The first time I sank my teeth into a Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookie, I was transported to cookie paradise. The moment these warm, gooey delights hit my taste buds, I knew I was in for something special. With their rich chocolate flavor, chewy marshmallows, and a satisfying crunch from cashews, these cookies encapsulate comfort and joy in every bite.
Taking inspiration from the legendary New York City bakery, I’ve perfected my copycat version, ensuring that you can enjoy this decadent treat right at home. Whether you’re chasing a sweet fix after a long day or looking to impress friends at a gathering, these Rocky Road Cookies will quickly become your go-to recipe. The process is simple, and the results are nothing short of heavenly—thick, soft, and brimming with flavor. Let’s dive into this cookie adventure together and create something truly special!
Why are Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies a must-try?
Decadent Taste: These cookies are loaded with rich chocolate flavor, fluffy marshmallows, and crunchy cashews that create a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.
Simple Preparation: With just a few straightforward steps, even novice bakers can whip up these delightful cookies in no time.
Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Perfect for sharing, they’re sure to impress guests at any gathering or cozy family night.
Gooey Goodness: The combination of melted chocolate and marshmallows results in a chewy, gooey center that’ll have everyone coming back for more!
Versatile Customizations: Personalize this cookie base with your favorite nuts or chocolate types for a unique twist on this classic treat.
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Ingredients
For the Cookie Base
• Cold Butter – 1 cup, cut into cubes; adds richness and creates a tender texture. Ensure butter is cold for best results.
• Brown Sugar – 1 cup; provides moisture and a deeper sweetness due to its molasses content.
• Granulated Sugar – 1/2 cup; slightly sweetens and adds to the cookie’s crisp edges.
• Large Eggs – 2; binds ingredients and adds moisture.
• Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon; enhances flavor depth.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – 1/2 cup; provides chocolate flavor and contributes to color.
• Cake Flour – 1 cup; creates a softer texture due to lower gluten content, though can be substituted with all-purpose flour if needed.
• All-Purpose Flour – 1 1/2 cups; provides structure and stability.
• Cornstarch – 1 teaspoon; helps create a tender texture.
• Baking Soda – 3/4 teaspoon; acts as a leavening agent; helps cookies rise.
• Salt – 1/2 teaspoon; balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
Add-Ins
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – 1 3/4 cups; adds chocolatey richness to the cookies.
• Mini Marshmallows – 2 cups; adds gooey sweetness—a signature of rocky road cookies.
• Cashews – 3/4 cup, roughly chopped; provides crunch and pairs well with chocolate and marshmallows.
This carefully curated list of ingredients will ensure that your Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies are not just good, but utterly delightful! Enjoy the process of creating these cookie masterpieces!
How to Make Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies
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Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C). This high temperature will create that perfect crisp edge while keeping the center chewy.
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Cream together the cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and creamy, about 4 minutes. This step is essential for a fluffy cookie!
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Add the large eggs and vanilla extract, mixing for another minute until well combined. The eggs contribute moisture and help bind everything together.
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Fold in the dry ingredients: cocoa powder, cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Make sure to mix just until combined to keep your cookies tender!
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Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and chopped cashews. These add a delightful burst of flavor and texture to your cookies!
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Roll the dough into 5-6 ounce balls and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced out to allow for spreading.
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Press extra chocolate chips and marshmallows on top of the cookie balls for that gourmet touch—it’s all about the presentation!
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Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges are set, but the centers look slightly underbaked. This ensures a gooey interior.
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Rest the cookies for 15 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up for the perfect chewy texture.
Optional: Serve with a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent dessert!
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Expert Tips for Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies
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Chill Dough: Chilling the dough for 30-60 minutes helps prevent excessive spreading, yielding thick, chewy cookies like Levain Bakery’s.
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Use Quality Ingredients: Selecting high-quality chocolate chips and fresh marshmallows enhances the overall flavor and texture of your cookies.
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Proper Baking Sheet: Opt for a light-colored baking sheet to promote even cooking and prevent burning from excess heat absorption.
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Monitor Baking Time: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake; removing them while the centers are still slightly underbaked ensures a gooey, delicious texture.
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Customize Your Mix-Ins: Feel free to swap cashews with your favorite nuts or other goodies to make your Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies unique.
Storage Tips for Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies
Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This keeps them soft and chewy.
Fridge: For maximum freshness, you can refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container, enjoying them for up to 2 weeks.
Freezer: Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time for perfectly gooey Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies.
Reheating: If you want a fresh-baked experience later, gently reheat cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds until warm and gooey.
What to Serve with Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies?
Treat your friends and family to a delightful spread that perfectly complements these gooey, decadent cookies.
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Cold Glass of Milk: The classic pairing, milk beautifully cuts through the richness of the cookies, enhancing the flavors.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy and smooth, vanilla ice cream is a luscious addition, perfect for creating an indulgent cookie sandwich.
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Chocolate Sauce Drizzle: A rich chocolate sauce adds an extra layer of decadence that every chocolate lover will adore.
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Fresh Berries: The tartness of strawberries or raspberries contrasts delightfully with the sweetness of the cookies, adding a refreshing element to each bite.
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Coffee or Espresso: The bold flavors of coffee complement the chocolatey richness of the cookies, creating a well-rounded dessert experience. Enjoy them while sitting down with a warm cup for a cozy treat.
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Nutty Crunch Trail Mix: Serve a small bowl of trail mix on the side for texture variety and a healthy element, offering a delightful crunch when paired with the soft cookies.
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Whipped Cream: Light and fluffy, a dollop of whipped cream elevates the cookies, adding a delightful creaminess to each indulgent bite.
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Variations
Customize your Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies to fit your taste perfectly! With just a few swaps, you can elevate these delightful treats to new heights.
- Nut-Free: Omit the cashews entirely and add an extra cup of mini marshmallows for a sweeter, gooey cookie.
- Dark Chocolate Delight: Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate for a richer, bolder flavor profile. The bittersweet contrast will take your cookies to dreamy new levels!
- Fluffy Coconut Ribbons: Mix in 1 cup of shredded coconut for a tropical twist. The coconut adds a chewy, delightful texture that pairs beautifully with chocolate and marshmallows.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon powder for a surprising warmth that balances the sweetness perfectly, giving your cookies a touch of intrigue!
- Cookie Butter Swirl: Gently fold in 1/2 cup of cookie butter for a flavorful twist that adds a luscious creaminess, creating an enticing layer of flavor in each bite.
- Almond Joy: Swap cashews for chopped almonds and throw in a handful of mini chocolate chips, mimicking the flavor of your favorite Almond Joy candy bar. It’s like a nostalgic treat in cookie form!
- Matcha Green Tea: Replace half the cocoa powder with matcha powder for a unique flavor and an eye-catching green hue. This variation will certainly impress your friends with its visual appeal!
- Extra Crunch: Use crushed graham crackers instead of cashews for a beautiful crunch and a hint of sweetness that reminds you of campfire s’mores.
Let your imagination run wild and experiment with these variations to create your own cookie masterpiece!
Make Ahead Options
These Levain Bakery Copycat Rocky Road Cookies are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 24 hours in advance, simply cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it. This allows the flavors to deepen and the dough to firm up, ensuring just as delicious results. Additionally, you can roll the dough into balls and freeze them for up to 3 months; just bake them directly from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. When ready to enjoy, simply bake your cookie balls at 410°F (210°C) as directed, and you’ll have fresh, gooey cookies to delight your family and friends with minimal effort!
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies Recipe FAQs
What type of butter should I use for the cookies?
Absolutely! Use cold, unsalted butter cut into cubes for the best results. Cold butter creates a tender texture and helps achieve that perfect chewy consistency. Make sure not to use softened or melted butter, as that will lead to a flatter cookie.
How should I store the baked cookies?
For room temperature storage, keep your Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want them to last even longer, refrigerate them in an airtight container for about two weeks.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes! I often freeze cookie dough balls for up to 1 month. To do this, roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, simply preheat the oven and bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
What should I do if my cookie dough is too soft?
If your cookie dough seems too soft, don’t worry! Adding an extra tablespoon of flour can help improve its texture. Alternatively, chilling the dough in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes can also firm it up, making it easier to shape and resulting in a thicker cookie.
Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary reasons?
Definitely! If you’re looking to make these cookies nut-free, simply omit the cashews and increase the marshmallows instead. You can also swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate based on your sweetness preference. Always feel free to customize these cookies to suit your tastes and dietary needs!
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies that Will Wow Your Friends
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C).
- Cream together the cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and creamy, about 4 minutes.
- Add the large eggs and vanilla extract, mixing for another minute until well combined.
- Fold in the dry ingredients: cocoa powder, cake flour, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and chopped cashews.
- Roll the dough into 5-6 ounce balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Press extra chocolate chips and marshmallows on top of the cookie balls.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges are set, but the centers look slightly underbaked.
- Rest the cookies for 15 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.