BASIC CAKE MIX COOKIE RECIPE:

1 package cake mix (2 layer size)
1 egg
1/4 cup shortening (like Crisco) or margaarine or butter
2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Blend all ingredients in large bowl. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Ffor 10 minutes.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

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SUGAR COOKIES

1 pkg yellow or white cake mix
3/4 cup shortening or butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk.

Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. roll dough to 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Decorate as desired before or after baking.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 6 to 10 minuts or until edges start to brown. Let cookies cool for several minutes on cookie sheets, then remove to rack to finish cooling. Store in airtight container.

5 to 6 dozen medium cookies

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BONBONS

1 pkg yellow cake mix - 2 layer size
3/4 cup shortening or butter or margarine
Cherries (candied or well drained maraschino), date halves, nuts, gumdrops, large chocolate morsels, etc.
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
Red green and yellow food coloring

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine dry cake mix and shortening until dough holds together. Wrap a level tablespoon dough around filling (a cherry, date half, etc - whatever). Shape into a ball. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes. (Cookies will brown only on bottom; top will be pale.) Cool cookies briefly - about 2 minutes - then remove to racks to cool completely.

Combine confectioners' sugar and milk. Divide into thirds. Tint each with red, green and yellow coloring. Dip tops of cooled cookies in desired frosting.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.

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GLAZED NUT BARS

1 pkg whitecake mix - 2 layer size
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Blend dry cake mix, water, eggs, butter and brown sugar in large bowl. Mix thoroughly by hand or with mixer at low speed (batter will be thick). Stir in chocoalte pieces and nuts. Spread in greased and floured 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan Bake at 375 degree sF for 25 to 30 minuts, or until bars test done with a toothpick.

While warm, decorate with CHOCOALTE GLAZE: Melt 1/4 CUP SEMISWEET CHOCOALTE PIECES with 1/4 CUP WATER. Simmer 3 minutes.

Cut nto bars and store in airtight container.

About 4 dozen bars