Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened for a rich, flaky shortbread base that holds the swirl without crumbling
½ cup powdered sugar for adding subtle sweetness and helping achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture in the dough
2 cups all-purpose flour for providing structure for rolling and slicing
1 tsp vanilla extract for rounding out flavors with warm notes, balancing the bright orange
¼ tsp salt for enhancing taste and cutting through sweetness
¾ cup granulated sugar for forming the sticky filling that swirls beautifully inside each cookie
Zest from 2 medium oranges for infusing intense citrus aroma and oil for authentic orange rolls flavor
2 tbsp orange juice for moistening the filling and adding fresh tang
1 cup powdered sugar for the glaze base for the shiny, drizzly topping that sets softly
2 tbsp fresh orange juice for thinning the glaze for perfect drizzling
Instructions
1-First Step: Soften 1 cup unsalted butter to room temperature. Zest and juice 2 medium oranges, reserving 2 tbsp juice for filling and 2 tbsp for glaze. Measure all dry ingredients: ½ cup powdered sugar, 2 cups flour, ¼ tsp salt, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla. This setup keeps your orange roll cookies assembly smooth, especially for busy parents multitasking dinner prep.
2-Second Step: In a large bowl, cream softened butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla with a hand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups flour and ¼ tsp salt, mixing on low until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix to keep orange cookies tender. For vegan adaptation, use plant-based butter here.
3-Third Step: Combine ¾ cup granulated sugar, orange zest, and 2 tbsp orange juice in a small bowl. Stir until it forms a damp, spreadable mixture. This filling mimics classic orange rolls but stays sliceable in cookie form. Taste and add a pinch more zest if you crave extra zing for your cookie recipe.
4-Fourth Step: Place dough on a lightly floured surface or parchment. Roll into a 12×16-inch rectangle, about ¼-inch thick. Evenly spread orange filling to edges. Roll tightly from the long side into a jelly-roll log, pinching seams. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or overnight. Chilling firms the log for clean slices and even baking, perfect for make-ahead meal prep.
5-Fifth Step: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment. Unwrap log, slice into ¼-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife. Place 2 inches apart on sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden. Centers stay pale for that soft sweet roll cookies bite. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to racks.
6-Final Step: Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp fresh orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Let set 15 minutes. For gluten-free, ensure your powdered sugar is cornstarch-based. Serve warm or store as below. These easy orange sweet roll cookies shine at parties, drawing smiles from kids to seniors.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍊 Use fresh oranges for the best flavor – the zest contains essential oils that provide the most intense orange taste
🌰 Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour to keep the cookies tender and soft like sweet rolls
❄️ Chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and help maintain the cinnamon-orange swirl pattern
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Chilling Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg