Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  2               cups  white sugar
  1                cup  shortening
  4                     eggs
  4               cups  all-purpose flour
  2          teaspoons  baking powder
  1           teaspoon  baking soda
  1           teaspoon  vanilla extract
  1                cup  buttermilk
     1/2           cup  butter -- melted
  2               cups  confectioners' sugar
                        milk
  3              drops  food coloring (optional)

Preparation:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). 2) Combine 2 cups white sugar, shortening, and eggs. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. 3) Mix dry ingredients into egg mixture. Stir well. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla. 4) Drop by teaspoon ( I use regular coffeespoon) onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until light brown. 5) To Make Frosting: Melt 1/2 cup butter and combine with 2 cups powdered sugar and add milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Mix in food coloring (optional). Mix together and spread onto cookies.

Nutritional Information:

4824 Calories (kcal); 322g Total Fat; (60% calories from fat); 83g Protein; 399g Carbohydrate; 1005mg Cholesterol; 3659mg Sodium