Monogram Cookies

Photo: flickr user nikkicookiebaker

Ingredients

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour plus more

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 pound unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 lrg egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 tablespoons meringue powder

1/2 cup sanding sugar

Preparation

In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg; beat until combined. Gradually add sifted ingredients, and mix on low speed until combined. Add vanilla. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 325 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out approximately 52 circles. Using a clean rubber stamp, imprint an initial into the center of each cookie. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets, and refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.

Bake until edges start to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons meringue powder with 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Decorate one cookie at a time: Using a small paintbrush, lightly brush each imprinted initial with meringue. Sprinkle sanding sugar in the initial, and tap out excess over a small bowl. Using a toothpick or a small dry paintbrush, gently remove the excess sugar in and around the letter. Brush the edge of each cookie with meringue. Roll the edge of each cookie in sanding sugar to coat.

Transfer cookies to a cooling rack set over a sheet pan to dry completely, 1 to 2 hours. Cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container up to 4 days.

This recipe yields about 4 dozen cookies.