I’m not much for celebrating Halloween, partly because it’s not an especially big deal here in Sweden, but mostly because it’s never been a particular favorite of mine. When I was a kid, sure, I was as game as anyone for going door-to-door and coming home with a bagful of candy (well, except for that last time wasn’t so much fun, when I was in sixth grade and had to trick-or-treat on crutches, in the snow — maybe that’s what soured me on the whole business), but for the past twenty-five years or so, I’d really just as soon skip the event entirely.

My kids, on the other hand, have plenty of Halloween spirit, so in an effort not to be a total wet blanket I spent much of the afternoon putting together this jack o’lantern cake. I’m sure the little ones would rather have had the real deal, but pumpkins are too scarce (and too expensive) ’round these parts for me to be willing to lose one to carving. You can get two pumpkin pies, at least, from a medium-sized pumpkin, and eating pie wins hands-down over watching a hollowed-out pumpkin rot out on the porch. Thus, cake.

Lest anyone think me a killjoy, I bid you observe the extra little element of surprise and fun I added to what was otherwise an ordinary vanilla cake.

That there is a tie-dye cake, inspired by Omnomicon. I made my own batter, but otherwise followed her instructions to the letter. Not too bad for an afternoon’s work, eh?