Easy no-bake goodies

Family Features

Summer is a great time to get kids into the kitchen to make some snacks and desserts. Whether you need something to take to a picnic or just something to do on a rainy day, making easy, no-bake goodies like Rice Krispies Treats Æ can show kids just how fun cooking can be.

Even young children can be kitchen helpers, so the whole family can get involved. What can your child do to help prepare a recipe?

2- to 3-year-olds can:

Wash and scrub fruits and vegetables

Name and count foods

3- to 4-year-olds can:

Shape foods

Mix dry ingredients together

Pour pre-measured liquids into batter

4- to 5-year-olds can

Help measure ingredients

Open packages

Pour cereal

Mash soft fruits and vegetables

Press cookie cutters into dough or soft food

6-year-olds and up can:

Beat recipe ingredients with a whisk

Help locate ingredients in a spice rack or pantry

Make some summer magic with these tasty no-bake recipes for Choco P’Nutty Bars, Itsy Bitsy Fruit Pies and Ice CreamSandwich Treats. For even more kid-friendly recipes you can make together, visit www.Ricekrispies.com.

Note: The following recipes should be made with adult supervision.

Kid-friendly Kitchen Tips:

Children of all ages should have an adult assistant with them at all times when cooking.

Chefs 7 and older can measure the ingredients and help stir the melted chocolate into the cereal.

Little ones, ages 3 to 6, will enjoy pressing the mixture into the muffin cups and decorating with the fruits and whipped cream.

Make sure to have plenty of extra fruits for snack ing while making these little pies.

Ice Cream Sandwich Treats

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Servings: 10 to 12

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 10 ounce-package (about 40) marshmallows, or 4 cups miniature marshmallows

2 teaspoons vanilla

6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal

1/2 cup assorted sprinkles

2 pints desired flavor ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet or gelato

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.

Add cereal. Stir until well coated.

Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture to 1/4-inch thickness on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Decorate with sprinkles. Refrig erate for 15 minutes.

Remove from refrigerator. Using 2-inch cookie cutters coated with cooking spray, cut into desired shapes. Place small scoop of ice cream on undeco rated side of one cut-out. Top with another cut-out, decorated side up. Gently press together. Return to baking sheet. Repeat with remaining cut-outs and remaining ice cream.

Freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer to airtight container. Freeze for 2 hours to 1 week. Let stand at room tem perature for 10 minutes before serving.