Since we aren't doing Christmas gifts this year, we've put a big emphasis on the food.

Let's be real: We would've put a big emphasis on the food no matter the gift situation.

We've spent a bit extra on ingredients in our attempt to recreate meals we've had in Christmases past. Maybe our bellies will think we're back home for Christmas.

So in this spirit, I thought I'd surprise Kyle with chocolate cookie sandwiches. They are a staple in his house at Christmas, so delicious, and pretty simple to make. These cookies are made from Devils Food cake mixes - and the Betty Crocker cake mix was even on sale at our grocery store!

(Interesting fact, cake mix boxes here contain the frosting packet - you don't have to pay separately! Excellent idea. Take note, America.)

I didn't need the chocolate frosting provided, so I bought the ingredients to make my own cream cheese frosting. I even found food coloring so I could tint the cookie sandwiches green and red, just like Kyle's always had them!

I returned home and quickly set to work.

I mixed up the cookie batter and it looked perfect. While my first batch of cookies were in the oven, I began to cream the butter and cream cheese to make the frosting.

My kitchen felt like it had been transformed into Santa's workshop.

The cookies were cooling. Of course I had to test one (or four) to make sure it tasted just right. The frosting was looking good, I just needed to color it red and green.

I opened the red food coloring, and noticed that instead of a squeeze bottle with a tiny, spill proof nozzle, it was just a regular bottle with a wide mouth. On the side was a warning to not spill, as it might stain - I made a mental note of this. I poured in a couple drops, then set the bottle down on a napkin in case some dripped down the sides. Then I began mixing it in, and oh it was just wonderful.

But of course, I didn't close the red bottle all the way. And of course, my hand somehow slipped and I knocked the bottle over and red food coloring spilled all over the white counter top, white floors, white cabinets, and the stove. 

Using colorful language, I quickly went into go-mode. I threw the hotel kitchen towels down and they were immediately soaked blood red. We don't have any paper towels, so I used as many napkins as possible. It must be a Christmas miracle because there is no permanent stain. (Except a bit in the grout, but hopefully housekeeping can work some magic and won't ask any questions.) My hands were pink the rest of the day, and all four of our kitchen towels look as though I used them to commit murder.

I stopped taking pictures of the cookie baking process.

But the mess was cleaned, the dishes were put away, and Kyle was delighted to find the chocolate cookie sandwiches!