Why Levain Bakery Is NYC’s Favorite Cookie Shop

Levain Bakery is one of the most famous spots in New York City to get cookies. Tourists and locals alike flock to its shops in the city to get its giant cookies, especially the chocolate chip walnut. Herrine Ro visited the bakery to speak with the owners, Constance McDonald and Pamela Weekes. They watched how the cookies are made using secret recipes, spoke to customers, and tried out all the cookies.
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Why Levain Bakery Is NYC’s Favorite Cookie Shop

[@coldclearblue6350]

It,’s four dollars, it’s BIG, it has lots of nuts and chocolates, and it’s in new york. So yeah, the price is just fine

[@theriawilliams818]

That's not bad at all

[@jessicamole9421]

Bruh in Switzerland it would be 10 dollars

[@summersunsetgirl2055]

It's better than buying small $4 cookies

[@ye23.]

$4 is cheap for a cookie in australia lol

[@ElFlores1984]

And irs delicious as hell

[@alexjoseph1802]

this woman definitely has the best job ever!

[@alexjoseph1802]

@Guitar_Weeb I completely understand that and respect all her hard work. I was just trying to convey the fact that these parts of her job make it seem like an enjoyable way to earn money.

[@kevdel761]

Ikr? I wanna work for insider

[@SA-wv6tt]

She is a producer at Insider! Herrine Ro Senior video producer, INSIDER Herrine is a senior producer on INSIDER's video team. She produces content primarily for the food and travel verticals. Herrine travels around New York and the wider world, searching for stories ranging from iconic restaurants to outrageous foods. She directs, writes, and hosts for the videos she produces. (source: insider.com)

[@S3lvah]

I know this is unrelated, but can someone explain why "woman" is so commonly misspelled as "women?" The pronunciations are nothing alike, so it can't be explained by the same reasons as other common mix-ups, such as between your/you're or there/their/they're.

[@S3lvah]

@DjL Yeah I know as much, but it seems to happen more often with 'woman' than most other countable words.

[@michaelkahn4983]

Had a cookie from there last night. Yes, they are the best!

[@shivani4824]

Lucky you

[@shivani4824]

@@pythonisa79 wow lol

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

@@pythonisa79 How much lard is in the cookies?

[@emilinne]

@@pythonisa79 woah-

[@allysonnightshade5465]

Lucky..... I'm from a different country....

[@nelsonshi162]

To all those ppl who think these cookies are expensive (and they are): *Welcome to New York, where everything is expensive as hell*

[@TheCrogun]

There are places in New York that are more expensive and give you less cookie. For how thiccccccccccc these are $4 ain't that bad.

[@nelsonshi162]

Crogun true but still pretty expensive for most of us 2nd classers 😂

[@alonzoalfonso8908]

Ok thats true but in some cases LA and hollywood can be really expensive too XD

[@ten10zinG]

Chip is under $4 for a cookie the same size. Go there instead.

[@JohnHausser]

$4 for a big and fresh cookie is not expensive

[@loitran9658]

Imagine a cookie being so good that they have shipping

[@austerbutt3626]

There’s also an ice cream shop that ships across America

[@austerbutt3626]

It’s in New York of course

[@seph1109]

@@austerbutt3626 Fr?

[@austerbutt3626]

ILove GreekMytholoyy yup it’s called ample hills I think this Chanel made a video mentioning it. I think it’s called top 42 deserts you have to try

[@austerbutt3626]

ILove GreekMytholoyy it’s in this vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4e9lXSLZ9R8qLs edit it’s not

[@kovischuster8613]

"Is this gonna be to much chocolate" oh like that's a thing

[@phancius6855]

Agree! "Too much chocolate" is kinda my fetish

[@b.r.e.m.egamez7132]

I dont want to offend you but there IS too much chocolate cuz it can be a little sweet

[@thetiredworm2100]

Yusra Bilal depends what choc you get

[@Jyudee]

Sunny COOKIE Killer* yea.

[@anna.318]

Sometimes if there's too much chocolate chips, you can barely taste the cookie part so then it becomes too much

[@lukiepookie489]

I'm on a diet. Let's watch food insider

[@uniquelee]

I do this Everytime I'm dieting lol

[@preppyprbsims5030]

I hear ya'll. If you're dieting, watch mukbang, you guys.

[@danaimo8010]

NapalmRussian _MGO8 same here🤦‍♀️

[@jcbgy3225]

fr

[@jermainetrainallen6416]

Same bro

[@juleslumbres6246]

I tried these cookies and not to sound snobby but as a pastry cook I'm very sure its a regular chocolate chip cookie recipe with walnuts mixed in and then baked at a higher temp I'm guessing 400-425F thats how the outside is crisp and cooked and the inside stays gooey. Best way to bake a cookie

[@Native-Kitty]

I am a proud Levain cookie snob! I have tried them all, but the chocolate chip walnut cookie is my favorite. If you don’t love their cookies then you don’t want joy in your heart!

[@rizikrizik1395]

I’m a New Yorker and these cookies are not at all overrated. They are as amazing as they look

[@nunuhuda5093]

Why are people saying $4 is so expensive for a cookie? It’s 6 oz guys chill lol

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

Yeah. They are the same tards that complain that the rent in NYC is so much.

[@aladdinbenokba6127]

Come on ! $4 for a cookie, That's a complete rip-off.

[@dt6302]

trust me i've tried it and it's hella big. one cookie is enough to make you full

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

@@dt6302 Yeah if its half lard then its like eating 8 pieces of bacon.

[@greenlawnfarm5827]

@@aladdinbenokba6127 No. In NYC they think its a scam if it doesnt cost 4 times what it should.

[@nancea7713]

Had the two chocolate and oatmeal raisin cookie on Sunday...let me tell u...they are soooo good. Worth the price. Two people can share one cookie with no problem. They don't hold back on the ingredients and they sell them still warm.... U have to try it.

[@prettylittlemissy]

I honestly can’t stop watching this video. I watch it at least once a week 😩😩

[@soren22112]

The first time I heard of these cookies, it was because I was following a copy cat recipe and I was so confused why they had me weigh out the dough to such large weights (for a cookie). The people I gave them to loved it. I found myself in NYC not too long after and decided to try the real thing. Yes, they’re expensive for one BUT they’re so big you’re getting 2 to 3 normal sized cookies in one. Also, the middles are melty for a full 24 hours though pretty delicious even past that though not exactly the same. My homemade version didn’t do that. I have no idea what magic they did to that dough but I would definitely say give it a try when you’re in the neighborhood!

[@MM-yb2fy]

Which cc recipe?

[@VannieEats]

The chocolate chip cookie looks so THICC AND MOIST😍😍

[@misou4107]

it looks so goodddd

[@luisitousi3453]

True true i never treid a cockie befor soo sad 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@umbraheart1]

And with that comment ladies and gentleman goodnight!

[@Flawed_]

Pause

[@umbraheart1]

von spook indeed she just described the exact opposite of everywoman I ever been wit flat and dry as sandpaper :/

[@aaronlesserson339]

Did anyone else realize that she tried the cookies in the same order she ranked them at the end?

[@Anujan_18]

They probably just edited it like that

[@MaddieFishblob]

1:57 they used cookies to fuel their workouts?! WAIT WHAAAAAA???

[@BokorugroRR]

Probably some manufactured backstory but cookies are a great fuel for running - simple sugars, fats, lots of calories, great to digest quickly

[@sleeplesshead602]

I eat many sweet foods before running. Yes it works for fuelling up the stamina.

[@catherinemallol7876]

The absolute best in NYC, I have tried a bunch of cookie spots and this is my favorite. Especially the location by 72nd!!

[@MyDNAAStory]

The smell, texture and taste is amazing... Simply the best! 🍪🍪

[@temlee7865]

Yeah! By the way your DNA 🧬🧬🧬 Videos are great man

[@TheBestOfSweden]

I tried it a few weeks ago while visiting New York. It was great!

[@hak4647]

Why I watch this and I don’t live in America 💀

[@lehonyy2428]

lol same

[@hak4647]

Tu tocayo Braulio yes

[@isaiahmitchell129]

Tu tocayo Braulio becasue it’s the same thing lol

[@enderredacted112]

@@braulio001 that's a dumb question... Lots of things have 2 names USA stands for United States of America Of, AMERICA.

[@hak4647]

Tu tocayo Braulio It’s the same

[@Chosenmonkey]

That biscuit looks amazing

[@sketchios5158]

me knowing that I'll probably never travel in New York and taste this cookie : 😭😭 *lets watch this again*

[@sliverscreencritic]

you can order it; they so in the vid

[@sketchios5158]

@@sliverscreencritic I'm not even in america ...

[@Mason_Malakai_Leroux]

Same

[@wandastokes9891]

That bakery is going to be part of my new York City excursion, I'm trying all 4 and bringing a box home 🍪

[@gtahoer]

Don't say this Easley, but I love this lady ❤️

[@heidisamuel3524]

I made these chocolate chip walnut cookies yesterday from a cookie video posted on KZbin that claims to be the real Levain bakery's recipe...and I must say they are the best cookies I've ever made!

[@icecreamforarab8341]

Could you write the recipe?

[@922sunshine]

I personally want Levain Bakery's Two Chip Chocolate Chip cookies(With semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips and and no nuts) and dark chocolate chocolate chip cookies! 🍪🍪🍪😋😋😋

[@aroundtheworldinaprildays]

I'm so craving chocolate walnut cookies right now! Ugh.

[@HolyGraceProsper]

I had this just before the pandemic on holidays best 5 dollars ever 😭👌🏾

[@amoricalovesnails3249]

Its a CAKE batter DOUGH with corn startch. Almond butter will all so enhance the cookies flavor taking it to the next level. Adding almond butter to the peanut butter cookies brings out the peanut butter.

[@dlikegreen]

I was kicking myself the entire video for not finding out about this place when I visited NYC last fall… god bless Levain for shipping their cookies 😭😩

[@gbcookiesyqr]

The $4 price tag is OK in terms of restaurant pricing and they are equivalent to 4-5 standard choc chip cookies in terms of weight. If you use cheap butter and cheap chocolate at home you're still about $10-12 a batch. Of course they get a bulk order discount but I'd be curious how they would turn out using a high quality European butter and Valrhona chocolate instead.

[@hikariyxmi6119]

The chocolate chip cookie looks amazing

[@umbraheart1]

They are amazing best ever

[@brandongatlin3147]

The cookie dealer makes some dank cookies, small batches but based in New York. Reminds me of this company!

[@user-sf9gs2pg1b]

A quick simple cookie recipe I do when I’m lazy is I get cookie dough at the store, add walnuts, and sprinkle a bit of salt on each cookie. It’s insane how much the sprinkle of salt improves the flavor.

[@dareewalker8602]

Had the pleasure of trying these cookies when Levain open up in my hometown (Bethesda, MD) - I was super excited as my co-worker was the one who told me about these cookies (i had not heard about them prior.) I got one of each flavor and honestly, its way too much cookie for me and too underbaked for my liking. Plus the calories for one was almost 800. So its a hard no for me but my daughter actually liked the oatmeal raisin so I guess different strokes for different folks.

[@TheDopamine998]

The cookie dough is actually made in NYC and shipped around the east coast which is cool

[@HomeCookingJourney]

That looks so tasty! I wish I could visit New York to have that ABSOLUTE DELICIOUSNESS:)) 😋🤩🗽🍪

[@user-vc9or5uc4x]

Eating them as i watch this video. They are worth the hype

[@aeofilmsinc.9768]

They finally opened one in LA (Larchmont Village) The line was 7 blocks long.

[@djnevous3us]

Just got me some the other day 🤤

[@keziahhaug614]

Tbh I prefer crunchier and chewier cookies rather than these big cakey looking ones

[@Nova3482]

Fr

[@nassimanina5292]

Crunchy in the edges chewy in the inside are my favorite, this are so thick

[@Ash_Wen-li]

They're not cakey though. They are crunchy on the outside and moist and tender almost cookie doughy on the inside.

[@kingmuizz708]

Same

[@LoveVanita]

Honestly they look so unappetizing like i don’t understand the hype

[@v7ran]

This is like the 5th levain video they made

[@WesleytheIV]

Actually ate here and this places cookies is really good

[@ltd9792]

They were just extremely sweet and ppl seem to love them. No wonder we have very high rate of obesity and diabetes.

[@jstratus88]

Most people probably only have them once in a while which is fine. Not really a problem unless you're going there every single day. It's okay to treat yourself.

[@vinylartcollectibles]

Visited NY last year! Awesome food over there for sure 🔥 best part of the trip🗽 still find myself thinking of that food lol

[@aloha8827]

I used to think it was gimmicky but i went there and tried them and they’re actually that good and more. I still dream of when they’ll open a location near me.

[@LoveVanita]

Yo ima be pissed if i spend $4 and I’m disappointed 😂 I pass by this place everyday lol

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

That's not a cookie... It's a well-*rounded* meal!

[@umbraheart1]

U the guy who said that bout my mom too...I been looking for you

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

@@umbraheart1 lol oh snap!

[@Unknown-sg4tv]

If I went to cookie shop I would buy cookies to give to my friends and family.

[@djnevous3us]

Oatmeal raisin is 1 of my faves

[@mahadevang2291]

Lovely . I love food insider ❤️❤️😘😘 great work keep it up. 🍻

[@huyenanhninh5491]

There's no such thing as too much chocolate 😍

[@javedbalgobin2958]

I'm feeling so hungry nowww

[@wardahtungekar2243]

I wish that these awesome , delicious cookies were available in Bahrain 😋😋

[@TehCookieNinja]

The double chocolate chip is the best one fite me. Also they added a plain chocolate chip.

[@asgasdg09a8sd]

Went here on my NYC trip and they really were the best cookies I've ever had

[@israelins1]

Very wonderful, very good ,very delicious your the best!

[@MohamedAhmed-wc3pw]

If they made it $3 it would've been perfect. But $4 is way too expensive for that

[@destinyelle7120]

Right

[@marjoriehuang257]

i want to live in new york just so i can eat these cookies

[@ScottRedstone]

I’d forgotten about this shop. Thanks for the reminder.

[@dirkdiggler9482]

She cannot even eat anything without looking so damn cute.

[@xixigardner4534]

Can food insider please do videos on places other than LA and NYC, there are 48 other states that have food too

[@MyKeeP81]

Yeah but those places are trash

[@gl3936]

@@MyKeeP81 I don’t think so. Texas has some bomb @ss food.

[@Southernguy41]

@@MyKeeP81👈🏻Says the person living in either California or New York. 🙄🤡

[@riddhimishmusic]

Disclaimer: don’t watch when hungry

[@uniquelee]

Someone tell me this, how tf do food insider workers have that good skin even after eating all of these so often?😭😭😭

[@double00spazz87]

Should’ve took it somewhere and get some milk 🥛. I’m definitely coming here one day

[@cookwithaqib]

Amazing love your videos, 💕💕💜💜💖💖❤❤❤👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@carolrodriguez9693]

Cuando valla a NY voy a comprar

[@DharshanaR]

why on earth is the DARK chocolate cookie the sweetest?

[@VitoxCzechia]

I thank to creaters for making this video which I enjoyed. :)

[@christenhiggins998]

I'll take two of the chocolate chip walnut and a glass of milk please! 😋

[@aqhr0dite933]

Omg they look so good

[@gabrielrblx838]

This is why i want to move to new york city

[@whengaming9999]

Now THIS looks delicious...

[@kem6429]

Looks delicious. If i get one, I'm chippin in $1 with three other friends--the only way I'm paying $4 for a cookie.

[@callumendean-coyle7847]

The best cookie I’ve ever had!!!

[@mysteryfood8089]

It looks really good.

[@TheAirsoft220]

they're alright nothing crazy. extremely sweet

[@LoveVanita]

They dont even look good so I highly doubt they taste as good as everyone says 😂 its just over hyped

[@CmonInn]

Well it might be costly but if it’s worth it then it’s worth it. In Hong Kong there are cookies that worth up to $10 US

[@azhang5438]

My opinion for my most to least favorite cookie is: 1st: Chocolate Chip Walnut - Of course this is the best selling chocolate chip cookie and I don't mind the walnuts but I still love the chewiness and melt-in-your-mouth cookie. 2nd: Double Chocolate Chip - I do love chocolate but not as dark as the chocolate was. I stick to more of a light side of chocolate but I still wanna try that. 3rd: Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter - I originally love peanut butter when I was a kid but not anymore as I'm a teenager right now. Because I haven't eat peanut butter in the past, I start feeling like disliking it or don't want to taste it anymore. 4th: Oatmeal Raisin - I never eat oatmeals but when I was a kid, I have taste the raisin and I hate it until now I still hate it because of the bitterness and the bad odor of raisins. I know that I love grapes and I understand that raisins came from grapes but I prefer grapes than raisins so that would be my least favorite. But oatmeals are still fine by the way. *PS: Please don't take advantage of my comment. This is just my opinion and this is not meant to offend you guys. I'm just sharing my opinion and I never asked for likes, hearts and pins. I only wanted to see you in the comments but I'm not dragging you just for attention and I'm not letting you reply my at comment. Also pls. don't comment that you don't forgive me or showing hate because I never apologise for you just for my opinion. I don't care if you don't forgive me just for this opinion that offended you. This opinion is not meant for you, it's meant for me. I hope you understand.

[@Joe-ss9cr]

Wow. That *PS part is kind of weird dude. Don't have to write a book about what others should do with your comment on some KZbin video about cookies. Hope you get some help.

[@azhang5438]

@@Joe-ss9cr I understand if that sounds weird but I wrote it a year ago so it's like an old school thing. And I didn't even remembered I wrote this.

[@lehonyy2428]

will try soon!

[@robinafrica3456]

Bristol Farms has “The Cookie” for $2.99!!!

[@collarmole1819]

I love cookies

[@davelebrasseur1739]

Great stuff!!!! try doing a Boston Eats - Champions Pub. Peabody, EZ Pie. Revere, Kanes Donuts. Saugus - and don't forget to get cheese steak and roast beef at any of the thousand sub shops on the North Shore!!!!!!! Remember to get a slice of baklava

[@V1_Ultrakrill]

*Laughs in I have the secret formula from a YT video*

[@arifkhan-nq3db]

I think my favourite will be double chocolate cookie because I love chocolate 🍪🍫

[@JimmiAlli]

Such a big cookie

[@-face.less-]

Merry Christmas

[@mygirldarby]

They only have four flavors? That's unusual.

[@haasithgarapati8261]

I guess having less variety allows them to focus on the few flavors they have, which results in better cookies with fewer options. I think I’d prefer that.

[@nightzn_]

Honestly, thank god they're only four. I'm a very picky person.

[@gissneric]

The more varieties the more inconsistent.

[@reeseruss]

I’ve found that any food place with a very small menu normally is really good because they only sell their specialty. If the menu is massive half the time everything is subpar or you’ll order something that hasn’t been ordered in weeks and it’s screwed up or takes forever.

[@gracelynw6670]

I think their trying to make the best cookies they can so that’s why they only have 4 flavors

[@rainbowluna6365]

I can imagine its taste

[@allisonm625]

i cant be the only who thinks they look too cakey? unless that’s the point and people like it like that.

[@punkyagogo]

I live in NYC and I personally prefer Insomnia Cookies. I just don’t care for the texture of Levain’s (too doughy) and the flavor is the same you’d get from a homebaked cookie.

[@zain6008]

They actually don't feel cakey, just look like that. They still have the gooey texture and its amazing

[@MisteMiner]

Yeah there's two schools of thought on cookies, thin and more chewy or the thicker sort of 'cakier' versions from this place. These thicker cookies are getting more attention lately because they're very instagram-able when you pull them apart and get the money shot lol

[@NatashaaReee]

My thoughts too! I like fudgy, crispy cookies but the hype of Levain makes me question my identity.

[@ladydeanna3775]

They do and to me they don’t look good. I don’t like cakey cookies.

[@OuiCook]

The best COOKIES EVER!

[@Zulyahmed67]

God those cookie prices are jacked.

[@simpleasliam657]

Brookie is definitely a thing lol, had them for years in England

[@cv2633]

People from NYC, is it really that good and the best? Thanks

[@jaimedanies8158]

Yes

[@mikeasllani6972]

Yes

[@saranghae2513]

id prob try get a job there learn the recipe and bake them at home 🌝

[@Daramoons]

It’s look delicious 😋

[@erynnlove6216]

They're in Chicago too.

[@cr9179]

Oh man, was in New York last year and I ate everywhere apart from here! I’m from The UK ☹️

[@kingmuizz708]

Dude I wanna go to NY for these!! (From the UK too)

[@JustineCarissa]

I want one! Or probably 10. Lol 😂

[@jill109]

i want a cookie right now 😩

[@jts1977]

Welcome to Williamsburg, Brooklyn!