Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, blend cake mix, brown sugar. Add to dry mixture, the shortening, egg, vanilla and almond extract. Fold in cherries, raisins, apricots or pineapples, walnuts, almonds, and pecans or your favorite nut. Blend mixture well. Drop cookie dough (dough should be sticky, doughy, not too wet), if too wet add a couple of spoonfuls of leftover cake mix to give it the right consistency) by spoonfuls, about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
