1-First Step: Preheat and Prep Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Soften 1 cup butter at room temp for 30 minutes. Toast 1 cup hazelnuts at 350°F for 8 minutes, cool, then chop. This mise en place keeps you moving fast. For gluten-free, measure 2 cups 1:1 blend now.

2-Second Step: Cream Butter and Sugars Use a stand mixer or hand mixer. Beat softened butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup white sugar on medium for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape bowl sides. This step aerates the dough for tender mini cookies. Vegan? Coconut oil works here too.

3-Third Step: Add Wet Ingredients Beat in 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla until combined, about 1 minute. Mixture should look smooth. For low-calorie, stir in ½ cup Greek yogurt post-creaming to lighten up. Wipe beater clean before next dry mix.

4-Fourth Step: Mix Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, ½ tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt. Gradually add to wet mix on low speed until just combined, avoiding overmix. Dough forms soft ball. Gluten-free bakers, add xanthan gum here.

5-Fifth Step: Fold in Add-Ins Gently stir in 1 cup chopped hazelnuts and ½ cup mini chocolate chips by hand. Use spatula for even distribution. If dough sticky, chill 15 minutes. This preserves nut crunch in baked mini hazelnut cookies.

6-Sixth Step: Scoop and Shape Scoop teaspoon-sized balls (about 1 tbsp each), place 2 inches apart on sheets. Yield: 60 cookies across 3-4 sheets. Flatten slightly if desired. For uniform minis, use a cookie scoop.

7-Seventh Step: Salt and Bake Sprinkle coarse sea salt lightly on each ball top. Bake one sheet at a time, 8-10 minutes until edges golden, centers soft. Rotate halfway for even browning. Cool on sheet 5 minutes, then racks. Vegan dough bakes same time.

8-Final Step: Finishing Touches and Serving Cool fully before storing. Enjoy warm or room temp. Pair with milk or coffee. Double batch for parties. Troubleshoot: If spreading too much, chill dough or add 1 tbsp more flour. These steps make foolproof simple sea salt hazelnut cookies, adaptable for all diets.