Buttermilk Cookies

1/2 cup shortening or butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk or (1/2 c milk + 1/2T vinegar)
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
Icing

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.