Cooking Channel is joining Food Network for our first annual cookie swap, 12 Days of Cookies. Each day, visit us here for a look 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 chefs and Food People. Then visit FoodNetwork.com/12daysofcookies for great takes on holiday baking from Food Network chefs — cookies by the dozen to celebrate all season.

They're almost too beautiful to eat ... almost. But once you take the plunge, the delicious, crumbly cookie meets the sweet sweet caramel and you're in cookie heaven.

Matt Armendariz makes his Salted Caramel Almond Thumbprint Cookies by housing a gooey well of caramel inside a buttery, nut-crusted almond cookie, then finishes them off with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. It's a sophisticated treat for a sophisticated palate.

• Make Matt's Salted Caramel Almond Thumprint Cookies.
• See who's joining in: Laura Calder, Nigella Lawson, Chuck Hughes and more.
• Food Network is swapping cookies, too.
• Check out more of Matt's recipes on Cooking Channel.
• Share your Holiday cookie pix with us on Facebook.

Melanie Rehak, author of Eating for Beginners, has been baking cookies since she was old enough to climb onto the kitchen stool. She's partial to Zimtsterne—cinnamon stars—for the holidays, but loves most cookies all year long.