J. F. Lewis - Recipes

Recipes? What are recipes doing on an urban fantasy writer's site?

Members of J's writers' group, Write the Fantastic, have started a tradition of providing cookies to his late-night panels at conventions; just another perk of giving up sleep to meet and greet the author. Lots of people have requested the recipes, so here are some of our favorites. :)

Mama Raley's Easy Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine a cake mix (any flavor) with anything you want to (chocolate chips, nuts, butterscotch chips, etc.).  Add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup oil and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.   Drop by teaspoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.   Cool on pan for 2-3 minutes, let cool completely on baking racks.

Suggestions:

Chocolate cake mix with chocolate chips.
Yellow cake mix with butterscotch chips.
Strawberry cake mix (substitute rum flavoring for the vanilla for daiquiri cookies).
Pillsbury "Funfetti" cake mix makes white cookies with bright sprinkles.

Easy Oatmeal Cookies

1 Spice Cake Mix (I use Duncan Hines)
3 cups oats (3-minute oatmeal)
2 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
½ cup milk
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 cups dried apricots (soaked 10 minutes in warm water)

Mix all ingredients well.  Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet; bake at 350º for about 8 minutes.  Let cool for a few minutes (2-3) on pan, move to cooling rack.

Cool-Whip Cookies

1 cake mix (any flavor) Some of our favorites include chocolate, strawberry, mint (use white cake mix, green food coloring, and mint flavoring), funfetti, and french vanilla.

1 8 oz tub Cool Whip

1 egg

Combine ingredients and drop by spoonfuls into a bowl of powdered sugar, coat well.  Place on parchment paper covered baking sheet.  Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes.