Preheat the oven to 350.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients for the cookies (flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt). In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, about two minutes.
Add the eggs and the yolk, one at a time and mix.
Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk (begin and end with flour). Add the vanilla .
Using a ¼ cup scoop, drop the dough on the prepared baking sheets or use a muffin top pan as I did.
Bake for 17 minutes, baking each sheet one at a time. Edges should be lightly browned. Allow to cool completely before frosting.