Niney's Old-Fashioned Sugar Cakes

 

2 heaping cups (coffee mugs) shortening
2 pounds brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 pint buttermilk
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 tablespoons vanilla
5 pounds of flour
red and green sugar

In large mixing bowl, combine shortening and brown sugar. Add eggs. In separate container, mix cream of tartar with buttermilk. Add baking soda. Add to mixture in large bowl. Mix well by hand. Add vanilla. Add flour until remaining flour in bag is the same height as four fingers stacked on top of each other. Dough will be sticky. Roll out thick on floured board. Cut with favorite cookie cutter shapes. Sprinkle with red and green sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes. Check for brownness on bottom.

-From the kitchen of Tonya Haddock of Hagerstown