Sweetheart Sugar Cookie

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 large egg 

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons meringue powder

• Pink sanding sugar

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg, beating until blended. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended.  Divide dough into 2 equal portions; flatten each portion into a disk. Cover and chill 10 minutes.  Place 1 dough disk on a heavily floured surface, and roll to 1/8-inch thickness.  Cut with a 3-inch heart-shaped cutter. Place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Repeat procedure with remaining dough disk.  Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheets 5 minutes; transfer to wire racks, and let cool completely (about 30 minutes).  Whisk together meringue powder and 2 tbsp. water. Brush cookies with mixture, or dip cookies in mixture, and sprinkle with sanding sugar.