Triple-Chocolate Almond Cookies

START TO FINISH: 30 minutes (20 minutes active)

MAKES: 30 cookies

Almond butter keeps these chocolate cookies moist, fudgy and almost brownie-like. We liked them with sliced almonds pressed onto the tops, but they can be left off, if you prefer. If the dough is very sticky when you try to shape the cookies, allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. As the milk chocolate solidifies, the dough becomes easier to work with.

Don’t forget to stir the almond butter before measuring. And don’t use inexpensive milk-chocolate candy bars, which will make these cookies too sweet and not chocolaty enough. Opt for good-quality bar or chip milk chocolate; we liked Guittard. Don’t forget to stir the chocolate as it melts, and take care not to overheat it, which causes the chocolate to seize.

8 ounces milk chocolate, chopped

130 grams (1 cup) all-purpose flour

160 grams (¾ cup packed) dark brown sugar

16 grams (3 tablespoons) cocoa powder

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

3 large eggs

⅔ cup roasted almond butter, stirred well

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

¾ cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons flaky sea salt (such as Maldon Sea Salt Flakes)

Heat the oven to 350°F with racks in the upper- and lower-middle positions. Line 2 baking sheets with kitchen parchment.

Put the milk chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50 percent power, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely smooth and melted. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Add the eggs and mix thoroughly with a rubber spatula. Stir in the melted chocolate, almond butter, vanilla and chopped semisweet chocolate.

Spread the almonds on a large plate. Divide the dough into 1-tablespoon balls, then lightly press into the almonds, coating one side and slightly flattening them. Arrange 15 of the balls, almond side up, on each of the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Brush the tops lightly with the egg white and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake until the center is set and the edges are no longer glossy, 10 to 13 minutes, rotating the sheets and switching racks halfway through. Let cool completely on the sheets. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.