Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan-assisted, or 400°F).
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
3. Sift in the flour, baking powder, salt, and bicarbonate of soda. Stir until well combined and the dough becomes clumpy.
4. Gather the dough, kneading just enough to form a smooth ball. Wrap it and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Fondant Toppers

1. On a lightly dusted surface, roll out the orange fondant to about 2-3mm (1/8 inch) thickness.
2. Use a pumpkin-shaped cutter to cut out 30 fondant shapes, placing them on a board dusted with cornflour to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies

1. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/2 cm (approx. 1/4 inch) thickness.
2. Using the same pumpkin-shaped cutter, cut out the cookies and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 6 minutes or until the edges are pale golden.

Step 4: Ice the Cookies

1. In a small container, mix the icing sugar with a teaspoon of water to make a ‘glue.’
2. While the cookies are still warm, brush a small amount of icing glue on top, then gently press a fondant pumpkin on each one. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 5: Decorate with Details

1. Use black icing to add jack-o-lantern faces or pumpkin grooves to each cookie. Get creative and enjoy!