- 1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- FROSTING:
- 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters dipped in flour. Using a floured spatula, place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Add food coloring if desired. Frost the cookies.