Homemade Cookie Mix

Give this wonderful mix along with cookie cutters and the recipes for a Christmas gift.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:

* 5 cups flour
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 2 Tbsp. baking powder
* 2 tsp. salt
* 1 cup solid vegetable shortening
* 1/2 cup butter

Preparation:
In large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well until blended. Cut in shortening and butter with pastry blender, two knives or your hands until the mixture resembles cornmeal and shortening and butter are evenly distributed. Store in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container for up to 12 weeks. When you want to make cookies, measure amount needed and let it come to room temperature before using.

*Recipes*

Sugar Cookies
*4 cups homemade cookie mix
*1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
*1 egg

Combine all ingredients in large bowl until well blended. Divide dough in half, then cover dough and chill at least one hour or until dough is easy to handle. Roll out dough, one half at a time, on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Arrange cutouts 1-inch apart on a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes until cookies are set but not brown. Cool on wire rack.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
*2-1/2 cups homemade cookie mix
*2 tsp. vanilla
*1 egg
*1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
*1/2 cup chopped nuts

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and blend until well mixed. Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 375 oven for 8-10 minutes until cookies are light golden brown. Cool on sheet for 2 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool.

Cookie Press Cookies
*4 cups homemade cookie mix
*3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
*1 tsp. vanilla
*2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix with a fork until blended. Fill cookie press with dough and form cookies 1-2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes until set (cookies should not brown much). Cool 1 minute and remove from cookie sheets. Cool on wire rack.

Spice Cookies
*2-1/2 cups homemade cookie mix
*1 tsp. lemon extract
*1 tsp. ground cinnamon
*1/2 cup raisins
*1/2 cup chopped nuts

Follow directions for Chocolate Chip Cookies. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes until light golden brown.

Peanut Butter Cookies
*2 cups homemade cookie mix
*1/2 cup peanut butter
*1 egg
*1 tsp. vanilla

Follow directions for Chocolate Chip Cookies. Form dough into balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten with a fork dipped in sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Chocolate Candy Cookies
*2 cups homemade cookie mix
*1/4 cup cocoa
*2 Tbsp. water
*1 egg
*1 cup candy coated chocolate pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except candies in large bowl and beat until well blended. Stir in candy. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets 2" apart. Bake at 350 degrees 8-10 minutes until set.