Bake sales seem to be popping up everywhere and are among the most popular fund-raising events.

Bake sales offer an opportunity to swap recipes as well as help provide funding for school sports, classroom projects, non-profit service groups and more. Bake sales are easy to set up and execute. One or two large tables set up in the corner of the baseball field, the soccer field or in a parking lot, a few dozen cupcakes, cookies and brownies, and you’re good to go.

For the working person bake sales can be a little intimidating. Who has time to bake elaborate cakes and decorate dozens of cookies and cupcakes? Some of these quick and simple ideas using cake mixes may help take the stress out of baking and provide delicious and delightful contribution to the next big sale.

Some bake sale tips include:

Bring home-baked foods, not store bought;

Individually wrap cookies, cupcakes and brownies;

Use a theme such a sports event. Decorate the bake sale table with streamers, decals and other fun items;

Don’t sell baked foods that can contaminate quickly such as cream pies;

List ingredients on small labels for recipes with nuts and peanut butter as many people have allergies to these foods;

Hold a raffle for large bake items such as cakes, breads and pies during the bake sale.

German Chocolate Caramel Bars

Makes 3 dozen

1 package (181/4 ounces) German chocolate cake mix

1 cup quick-cooking oats

6 tablespoons cold butter (no substitutes)

1 egg beaten

Filling

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping

1 egg

Topping

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup quick-cooking oats

2 tablespoons butter

In a bowl, combine cake mix and oats; cut in butter until crumbly. Set aside 1 cup. Stir the egg into remaining oat mixture (mixture will be crumbly). Press into a grease 13-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes or until almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Combine filling ingredients; spread over crust. For topping combine the pecans, brown sugar, oats, butter and reserved oat mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Bake 15 minutes longer. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate until firm before cutting.

By Taste of Home Cooking

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Makes 16 cupcakes

1/3 cup shortening

1/3 cup peanut butter

11/4 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

13/4 cups all-purpose flour

13/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

16 miniature peanut butter cups

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening, peanut butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups with 1/4 cup of batter. Press a peanut butter cup into the center of each until the top edge is even with batter. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted on an angle toward the center comes out clean.

By Taste of Home Cooking

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

11/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup butter flavor shortening

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal or chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 13-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch pan with spray oil.

Mix brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add egg and beat well. Add flour salt and soda, mix until blended. Stir in oats or nuts. Press into greased pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Cool and cut into squares.

From Missy White of Echo

Sugar Cookies on a Stick

Makes 2 dozen

1 cup butter (no substitutes)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup half and half cream

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in cream. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with large round drinking glass dipped in flour. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Insert cookie sucker sticks. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool five minutes on pan. Remove to rack, careful to not dislodge sticks, and cool completely.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened (no substitute)

4 cups confectioner sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-4 tablespoons half and half cream

Food coloring, colored sugar and candied sprinkles, optional

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, vanilla and enough cream to achieve desired frosting consistency. Add food coloring if desired. Frost cooled cookies. Decorate as desired.

By Taste of Home Cooking

Blueberry Cheesecake Bars

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Makes 24 bars

1 box (18.25) yellow cake mix

1/2 cup cornflake crumbs

3 eggs

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1 can (21 ounces) blueberry pie filling

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 13-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch baking pan. Reserve 1/2 cup cake mix. Combine remaining mix, crumbs, 1 egg, 1/4 cup butter. Press into bottom and slightly up sides of pan.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and 2 eggs in bowl until smooth. Spread on crust. Dollop with filling.

Sprinkle reserved cake mix and pecans on top of blueberry filling; drizzle with remaining butter.

Bake for 35 minutes. Cool and then refrigerate. Cut into 24 bars.

Nutrient value per bar: 260 calories, 15g fat, 4g protein, 28g carbohydrate, 232mg sodium, 58mg cholesterol.

From Christy Moffit of Echo

Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Make 11/2 dozen

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

In a mixing bow, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add the flour and oats, mix well. Pour into a lightly greased 11-inch by 7-inch by 2-inch baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minute or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with chocolate chips; when melted, spread chocolate over bars. Top with chopped nuts.

By Taste of Home Cooking