Combine dry ingredients - To a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Use a whisk to combine.
Cream butter and sugar - Add the softened butter and sugar to a large mixing bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to whip on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract and orange zest and mix until well combined.
Add dry ingredients to form dough - Then add half the flour mixture and mix using the spatula. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until a dough forms. Split the dough into two and shape into balls.
Rolling out the dough - Place half the dough on a piece of baking paper. Flatten slightly with your hands. Place another piece of baking paper on top, then use a rolling pin to roll out to 7mm / 1/4-inch in thickness. Place on your baking tray and place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Repeat with the other half of the dough.
Preheat a fan-forced oven to 180C / 355F (200C / 430F for no fan). You’ll need two large baking trays lined with baking paper for this recipe. I used half sheet baking trays.
Cutting out your cookies - After chilling, cut the dough using a 6cm / 2 1/4-inch round cookie measuring cutter. Use a smaller cutter to cut out centers of half the cookies. Transfer them onto the lined baking trays. Work quickly because it’s easier to cut them out when they’re chilled.
Bake cookies - Bake on the middle rack of your oven, one tray at a time for 10 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Turn the tray around halfway through the baking time so they bake evenly. Allow to cool completely before serving or decorating.
Dust half the cookies with sugar - Place the cooled down cookies with a hole cut out on a cooling rack with a baking tray underneath. Dust them with powdered sugar. These will be the tops of your cookies.
Sandwich with jam - Pipe or spread raspberry jam onto the flat side of the whole cookies. Place the powdered sugar-dusted cookies on top, pressing gently to form a sandwich.