Halloween Jack-o-Lantern Tea Cakes

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Halloween Jack-o-Lantern Tea Cakes.

1. Step 1

   Start by preheating your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C), setting the stage for some delicious baking.

2. Step 2

   In a large mixing bowl, combine your baking mix, milk, sugar, and softened butter.

3. Step 3

   Stir these ingredients together until a soft, inviting dough forms, ready for shaping.

4. Step 4

   Next, sprinkle some flour on your countertop and gently shape the dough into a ball.

5. Step 5

   Knead it lightly about 8 to 10 times—just enough to bring it together without overdoing it, as we want to keep that tender texture.

6. Step 6

   Now, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick on the floured surface.

7. Step 7

   Grab a floured 2-inch round cookie cutter and cut out circles.

8. Step 8

   Don’t forget to use the leftover dough to create little pumpkin stems; simply cut out small shapes and attach them to the circles with a dab of milk and a gentle press.

9. Step 9

   Arrange your cookie creations on a baking sheet and pop them into the preheated oven.

10. Step 10

    Bake for around 8 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely light golden brown.

11. Step 11

    Once they’re done, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, which should take another 15 to 30 minutes—perfect for a little patience while the aroma fills your kitchen.

12. Step 12

    While the cookies cool, it’s time to get creative with the licorice.

13. Step 13

    Cut it into three sizes: 1/4-inch pieces for triangle eyes, tiny dots for pupils, and 1- to 2-inch segments for cheerful mouths.

14. Step 14

    Now, let’s whip up some frosting! In a small bowl, mix together confectioners' sugar, milk, and a splash of orange extract until smooth and creamy.

15. Step 15

    Set aside 1 tablespoon of this frosting to dye green with food coloring for the stems.

16. Step 16

    Use orange food coloring to tint the rest of the frosting to your desired shade of pumpkin perfection.

17. Step 17

    Once your cookies have cooled, it’s time to bring them to life! Frost the green stems and the orange pumpkin faces with your vibrant frosting.

18. Step 18

    While the frosting is still wet, have fun decorating with the cut licorice and some candy corn for that extra festive touch.

19. Step 19

    Enjoy your delightful pumpkin cookies, perfect for sharing or savoring all on your own!.