Mix brown sugar, shortening, buttermilk and eggs. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and gumdrops. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inces apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched, 8-10 min. Immediately remove from cookie sheet.
Note: Scissors, dipped occasionally into hot water, cut gumdrops easily.