Turn box cake into cookies in no time at all

Dear Heloise: I have misplaced a recipe from your column. You used a box of cake mix to make cookies. I've used this recipe many times but have lost it. A reader, via e-mail
Not to worry -- I would be glad to reprint it, since this recipe is requested quite often by many of my readers. And, it's as easy as 1-2-3.
USet the oven to preheat at 350 degrees. Then, mix 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 2 eggs with a box of regular cake mix (nothing else.).
UAdd 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chocolate or peanut-butter chips, chopped nuts, raisins or whatever extra you or your family likes.
UPlace dough by the teaspoonful on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.
Be sure to cut out this easy cookie recipe. Keep it in your recipe box or on the inside of the door to the cabinet where you store the cookie sheets.
For some different cake, icing and pie recipes (the above recipe isn't included, so be sure to cut it out), send for my four-page pamphlet Heloise's Cake Recipes. For a copy, send $3 and a self-addressed, stamped (60 cents), long envelope to Heloise/Cake, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.
Hint: To make a cake-pan coating, mix equal parts of vegetable oil, shortening and flour until smooth. Use to coat cake pans instead of flour or sugar. Store the unused portion in an airtight container in the fridge until needed. Heloise
Dear Heloise: You gave some hints about protecting good dishes recently, but here is another hint: If you ever bring food to a party, wedding shower, potluck supper, etc., don't bring it in a good dish or a dish that's part of an expensive set, because there is a chance you will lose it.
Years ago, my wife did that. I'm reminded of it every time I look at our good set of dishes, and I know that somewhere in someone's cupboards is one of our good dinner plates. I hope the person is taking good care of it, because it cost me a small fortune 42 years ago. Paul Doucet, via e-mail
Very true. Here's a hint: Pick up pretty plates or dishes at estate or yard sales to use when taking food to an event. If it's never returned, it is no great loss. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have a small kitchen, so I gave my daughters all the kitchen gadgets I don't use; one was a blender that I used only now and then to make vinaigrette. The next time I made some, I took my hand-held mixer and put the ingredients in a container. I placed it in the sink and, using only one of the beaters, I ran the mixer on low speed while I drizzled in the olive oil. Voil & aacute;. Perfect vinaigrette, not much to clean up, and no blender to store. Donna Comarow, Bethesda, Md.
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