The only thing scarier than ghosts, goblins and ghouls on Halloween is coming up short with your themed recipe treats. Don’t get tricked into throwing just another typical Halloween party — kick it up a notch with a chilling theme.

Give chilling names to your ghoulish grub. Meatballs could be Dracula’s Meat Ball Eyes; barbecue sticks could be Wicked Witch Kebabs. Make name cards to get your spooky point across.

Here are some ideas:

SCARY STACK OF BONES

• 4 pounds pork baby back ribs
• >> Sauce
• 1 cup chili sauce
• 2 stalks green onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium shoyu
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

In a large bowl, combine sauce ingredients.

Cut ribs into individual pieces; dip each into sauce. Transfer to a 5-quart slow cooker; top with remaining sauce. Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours, or until meat is tender. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 650 calories, 43 g total fat, 16 g saturated fat, 170 mg cholesterol, 1,000 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 14 g sugar, 41 g protein.

GORY GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES

• 1/4 cup butter
• 8 slices Hawaiian sweet bread
• 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 slices provolone cheese
• 8 slices pineapple, in rings
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce, divided

Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.

In large skillet over medium heat, place half the bread slices butter-side down. Top each slice with 2 slices cheddar, 1 slice provolone, 2 pineapple rings and 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce. Top with a second slice of bread, butter side up. Cook until bottom bread slices are golden brown, 2-4 minutes.

Flip and cook until other side is golden brown and cheese is melted, 2-4 minutes more. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 700 calories, 38 g total fat, 22 g saturated fat, 105 mg cholesterol, 2,300 mg sodium, 67 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 36 g sugar, 26 g protein.

DEVIL’S FOOD CHOCOLATE CAKE

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup hot coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• >> Frosting
• 1 cup milk
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

In large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and sugar. Add oil, coffee and milk; mix at medium speed 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; beat 2 more minutes. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pan and bake 45 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes, then cool completely on baking rack.

To make frosting: In a saucepan over low heat, combine milk and flour; cook until thick, whisking constantly. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

In medium bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add chilled milk and flour mixture; beat 10 more minutes. Frost cooled cake. Serves 8.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 320 calories, 19 g total fat, 6 g saturated fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 26 g sugar, 3 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.