Billy Goats

This is my great grandmother's recipe for "Billy Goats."

1/2 c butter
1/2 c meat fryings
1 1/2 c brown sugar
3 well beaten eggs
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp soda dissolved in 1/4 c warm water
1 tbsp cinnamon
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla

No further instructions given.