The star ingredient, offering pockets of luscious peanut butter flavor in every bite.

How to Make Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Oven

First things first, set your oven to 410 degrees Fahrenheit. This higher baking temperature helps the cookies develop that perfect golden crust while remaining fudgy inside—a key signature of the Levain style.

Step 2: Cream the Cold Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, add your cold cubed butter along with both brown sugar and sugar. Beat them together for about 4 minutes until the mixture transforms into a light and fluffy base. This step is crucial because it creates the right texture contrast between crisp edges and gooey centers.

Step 3: Add the Eggs

Next, crack in your eggs one at a time, ensuring each is incorporated fully before adding the next. Eggs add richness and help bind the dough without weighing it down.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together dark baking cocoa, cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix into your wet ingredients and stir carefully until every bit is combined and the dough is thick and chocolatey.

Step 5: Stir in the Peanut Butter Chips

Fold in the peanut butter chips gently so that they are evenly distributed without breaking up. These nuggets of flavor will melt slightly in the oven, creating those delightful pockets of peanut butter that define this Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Chill your dough in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. This step solidifies the butter again, which helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much during baking.

Step 7: Shape and Bake

Divide the dough into large balls—remember these cookies are generously sized, so you’ll want only about four per cookie sheet. Lightly press the top of each ball to smooth it. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 8 to 11 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown.

Step 8: Let Them Rest

After baking, allow the cookies to rest for at least 10 minutes. This gives them time to set and ensures they don’t fall apart when you pick them up. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

How to Serve Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a thick, soft chocolate cookie that is broken in half, revealing a creamy peanut butter filling oozing out from the center. The cookie has a rough, cracked texture with dark brown tones and bits of peanut visible on the surface. The peanut butter filling inside is smooth and light beige, slightly melting and dripping down. The cookie sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

While these cookies are incredible all on their own, adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after baking can elevate their rich flavors to another level. You can also drizzle a little melted dark chocolate for extra decadence. The contrast of salty, sweet, and bittersweet is absolutely divine.

Side Dishes

Pair your Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe with a cold glass of milk, a creamy cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. The creamy beverage or frozen treat complements the dense, chocolatey peanut butter cookies beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn these cookies into a dessert sandwich by sandwiching a generous dollop of peanut butter or chocolate ganache between two cookies. You can also crumble them over ice cream or yogurt for texture and extra flavor bursts. For a party, stack them on a cake stand with small bowls of peanut butter and chocolate chips to make a fun interactive dessert bar.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to maintain their texture. They’ll remain soft, chewy, and full of that irresistible combo of dark chocolate and peanut butter.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the dough balls before baking, or freeze the baked cookies. Dough balls can be frozen on a baking sheet then transferred to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes. Baked cookies freeze well for up to 2 months, just thaw overnight at room temperature.

Reheating

Warm frozen or stored cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or pop them into a preheated oven at 300 degrees for 4-5 minutes to revive the soft, melty texture. Avoid overheating or you might lose that moist softness that makes the Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe so special.

FAQs

Can I substitute peanut butter chips with regular chocolate chips?

Absolutely! While the peanut butter chips add a unique flavor profile, using dark or milk chocolate chips will still yield delicious cookies. You might miss that peanut butter pop, but they’ll be chocolaty and delightful nonetheless.

Why is the butter cold instead of softened?

Using cold butter helps the cookies maintain their thick shape and prevents them from spreading too thin during baking. It contributes to the signature dense and slightly underbaked texture that Levain cookies are famous for.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make a gluten-free version, try substituting with a reliable gluten-free flour blend that can mimic cake and all-purpose flour. Keep in mind texture may vary, but with some experimentation, you can create a tasty alternative.

How large do I make the cookie dough balls?

Around the size of a generous golf ball or a bit larger is perfect. These cookies are meant to be big and thick, so avoid making small bites—the gooey center is part of the magic!

Is it essential to chill the dough for only 10 minutes?

Ten minutes is enough to firm up the dough for shaping, but if you’re pressed for time, even a quick chill helps. Longer chilling can be done but may make the dough harder to scoop. The key is balancing firmness with ease of handling.

Final Thoughts

If you love a cookie that brings together rich dark chocolate with creamy peanut butter in a thick, gooey, and utterly satisfying way, this Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe is waiting for you to try it. It’s simple to make, uses everyday ingredients, and rewards you with cookies that taste like they came straight from a world-class bakery. So grab your mixing bowl and treat yourself to these heavenly cookies—you won’t regret it!