3/4 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
5 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Add baking powder and baking soda to flour and sift together. Alternate dry ingredients and buttermilk; stir mixture until blended. Chill, covered, for 30 minutes or longer.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Drop dough from teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. To flatten each cookie, press with a flat bottom glass dipped in water and coated with sugar.

Bake until lightly browned, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.