5 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. butter
3 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk (or make milk sour by adding 1 tsp. vinegar to reg. milk)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Cinnamon or nutmeg mixed with sugar to taste for topping

Sift flour with 1 cup sugar and next 4 ingredients. Cut in butter with fingers until crumbly. Beat eggs slightly and add remaining sugar gradually. Beat thoroughly. Blend buttermilk and vanilla with eggs, then add mixture to crumb base. Blend well. Chill well until ready to bake or proceed with rolling pin and shaping at once. Work 1/4 of dough at a time on lightly floured board. Roll 1/8 inch thick - desired shapes and dip each cookie top lightly into mixture of sugar and spices. Bake in 350 degree oven 8 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to touch. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Makes 6 to 8 dozen cookies.