Halloween is next week and it's time to start planning treats to share at school or at the office. These are tried-and-true favorites—easy to prepare and sure to put you on everyone's favorite goblin list.

Happy Halloween and be safe while trick-or-treating!

German Chocolate Luscious Bars

1 package (14 ounces) caramel pieces, wrappers removed
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 box (18 ounces) German chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 package (6 ounces) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13-by-9-inch baking pan.

Microwave caramels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk in a microwave-safe bowl.

Combine cake mix, butter, remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk and nuts. Spoon half of this mixture into prepared pan; bake 15 minutes.

Sprinkle chocolate chips and caramel mixture over baked crust. Carefully spoon remaining batter over this layer and bake 15 more minutes.

Cool and refrigerate to set caramel. Cut into 2-inch squares. Makes 24.

Approximate nutritional information, per piece: 280 calories, 16 g total fat, 8 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 34 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 24 g sugar, 4 g protein.

Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 cup white corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups crispy rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
» Frosting:
1 package (6 ounces) butterscotch chips
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 tablespoon butter
2 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar

Grease a 13-by-9-inch pan.

In a large pot, bring corn syrup and sugar to low boil, then add peanut butter and blend well. While syrup is hot, add rice cereal. Mix well and pat into prepared pan.

To make frosting: Melt butterscotch chips, milk and butter in microwave-safe bowl. Add powdered sugar; blend well and spread over bars. Cool and cut. Makes 24.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: (not including salt to taste): 150 calories, 8 g total fat, 3.5 g saturated fat, no cholesterol, 100 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 3 g protein.

Sweet Party Mix

1 package (10 ounces) corn chips (such as Fritos)
1 package (6 ounces) cone-shaped corn snacks (such as Bugles)
1 box (12 ounces) corn and rice cereal squares (such as Chex)
1/2 package (10 ounce size) butter-flavored pretzel sticks
1/2 package (11 ounce size) cheese-flavored puffs (such as Cheetos)
1-1/2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Spray a large deep baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Combine chips, cereals, pretzels and cheese puffs in prepared pan.

In a saucepan, heat butter with sugar, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce; stir until sugar dissolves. Pour over cereal mixture; mix lightly. Bake uncovered for 1 hour; mix lightly every 15 minutes.

Cool and store in airtight containers. Makes 7 quarts, about 28 servings.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 300 calories, 16 g total fat, 7 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 450 mg sodium, 35 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 3 g protein.