It’s time for 12 Days of Cookies, Food Network’s annual virtual cookie swap. Each day, visit us here on FN Dish for a peek at new holiday cookies, party-planning tips and top techniques for rolling, spooning, slicing, baking and decorating delicious sweet treats to give — or keep — from favorite Food Network chefs. Visit Cooking Channel’s blog for even more great takes on holiday baking from Cooking Channel chefs and Food People alike.

For the indecisive dessert eaters amongst us, whoopie pies are the ultimate holiday present. A combination cookie and cake, they boast a decadent, frosting-like filling sandwiched between light and fluffy pies. Alex makes indulgent dark chocolate whoopie pies that are laced with lemon zest and fills them with a rich cream, made with egg yolks and almond-infused milk.

Get Alex’s Dark Chocolate Whoopie Pies With Toasted Almond Cream recipe and check out 12 Days of Cookies for dozens more recipes and baking inspiration. Then, join the conversation: Tell us what you’re baking this holiday season and what your all-time favorite cookie is.

Related reading:

• Find recipes for our Top Holiday Cookies and bake up a batch in your kitchen.
• Learn How to Decorate Cookies like the pros.
• Celebrate the season by hosting your own cookie swap. Watch how Food Network stars pull off the ultimate holiday party.