Instructions: In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with 2 1/2-in. cookie cutters dipped in flour. Using a floured spatula, place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 8 - 1 0 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. in a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Add food coloring if desired. Frost the cookies.

Yield: about 5 1/2 dozen.

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