Estimated time:
1 1/2-2 hr.

Number of servings:
Recipe makes about 8 dozen*

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
3 1/2 c. sugar

2 c. (1 lb.) butter, softened

2 c. buttermilk or sour milk*

5 eggs*

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cream of tartar

8 c. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. vanilla

optional: colored sugar/sprinkles

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine sugar and butter in a rather Large mixing bowl, until thoroughly creamed together.

Add buttermilk/sour milk, and then the eggs; mix thoroughly. Stir in baking soda and cream of tartar. Add vanilla. Add Flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring thoroughly after each cupful.

Drop batter by mounded tablespoons-ful on lightly greased baking sheets. Sugar/sprinkles may be added.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on just how soft you desire them to be.

Cool one minute on baking sheet, then remove to wire rack or platter to cool Completely. Store in airtight container. (Put waxed paper between layers to prevent sticking.)

Other suggestions and comments:
*This recipe makes a lot of cookies!!! All of the quantities lend themselves to division in half, except for the eggs...and I'd tend to think that for a "half egg" one could use just the egg white.

To "sour" milk, add 1 Tbsp. white vinegar or lemon juice per cup of milk, and let stand for 10-15 min.

Gadget-lovers: scoops are great for everything from mashed potatoes to soft cookie doughs/batters, and they are now available in several sizes.
Flick-of-the-wrist, and "plop"--definitely worth it!

Extra baking time makes slightly crisper cookies; bake just until the edges begin to brown. The cookies will rise Up, and spread at the edges, so leave ample room between each cookie on the sheet.

Everyone has their own view of what constitutes the Perfect sugar cookie. Part of that viewpoint is what we experienced as children. This recipe is an old-style, simple cookie. It turned out way more "cake-like" in texture than I'd predicted, and I was initially disappointed, but I've noticed over the past 2 days that the cookies are disappearing, all the same ;-)

Definitely a "got milk?" kind of cookie, and a fruit plate would also be a good idea. Because the cookies are so soft, one can scarf 'em down Way too easily, losing count of the number...

Soft texture in a cookie would be a Good Thing for anyone of any age who prefers or requires a soft-chewing experience. Othodontic braces and loose/missing teeth come to mind...and I've known of special-needs children and adults who have a Way hard time chewing and swallowing graham crackers, popcorn, and scores of other snack foods...foods that wouldn't even give the rest of us a second thought.

The Banquet of Life should have room for everyone, eh? Simple Things can brighten someone's day.