Old-Fashioned Tea Cakes

1 c. butter or solid vegetable shortening
1-1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. buttermilk or 1-1/2 tsp. vinegar or 1-1/2 tsp. lemon juice in 1/2 c. milk
3 eggs
4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder

Cream butter and sugar well. Dissolve soda in buttermilk. Add eggs, flour and baking powder. Add any desired flavoring, such as 1 tsp. vanilla or lemon extract. Roll dough out on lightly floured board. Cut with cookie cutters, and bake until lightly browned in 400-degree oven.