Amish Buttermilk Cookies

How to make Amish Buttermilk Cookies Recipe - The Amish are a rural people of Swiss-German heritage. Simple but accomplished cooks, they are good bakers and pride themselves on the great variety of their baked goods.

Makes about 36 large cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup lard or softened butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:
Preheat oven to 350F (175C).

Lightly grease baking sheets. In a medium-sized bowl, beat lard or butter and brown sugar until smooth and light. Beat in buttermilk and eggs until light and fluffy.

In a medium-sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nuts, if desired. Add to egg mixture; blend well.

Stir in vanilla. Drop about 1/4 cup dough at a time 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on a rack.