This is a great gift for a friend who enjoys baking. Make the basic cookie mix and give it to your friends and family along with the recipes for making different cookies using the mix. Give the mix and recipes alone or make a basket with a jar of cookie mix and recipes. Add small containers each with a different ingredient such as chocolate chips, pecans, granola, peanut butter and raisins. You can also add things like cookie cutters, an apron, pot holders etc.

Basic Cookie Mix

• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups shortening

In a very large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator. Mix may be stored up to 6 months in the freezer. Give with recipes for the following Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and Granola Cookies.
Yield: 11 1/2 cups cookie starter

Granola Cookies

• 1 cup Cookie Mix
• 1 cup granola cereal
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together first 3 ingredients. Add egg and vanilla; stir until smooth. Fold in raisins. Drop by teaspoons onto a greased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: about 2 1/2 dozen cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups Cookie Mix

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine first 4 ingredients; beat until smooth. Add Cookie Mix; sitr until a soft dough forms. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: about 3 dozen cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, sofened
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups Cookie Mix
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth. Add Cookie Mix; stir until a soft dough forms. Fold in chocolate chips and pecans. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: about 3 dozen cookies