2 cups sugar

1 cup shortening

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

3 3/4 cup flour, may  need 4

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream shortening and sugar and beat in eggs. Add vanilla to buttermilk and add this to sugar mixture alternately with sifted flour, soda and salt. Dough should not be stiff, but easy to handle. Chill, then roll out on floured pastry cloth or board to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with large cookie cutter and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or just until golden brown around rims. Frost when cool.