Proof Creating A Copycat Levain Cookie Recipe
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Dec 11, 2025 Andrea Geary, Deputy Food Editor at America's Test Kitchen and passionate baker, teams up with Angelica Quintanilla-McCall, an Associate Producer and reporter, to unveil the secrets behind crafting a perfect Levain-style cookie. They dive into the intricate process of testing dough formulas and fine-tuning flavors, from analyzing the cookie's texture to experimenting with chilling methods. After a series of trials and blind taste tests, their recipe triumphs, showcasing the balance between gooey interiors and crisp exteriors, captivating bakers everywhere.
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Assigned The Levain Cookie Challenge
- Andrea Geary was assigned to recreate Levain's giant chocolate chip walnut cookie for America's Test Kitchen.
- She approached the task with skepticism about trends but dove into testing to understand the cookie's appeal.
Field Trip Revealed Texture Goals
- Andrea visited Levain's Seaport shop and described the cookies as ginormous with a crunchy exterior and gooey interior.
- That field visit made her focus on textural contrast as the key trait to replicate.
Add-Ins Control Cookie Spread
- Andrea discovered dough composition alone didn't control height and spread as expected.
- She learned the massive amount of chips and walnuts actually limit spread by clinging to the dough.