The Complete Cookie Copycat (5 Flavors!)

I’m a huge fan of Lenny and Larry cookies – I love their taste and soft-baked texture so much that I decided to take on a little challenge: creating a homemade version!

Since Lenny and Larry’s cookies contain many weird ingredients (chicory root fiber, vegetable glycerine, and more) as well as undisclosed “natural flavors” and gums, it was not an easy task to replicate them perfectly.

After tens of tests, I can proudly say that my recipe yields cookies that are 90% similar to the original ones in terms of texture and flavor! They taste so good that I have even stopped buying the brand at the store! My wallet couldn’t be happier.

⭐️ Why This Recipe Works

Soft-baked perfection.

Like the store-bought ones, these cookies have the perfect soft-baked texture. Each bite is chewy, tender, and buttery, with slightly crispy edges. Furthermore, they are easily customizable to your taste by playing with the add-ins and flavorings!

Protein-packed.

With around 14g of protein in each cookie, they will keep you full for a long time, making them the perfect treat to bring during your treks or outdoor activities (I’ll admit it: I mostly enjoy them while sitting on the couch).

Minimal ingredients. No chilling is required.

If you thought this recipe would be complicated with many steps and a long chilling time, you couldn’t be further from the truth. You will only need about 10 ingredients, 15 minutes of prep time, and no need to chill the dough – the cookies can be baked right away!

📘 What Is Complete Cookie?

If you have never heard of it, “The Complete Cookie” is a cookie made by the commercial brand Lenny & Larry. Their cookies are high-protein, tender, chewy, and highly appreciated. They are also pretty huge, measuring a bit more than 4 inches in diameter.

You can usually find them sold individually, and they come in many different flavors.

🧈 Ingredient Notes

Flour

You don’t need to use any specific flour for these cookies. Regular all-purpose flour works perfectly here.

Protein powder

To add a boost of protein, I rely on vegan protein powder. If you have baked with protein powder before, you may be thinking that it will make the cookies powdery or sandy. No need to worry – I use only a small amount so that it doesn’t significantly alter the texture of the cookies.

Recommendations: I suggest using a vegan protein powder that doesn’t contain any sweetener. Otherwise, you might find the cookies a bit too sweet. Also, note that the type and brand of your protein powder will alter the final taste of your cookies. I personally use a protein powder made from pea isolate and vanilla, but any mild-tasting protein powder will work.

Rice syrup

The original cookies rely on inulin, invert sugar, and vegetable glycerin for sweetness and moisture. Those are quite hard to find, so I choose to use brown rice syrup, also known as malt syrup, as a replacement. Since it is a thick liquid sweetener, it does two things. First, it helps the dough hold together better. Second, it adds a ton of moisture to the texture and keeps the cookies soft for days.

Please note: Brown rice syrup is a type of refined sugar, and there are some controversies around it. I am obviously not making the healthiest cookies here, but they are still better than the store-bought version. Are cookies supposed to be perfectly healthy anyway? 🙂

Butter

Vegan butter adds richness and a delicate buttery aroma to the cookies, giving them that bakery-style flavor we all love so much.

Note: Any vegan butter will work. You can use homemade vegan butter or store-bought. When it comes to store-bought brands, I like Country Crock, Earth Balance, or Violife.

Baking powder

To help the cookies rise slightly.

Guar gum

Because protein powder makes the cookies a little bit more crumbly, I had to rely on guar gum to prevent them from falling apart. Guar gum is often used in gluten-free baking thanks to its thickening and binding properties. It also helps retain more moisture, preventing dry cookies.

Where to buy: You can find guar gum in most well-stocked supermarkets (Whole Foods or Walmart, for example) or buy guar gum online.

Chocolate chips

Since these cookies are quite big (about the same size as the originals), I prefer to use regular-size chocolate chips as opposed to mini chocolate chips. However, any chocolate chip will work, so feel free to use your favorite.

Vanilla extract

For a gourmet and floral aroma. Use a good quality vanilla extract for optimal flavor.

Caramel extract

Through testing, I discovered that adding a small amount of caramel extract to the dough gives the cookies a flavor closer to the originals. If you don’t have caramel extract, simply omit it. It’s optional.

🥣 How to Make It

1. Whisk together the wet ingredients. Add the vegan butter, brown rice syrup, sugar, vanilla extract, and caramel extract to a mixing bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved and everything is well combined.
2. Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour, vegan protein powder, baking powder, guar gum, and salt. Mix again until it forms a thick dough. Stir in the chocolate chips and stir again.

3. Shape into cookies. Divide the cookie dough in half and roll it into balls using your hands. Press down each ball on the prepared baking sheet and shape it into two large 4.5-inch (11.5 cm) cookies. They should be about 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) thick. Note: The cookies won’t spread, which is why you have to give them their final shape before baking.
4. Bake. Bake the cookies for 8-9 minutes or until just golden brown. Do not over-bake them. You want soft-baked cookies that are still tender and chewy.
5. Let them cool. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before transferring to a plate or container.

☕️ What to Serve Them With

You can serve these cookies as is or dip them into a glass of vegan milk such as hazelnut milk, peanut milk, or banana milk!

Oh, and they are also perfect for making ice cream sandwiches! Simply sandwich vegan vanilla ice cream between two cookies and freeze for a few hours before enjoying!

💬 FAQ

If you are a fan of Lenny & Larry cookies, you will love this Complete Cookie copycat recipe! These cookies are soft, perfectly chewy, and have the perfect balance of vanilla and caramel flavors!

🍪 More Cookie Recipes

Perfect Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft Thumbprint Cookies (3 Flavors!)

Homemade Oreo Cookies (Vegan)

Chocolate Coconut Cookie Thins

⭐️ Did you like this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Note: This recipe was first released in September 2021 and updated with new content and detailed instructions in November 2024.