- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line your baking pan(s) with parchment and set aside. 
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar.  Cream until smooth. 
- Add in the egg and lemon zest.  Mix until combined. 
- Add in the salt, baking powder and flour and mix until thoroughly combined.  Stop the mixer, scrape the sides and mix again. 
- Scoop out one tablespoon’s worth of dough, about the size of a ping pong ball and shape into a sphere.  Place on your prepared baking sheets about 3 inches apart. 
- Using a rounded teaspoon, indent the center of each cookie to create a hole for the curd later on. 
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 14 minutes or until the bottoms are just slightly golden brown.  Allow to cool completely before filling. 
- Place your prepared lemon curd in a piping bag for easier filling.  Set aside. 
- When ready to assemble, make the meringue.   
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine about 1 tablespoon of sugar with the egg whites and vanilla.   
- Whip on medium speed for about a minute or two, until soft peaks.   
- Gradually add in the remaining sugar in small increments.   
- Continue to whip for a few more minutes or until stiff peaks form.  Do not overwhip as it will begin to deflate. 
- Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. 
- To assemble - Pipe a small dollop of lemon curd in the center indent of each cookie.  Pipe a small mound of meringue toward the side of the curd where it can adhere to the cookie. 
- To toast the meringue - you can use a kitchen torch to quickly toast the meringue or transfer the cookies to a baking sheet and set under the broiler setting on the oven for just a minute or two.  Rotate the pan to spread the heat evenly - watch carefully as the toasting happens very quickly once it starts to go. 
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.