Grace | Better Bakes Kitchen

Inspired by Levain-style cookies, these lemon white chocolate cookies are thick, crispy on the outside, gooey in the middle, and bursting with citrusy flavor. A must-try for lemon lovers!
If you love bakery-style cookies with crispy edges and molten centers, these Lemon White Chocolate Chunk Cookies will quickly become a new favourite. Inspired by the viral Levain-style approach, they balance brightness from fresh lemon zest with creamy pockets of white chocolate for the ultimate citrus-meets-indulgence moment 😍.
These cookies aren’t your typical thin, chewy batch—they’re big, plush, and unapologetically decadent. Cold butter keeps the dough sturdy and helps create that signature craggy exterior, while rubbing the zest into the sugar infuses every bite with fragrant citrus oils 🍋. The result? A cookie that’s gooey inside, crisp outside, and loaded with flavour.
Lemon in cookies can often fade during baking, but this recipe locks it in. Fresh lemon zest, a touch of lemon extract, and bright sugar aromatics keep the flavour vibrant all the way through. Paired with velvety white chocolate chunks, it becomes a flavour combo that feels both refreshing and luxurious.
Freezing the dough is key here. Overnight chilling gives each cookie that tall, thick, bakery-style height while keeping the middle soft and gooey. If you love cookies that feel like they came straight out of a New York shop, this method will win you over instantly.
Each cookie weighs around 6 ounces—so yes, these are big. They’re ideal for gifting, snacking with coffee, bringing to gatherings, or enjoying warm straight off the tray with a glass of cold milk. But be warned… once you crack one open and that molten centre appears, it’s very hard not to finish the whole thing.
These cookies shine all year—summer for the citrus vibes, winter for the comforting richness. They’re also perfect for bake sales, weekend treats, or whenever a cookie craving strikes with full force.
If lemon desserts are your love language, this recipe will deliver everything you crave: brightness, sweetness, gooeyness, and a thick bakery-style bite. Whether enjoyed warm or cooled, every piece melts into a perfect balance of citrus and creamy white chocolate.
Enjoy baking—and get ready for cookies that disappear faster than you expect! 🍪✨
Inspired by Levain-style cookies, these lemon white chocolate cookies are thick, crispy on the outside, gooey in the middle, and bursting with citrusy flavor. A must-try for lemon lovers!

Don’t overmix the butter—just mix until smooth.
Rest the dough balls in the freezer overnight for best texture.
Let the cookies cool for at least 20 minutes to set the gooey centers.
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In a bowl, rub lemon zest into the sugars until fragrant.
Add cubed cold butter and mix just until smooth—do not cream.
Add egg yolks, whole egg, vanilla, and lemon extract; mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
Fold in white chocolate chips.
Portion dough into 6 oz balls (makes about 8).
Place on a tray and freeze overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place frozen dough balls on a lined baking sheet.
Bake for 16–20 minutes until golden brown on the edges.
Cool for 20–30 minutes before serving to allow centers to set.
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Serving Size: 1 large cookie (about 170g)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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The Heirloom Pantry's Kat and Alec adapted by JojoM
Catherine Zhang adapted by JojoM