Tiny, Salty, Chocolaty Cookies

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Begin by preheating your oven to the required temperature, which will vary depending on your oven model. While you wait, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies won't stick.

2. Brown the Butter

In a small pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Watch as the butter transitions from a golden to a brown color and begins to foam, releasing a rich, nutty aroma. This browning process is crucial as it infuses the cookies with a deep, caramel-like flavor that balances the sweetness of the confectioners' sugar and the bitterness of the cocoa.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until they are well combined. This dry mixture forms the base of your cookie's texture and taste profile.

4. Add Eggs and Butter

Fold the egg whites and whole egg into the dry ingredients using a spatula until just combined. Then, pour the warm, browned butter into the bowl, gently mixing it with the other ingredients. The warm butter will help to slightly cook the eggs, creating a smoother dough and helping to spread the flavors evenly throughout.

5. Stir in Chopped Chocolate and Nuts

Now for the heart of your cookies: stir in the chopped bittersweet chocolate and, if desired, the finely chopped nuts. The high-quality chocolate will melt slightly as it hits the warm dough, creating pockets of gooey richness in every bite, while the nuts add a satisfying crunch.

6. Prepare Cookies for Baking

With a spoon, drop dollops of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Don't worry about perfection; the cookies will naturally spread into shape as they bake. Before sliding them into the oven, finish each cookie with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, which will not only enhance the chocolate flavor but also add a delightful contrast to the sweet and bitter notes.

7. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 6-8 minutes or until they have flattened and look baked through. Keep a close eye on them; the short baking time is intentional to achieve that perfect balance between a tender center and a slight crispness around the edges.