The Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies are a chocolate lover’s fantasy come true. These extra-thick, bakery-style cookies are packed to the brim with melty semi-sweet chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy walnuts, all wrapped up in a deeply fudgy cookie dough. Baked to perfection with crispy edges and soft centers, they deliver that perfect contrast in texture that makes every bite feel luxurious.
Inspired by the iconic New York bakery, this rocky road version takes things up a notch with added texture and flavor. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, weekend treat, or just because you need some cookie comfort, these rich, chewy, and decadent cookies are guaranteed to impress. Serve warm for the ultimate gooey experience or pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to take it completely over the top.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
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1 cup light brown sugar, packed
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1/2 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder
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1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/4 teaspoon cornstarch
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3/4 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
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1 cup mini marshmallows
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3/4 cup chopped walnuts
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Optional: extra chocolate chips and marshmallows for topping
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 410°F (210°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a mixing bowl, cream the cold butter cubes, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 4-5 minutes).
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Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each.
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Add cocoa powder and mix until fully combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
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Fold in chocolate chips, marshmallows, and chopped walnuts.
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Scoop large cookie dough balls (about 6 oz each) and place on prepared baking sheet.
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Top each with a few extra marshmallows and chocolate chips if desired.
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Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are gooey.
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Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 565 kcal | Servings: 8 large cookies
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies: Bakery-Style Indulgence at Home
There’s something undeniably magical about bakery-style cookies, the kind that are sky-high, crispy on the outside, and irresistibly gooey in the center. These Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies embody that magic and more. Inspired by the legendary cookies from the famous New York bakery, this rocky road twist takes an already iconic treat to new heights of decadence.
These cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream: a rich, dark cocoa base studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips, fluffy mini marshmallows, and crunchy walnuts. Every bite delivers a perfect medley of textures, molten chocolate, soft marshmallow pull, and nutty crunch. They’re not just cookies; they’re dessert statements. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or looking to wow guests, these show-stopping cookies won’t disappoint.
The Origins of Levain Bakery Cookies
Levain Bakery, located in New York City, is famous for its larger-than-life cookies that are crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside, and packed with flavor. The bakery has developed a cult following over the years, and it’s not hard to see why. Their signature style is thick, chunky cookies loaded with chocolate, set a new standard in the cookie world.
These Rocky Road Cookies are a homage to that legacy, with a fun twist. The rocky road combination of marshmallows, chocolate, and nuts has long been a classic in ice cream and fudge, and it works just as well, if not better, when folded into a cookie base. This version captures the bakery-style grandeur of Levain’s cookies while playing up the nostalgic flavors of rocky road.
Ingredient Highlights: Why Each One Matters
To achieve the perfect rocky road cookie, every ingredient serves a purpose:
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Cold Butter: Unlike many cookie recipes that call for softened butter, this one uses cold butter. This helps the cookies maintain their chunky, tall structure instead of spreading too much.
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Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The blend of sugars adds both sweetness and texture. Brown sugar provides moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar offers crispness on the edges.
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Dark Cocoa Powder: This is the secret to that rich, deep chocolate flavor. It also gives the cookies their signature dark color and fudgy texture.
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Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melty pockets of chocolate in every bite? Yes, please. Semi-sweet chips add just the right amount of bitterness to balance the sweetness.
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Mini Marshmallows: These little pillows melt into gooey ribbons inside the cookie, adding that unmistakable rocky road flair.
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Chopped Walnuts: Their slight bitterness and crunch offer the ideal contrast to all the sweetness and softness in the dough.
When combined, these ingredients create a cookie that is chewy, melty, crunchy, and indulgently rich, a true multi-sensory experience.
Variations to Try
One of the best things about cookies is how customizable they are. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, try out some of these creative twists:
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Nut-Free Version: Omit the walnuts and add extra marshmallows or substitute with chocolate chunks or toffee bits.
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Extra Fudgy: Add chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chunks instead of (or in addition to) chips for a more intense molten chocolate center.
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Peanut Butter Rocky Road: Replace walnuts with chopped peanuts and add peanut butter chips for a salty-sweet variation.
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S’mores Cookies: Swap walnuts for graham cracker chunks to create a cookie version of s’mores.
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Holiday Edition: Add peppermint chunks or drizzle with white chocolate and crushed candy canes during the holidays.
These variations allow you to make this recipe your own while still honoring the gooey, indulgent spirit of the original.
Tips for Perfect Bakery-Style Cookies
Baking cookies that mimic Levain Bakery’s iconic texture and size isn’t just about following a recipe, it’s about technique. Here are some tried-and-true tips to ensure your cookies turn out bakery-perfect every time:
1. Use Cold Butter
Cold butter, cubed directly from the fridge, is crucial. It helps the cookies keep their tall, chunky shape during baking, preventing them from spreading too thin.
2. Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough cookies instead of tender, chewy ones.
3. Portion Generously
One of the defining features of Levain-style cookies is their size. Aim for large dough balls, 6 ounces is the sweet spot. This size contributes to the soft center and crisp exterior.
4. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)
Though this recipe works without chilling, letting the dough rest in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour can help the flavors develop and enhance the texture.
5. Watch the Bake Time
These cookies should be slightly underbaked when they come out of the oven. They’ll continue to cook as they rest on the baking sheet. The goal is set edges and a soft, gooey center.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are an indulgent dessert all on their own, but if you want to elevate the experience, here are a few serving ideas:
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With Ice Cream: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla, salted caramel, or peanut butter ice cream for a cookie sundae.
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Drizzle It: Add a chocolate or caramel drizzle on top for extra decadence.
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Sandwich Style: Use two cookies to sandwich a marshmallow fluff or ganache filling.
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Pair with Coffee or Milk: The richness of these cookies pairs beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a hot espresso.
These cookies are perfect for dinner parties, bake sales, or when you just need to treat yourself. They’re a crowd-pleaser every single time.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Freshly baked, these cookies will last about 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. To maintain their gooey texture, store them with a slice of bread or a piece of parchment paper to absorb moisture.
To freeze, shape the dough into balls and freeze unbaked on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a zip-top bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, just add a few minutes to the baking time.
You can also freeze fully baked cookies. When ready to enjoy, warm them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven texture.
Conclusion
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies aren’t just another chocolate cookie, they’re an experience. With their towering structure, fudgy interior, and irresistible rocky road mix-ins, they deliver the ultimate indulgence in every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a cookie novice, this recipe empowers you to bring bakery-quality decadence into your own kitchen.
They’re ideal for birthdays, holidays, potlucks, or whenever your sweet tooth demands something extraordinary. Best of all, they’re flexible enough to suit your own unique twist, so go ahead, get creative. Once you try them, they’re bound to become a permanent fixture in your cookie repertoire.