1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream together the shortening and sugar. Stir in the egg, buttermilk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt.
Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and stir well to combine. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. If desired, sprinkle tops of cookies with colored sugar before baking. Bake at 400 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes or until set.
After 5 minutes, remove from cookie sheet and let cool completely on a wire rack.