Monterey County’s bakeries have plenty of spooky, seasonal sweets on offer.

Among the tragedies of adulthood is the childhood traditions we must, at some point, leave behind – knocking on a stranger’s door for free candy on Oct. 31, to name just one example. One of the benefits, however, is how freedom and financial independence allow us to treat ourselves, whether that means hitting the drugstore on Nov. 1 for discounted candy, or taking a tour through Monterey County’s bakeries for themed goodies.

Multiple local bakers told the Weekly that Halloween isn’t as big a sales holiday as Thanksgiving or Christmas, but still they like to have a little fun with it. This means colorfully decorated cookies, spooky cakes and fall flavors.

Below is a selection – perfect for a little trick-or-treating journey.

Ad Astra’s Szechuan Pepper Shortbread

479 Alvarado St., Monterey | adastrabread.com

Trust the folks at Ad Astra to be creative with the Halloween assignment. On offer one recent morning were Szechuan pepper shortbread cookies in the shape of little ghosts ($2) and cream puffs with googly monster eyes. The Szechuan pepper cookies are a popular item – both novel and delicious. The slightly crunchy cookies lean into sweet shortbread on the front of the palate, followed by little sparks of spice and a lingering heat, making you want to go back for another bite. Ad Astra’s pastry case regularly features a rotating cast of characters, so we won’t be surprised if there are more seasonal treats before the holiday arrives.

Paris Bakery’s Mummy Cake Pops

271 Bonifacio Place, Monterey | 1234 Broadway Ave., Seaside | 646-1620, parisbakery.us

Paris Bakery doesn’t necessarily make treats specifically for Halloween, but there’s plenty of thematic fondant to be found in the bakery’s Monterey and Seaside locations. Treat options include sugar cookies shaped and decorated as pumpkins, ghosts, etc., princess cake (both full size and personal size) covered in orange fondant and decorated like a jack-o-lantern, and – perhaps most fun – spooky cake pops decorated like mummies or skulls ($3.50). Staff say seasonal Halloween offerings are most popular with kids – but they won’t judge if you choose to embrace your inner child at the ordering counter.

Cafe Carmel’s Cake Rats

Ocean Avenue between Mission and San Carlos streets, Carmel | 624-3870, cafecarmel.com

Cafe Carmel makes something for Halloween each year – though the offerings may differ. “We try to change them a bit every year, and develop ideas… but always do something,” owner Sarah Cook says. This year the lineup includes sugar cookies decorated like ghosts, pumpkins and spiders; “Witches fingers” – baked cookie dough with an almond fingernail and red chocolate decoration; and chocolate cake rats. These little rats, available by the one ($7.50) or in a box of four, are made with a light génoise cake with a touch of coffee in the batter, chocolate frosting and oreo crumble on top. “They are really cute and they’re quite popular,” Cook says.

Sweet Elena’s Pumpkin Pie

465 Olympia Ave., Sand City | 393-2063, sweetelenas.com

The colorfully decorated Halloween cookies are probably the first holiday offering that will catch your eye at this Sand City favorite. A case near the register is full of shortbread cookies stamped in the shapes of ghosts, pumpkins, bats and more, and decorated with royal icing. Kids love ’em and they do sell out. However, according to owner Katy Matias, it’s the pumpkin pies ($29.50) that are most popular. “We specialize in pumpkin pies – everyone asks all year about our pumpkin pie,” Matias says. This year the bakery started offering this seasonal delicacy in the middle of September, and it will continue to be available until about the first week in December, Matias assures those of us who have not yet snagged one.

Main Street Bakery’s Custom Cakes

711 South Main St., Salinas |771-2253, mainstreetbakeryandcatering.com

If you’re looking for personalized Halloween delicacies, look no further. Main Street Bakery creates custom cakes (prices vary) for all occasions – including spooky haunted house cakes, spiderweb cakes, black cat cakes… let your imagination run wild.