AMISH SUGAR CAKES

My husband is from PA and his mother has been making these cookies for us for years every Christmas.  She got the recipe off of allrecipes.com

1 cup butter flavored shortening
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 pinch salt
1 cup buttermilk
decorating sugar

In a mixer, cream together shortening and sugar until smooth.  Stir in eggs and vanilla.  Stir in flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt until well combined.  Add buttermilk and mix well.

Place heaping tablespoons onto baking sheet 3" apart.  Sprinkle with decorating sugar and bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes.  Careful not to allow bottoms to get too brown.  Store in an airtight container.