The Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies are pure chocolate decadence. Imagine a bakery-style cookie, thick and massive, with a soft, rich center loaded with melty chocolate chips, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy walnuts in every bite. They bake up with crisp edges and chewy centers, making them the ultimate treat for any cookie lover.
Inspired by the iconic New York Levain Bakery, these cookies bring all the indulgence of a classic rocky road dessert straight into cookie form. They’re a showstopper at bake sales, family gatherings, or cozy nights at home with a warm drink. Best of all, they’re surprisingly easy to make with pantry staples. Prepare to fall in love with your new go-to chocolate cookie recipe!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
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¾ cup brown sugar
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
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1 cup mini marshmallows
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¾ cup chopped walnuts
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 410°F (210°C).
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In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream together cold cubed butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
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Fold in chocolate chips, marshmallows, and walnuts gently by hand to prevent marshmallows from melting too soon.
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Scoop dough into large balls (about ¼ cup each) and chill for 15-30 minutes.
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Place cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
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Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 430 kcal | Servings: 10 cookies
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies
Thick, Chewy, Gooey Chocolate Cookies Loaded with Marshmallows and Walnuts
If there’s one dessert that combines nostalgia, indulgence, and bakery-quality bliss in a single bite, it’s the Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookie. This cookie is more than just a sweet treat, it’s a sensory experience that brings together the ultimate trifecta of chocolate, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy walnuts. Originally inspired by the famous Levain Bakery in New York City, this copycat version allows you to recreate those iconic, giant cookies in your very own kitchen. Perfect for cookie lovers and dessert enthusiasts, this recipe offers an irresistible combination of rich textures and bold flavors that make it a standout on any dessert table.
What Makes These Cookies Special?
The Rocky Road cookie is a twist on the classic Levain chocolate cookie, incorporating elements of the traditional rocky road dessert, typically made with chocolate, nuts, and marshmallows. What sets this version apart is its towering height, crispy outer layer, and irresistibly soft, almost brownie-like interior. Every bite delivers contrasting textures, from the soft pockets of gooey marshmallow to the melty richness of chocolate chips, all balanced with the toasty crunch of chopped walnuts.
These cookies aren’t your average flat, thin discs. They’re thick, dense, and require a bit more baking care to achieve their signature look and texture. You’ll want to keep an eye on baking time to ensure the outside gets just firm enough to hold its shape while the inside remains soft and slightly molten.
A Nostalgic Flavor with Gourmet Vibes
The beauty of the Rocky Road cookie lies in its nostalgic charm. The combination of ingredients reminds many of childhood ice cream favorites or s’mores by the campfire. Yet, it still feels elevated and sophisticated—thanks to the deep flavor of Dutch-processed cocoa, quality chocolate chips, and the roasted nuttiness of walnuts. If you’ve ever wanted a dessert that feels both familiar and gourmet, this cookie fits the bill perfectly.
Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters
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Cold Butter: Unlike softened butter used in most cookie recipes, this one calls for cold, cubed butter. The colder temperature keeps the dough dense, which results in those thick bakery-style cookies. It also prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
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Brown Sugar + White Sugar: The combination of sugars adds complexity to the flavor. Brown sugar brings moisture and a rich, caramel-like depth, while white sugar contributes to crisp edges and overall sweetness.
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Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder: This cocoa has a smoother, less acidic taste than natural cocoa powder. It adds intense chocolate flavor and a deep, dark color.
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Mini Marshmallows: These little pillows of sweetness caramelize slightly in the oven, adding a delightful gooey texture and bursts of sugary chewiness.
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Chocolate Chips: You can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, depending on your preference. For even more decadence, you might consider using chocolate chunks for pockets of molten chocolate.
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Walnuts: Their buttery crunch cuts through the sweetness of the chocolate and marshmallows, adding balance and a slightly savory element to each bite.
Tips for Making the Perfect Rocky Road Cookies
1. Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once the dry ingredients are added to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies rather than soft, chewy ones.
2. Chill the Dough Before Baking
Letting the dough rest in the fridge for at least 15-30 minutes before baking allows the butter to firm up again, helping to control spread and intensify the flavor.
3. Space Your Cookies Generously
These cookies are big and need room to expand. Give them plenty of space on the baking tray to bake evenly and not touch each other.
4. Don’t Overbake
They may look slightly underdone when you pull them out, but they will continue to cook on the baking sheet as they cool. Underbaking is the secret to that gooey center!
5. Customize Your Add-Ins
Although walnuts are the traditional choice for Rocky Road, feel free to swap them out for almonds, pecans, or even macadamia nuts. You can also try using flavored marshmallows, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate for a unique twist.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Once baked and cooled, these cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, though they rarely last that long! You can also freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months. Simply let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking as usual.
These cookies are best enjoyed slightly warm, either fresh from the oven or gently reheated in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Pair with a glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an ultra-indulgent dessert.
Perfect for Every Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a party, baking for the holidays, or just treating yourself on a quiet weekend, these Rocky Road cookies deliver every time. They’re big enough to share (though you might not want to), and they look beautiful stacked on a dessert platter or packed into a festive box for gift-giving. Their rustic, chunky appearance hints at the homemade love behind every batch, while their rich flavor profile will satisfy even the most discerning chocolate lover.
Kids love the marshmallow surprise inside, while adults appreciate the sophisticated balance of sweet and savory. It’s a cookie that bridges generations, pleasing both picky eaters and dessert connoisseurs alike.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe has been carefully adapted to replicate the signature Levain cookie texture at home without needing professional equipment. The cold butter and high oven temperature are essential for achieving that iconic cookie structure, crisp outside, gooey inside. Plus, it uses common pantry ingredients, meaning you likely already have everything you need on hand.
Unlike some rocky road recipes that can feel overly sweet or cloying, this one balances sweetness with the richness of cocoa and the earthy flavor of walnuts. The result is a cookie that feels luxurious without being overpowering.
Conclusion
Levain Bakery Rocky Road Cookies are the epitome of indulgence in cookie form. They offer everything you could want in a dessert; rich chocolate flavor, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy walnuts all packed into one thick, chewy cookie. Perfect for special occasions or satisfying everyday cravings, this recipe is one you’ll come back to time and time again.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these cookies are simple enough to master and impressive enough to wow. Bake them once, and you’ll understand why Levain-style cookies have become a viral sensation and a staple in modern baking culture.
So preheat your oven, grab your mixing bowl, and prepare for chocolatey bliss. Your kitchen is about to smell amazing.