1-First Step: Preparation and Mise en Place Start by preparing your ingredients. Take the butter out of the fridge ahead of time so it softens to room temperature; this makes creaming it much easier. Zest your oranges carefully, avoiding the white pith, which can be bitter. Squeeze the fresh orange juice and set it aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup later.

2-Second Step: Making the Dough In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the 1/4 cup of orange juice and half of the orange zest. The dough will be soft but should not be overly sticky. If it is too sticky to handle, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step is crucial for easy rolling.

3-Third Step: Rolling and Filling Once the dough has chilled, lightly flour a clean work surface and a rolling pin. Roll the dough out into a rectangle approximately 12×9 inches. In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup of softened butter (for the filling) with the remaining orange zest and 1/3 cup of sugar until it forms a spreadable paste. Spread this orange filling evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges to help the seal when you roll it.

4-Fourth Step: Creating the Spiral Starting from one of the long sides, roll the dough up tightly into a log. Use a gentle sawing motion with your hands to keep the roll even. Once rolled, you can wrap the log in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. This makes slicing much cleaner and helps the cookies keep their shape during baking. If you are looking for other variations on this style, cookies for days orange roll cookies offers great inspiration on presentation.

5-Fifth Step: Slicing and Baking Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the dough log from the freezer and unwrap it. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the log into 12 equal rounds. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them to allow for slight spreading. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them near the end, as the high sugar content in the filling can cause them to brown quickly.

6-Final Step: Glazing and Serving While the cookies are cooling on a wire rack, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a few drops of juice; if too thin, add more sugar. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cookies. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. These are best enjoyed fresh, but they are also delicious the next day.