1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix until fluffy. Add salt, baking soda and 1 cup flour. Mix well. Add remaining flour, buttermilk and vanilla. Chill dough thoroughly.

Roll dough to 1/2-inch thick and use a large (3-inch round) cutter. Be sure not to flatten the dough in the process (this is the secret of the success of this recipe for a soft cookie).

Place on greased cookie sheet, about 6 at a time. Bake in preheated 450°F (hot) oven for 12 minutes. Turn cookie pan around after 10 minutes.

Be sure cookies are done before removing from oven. Cool on wire rack.

Submitted by: K. Patton