1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

2 c sugar, plus more for sprinkling

3 lg eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cream of tartar

5 c flour

3/4 c buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter and sugar in a lg bowl. Add the eggs, beating well. Then add the vanilla. Mix together the baking soda, cream of tartar, and flour. Add the buttermilk and the dry ingredients alternately to the butter mixture. Chill the dough, uncovered, for several hours.

Roll out and cut the cookies using a round glass or cookie cutter and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with sugar and bake until golden, about 10 minutes.

Cool the cookies on a wire rack or plate.

makes 4 dozen cookies