Mennonite Soft White Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
1/8 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 - 2 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)

Preparation

Cream shortening and sugar together.
Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
Stir flour mixture, alternately with the buttermilk, into the creamed mixture, until it forms a soft ball. Add extra flour if necessary.
Cover and chill in the fridge for about 1 hour.
Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness, cut into circles or desired shapes and place on cookie sheets.
Bake at 375 degrees F. for 9 minute.
Mix all icing ingredients until mixture is of spreading consistency. Make sure butter/margarine is softened before using. You can also add food colouring if desired!
When cookies are cool, ice with icing.
Sprinkle coconut on tops as desired.