Levain Bakery and Crate & Barrel Launch Cookie Collection

Levain Bakery, known for its distinctive cookies, has partnered with home goods retailer Crate & Barrel to launch a 17-piece collection of kitchenware and serveware. The collaboration, announced on Tuesday, aims to provide consumers with tools and aesthetically pleasing items for baking and enjoying cookies at home. The collection draws inspiration from Levain Bakery's operational needs and design preferences, combined with Crate & Barrel's manufacturing expertise and focus on functionality.

According to Levain Bakery co-founder Pam Weekes, the bakery previously used Crate & Barrel products to display its cookies due to their clean, simple, and elevated aesthetic. Weekes stated in an interview with Fast Company that they were seeking serveware that was more unique and special than what was available from restaurant supply stores. This led to the development of a comprehensive product line that reflects the bakery's specific requirements. The collection includes items such as plates, glasses, dish towels, spatulas, and mixing spoons. A notable item is the $15 ceramic Mini Crate, which is inspired by the berry box colanders that Levain Bakery has historically used for cookie displays. Another featured product is the $18 Cookie Glass, which is hand-blown, and the $20 Perfect Silicone Cookie Mat, designed to facilitate the creation of Levain-sized cookies in a home kitchen.

The design process involved a close collaboration between the two brands, with Levain Bakery contributing its baking knowledge and visual identity, and Crate & Barrel offering its manufacturing capabilities and understanding of product functionality. Weekes emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, noting that both parties were particular about their preferences. For instance, when the bakery expressed interest in creating a cookie jar, Crate & Barrel leveraged its extensive experience in producing such items. Similarly, when the idea for a bench scraper arose, Levain Bakery's co-founders, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, were able to articulate their specific needs for the tool. They explained that standard bench scrapers from restaurant supply stores are often too large and cumbersome for their operations. Levain Bakery has historically sourced its preferred bench scrapers from France, and these tools, while not expensive, are difficult to replace, as highlighted by McDonald.

The collection aims to bring the Levain Bakery experience into home kitchens, offering a curated selection of items that the bakery's co-founders would personally use. The partnership signifies a strategic move for Levain Bakery to extend its brand beyond its baked goods and into the lifestyle category, while for Crate & Barrel, it represents an opportunity to collaborate with a popular food brand and tap into the growing market for home baking and entertaining products. The full 17-piece collection is now available, allowing customers to recreate the Levain Bakery aesthetic and functionality in their own homes.