Here’s what your cookie dough should look like once it’s all mixed. Don’t worry if it’s really thick – that’s how the cookies keep their shape.

Don’t forget to line your cookie sheet before you cut your cookies out and try to leave a little space between each.

This is what your cookies should look like once they’re all baked. Don’t try to judge their doneness by their color. Instead, notice when they stop looking “sweaty.”

Your icing will be just like the cookie dough: thick. This will let you pipe designs and outline your cookies before you thin it out.

These cookies are so cute and tasty when they’re finished, and the recipe can be adapted to whatever holiday or celebration you want. Just let the frosting dry for a while or they’ll get really messy.

These are all the dry ingredients for the cake portion of the cake pops. (frosting) This frosting doesn’t just need to be for cake pops, you can use it in any other cake or cupcake recipe as a fun addition.

This frosting doesn’t just need to be for cake pops, you can use it in any other cake or cupcake recipe as a fun addition.

It may seem a little odd, but mixing your baked cake layers with the frosting in a mixer is much easier than trying to do it by hand and dealing with an uneven texture.

Try to work fast with the cake balls since you’ll be working with your hands. The frosting will melt a little and they can start to get droopy, so just pop them in the fridge for a little while when this happens.

Try to get sturdy sticks that are specifically meant for baking, not paper straws or anything flimsy like that. The cake pops will be very top-heavy, so you need a good handle to keep them from toppling over.

The only part that is set in stone is the base coat of chocolate, but the rest of it is up to you and your imagination.

Whether you choose something elaborate or simple for your decoration, these cake pops will be delicious.

This caramel adds the perfect amount of buttery sweetness to this cake – just please be careful not to burn yourself.

Laying out your apples doesn’t have to go perfectly, but fanning them out like this gives the cake a very sophisticated feel without too much effort.

The batter is smooth and creamy, and it smells better than most cakes after they’ve been baked.

Once the batter has been spread evenly over the topping, tap the cake pan on the counter a few times. This will let any air bubbles rise to the surface and settle the batter so it’s more even.

After the cake has been flipped, it might look a little disheveled, but it isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s supposed to be a little imperfect since that’s the fall vibe.

When tracing the letters out, don’t rush, but don’t worry about lines too much. The dough will warp and bubble a little in the oven, so it won’t be noticeable.

This cake is a great example of what simple and elegant fall baking should be. It won’t take hours, but it isn’t generic either.