A Little Structure Goes a Long Way FINDING SUMMER RHYTHM
One of the biggest shifts in summer is the loss of routine. While that freedom is part of what makes the season fun, it can also make days feel a little unpredictable, for both kids and parents. The good news is that structure doesn’t have to mean a packed schedule. Even a loose rhythm to the day can make a big difference:
• A consistent morning routine • A general plan for the afternoon • A regular bedtime (with a little flexibility, of course)
For working parents, this can be especially helpful. Knowing what the day will roughly look like, even if it changes, can reduce stress and help everyone feel more grounded. The goal isn’t to control every moment. It’s simply to create enough consistency that the day feels manageable. A little structure doesn’t take away from summer; it helps everyone enjoy it more.
DIRECTIONS 1. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat until it starts to foam, about 3 minutes. 3. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook, stirring constantly with a silicone spatula, until the bubbling stops and the little specks of milk solids begin to turn golden, another 2–3 minutes. Watch carefully at this stage; you want the milk solids to go from golden to a medium-dark brown, but not black. 4. Immediately turn off the heat and add the marshmallows and salt to the pot to stop the butter from cooking any further. 5. Stir to coat all the marshmallows in the hot, browned butter until they’re well coated and begin to soften, about 1 minute. 6. Return heat to low and stir until the marshmallows are almost smooth (some small lumps are okay), 1–2 minutes more. 7. Be patient at this stage; you want the marshmallows to melt evenly and gently, softening all the way through without reaching a boil. (If you apply too much heat, the sugars can caramelize and you could end up with harder Rice Krispies treats.) Turn off the heat. 8. Stir in the vanilla. 9. Add the cereal and, using a large silicone spatula, fold the mixture until all the cereal is coated. 10. Pour into the prepared baking pan. 11. Using the spatula, gently push and spread the cereal out to fill the pan. (For the most delicate, fluffiest treats, avoid pressing down, as you don’t want to pack them in.) 12. While still warm, top the treats with rainbow sprinkles and a very light sprinkle of flaky salt, if using. 13. Let cool for at least 30 minutes to set before cutting. 14. Once cool, remove from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. 15. Using a serrated knife, cut it into a 4-by-4 grid to make 16 squares. 16. Treats keep best for up to 5 days, stored in an airtight container at room temperature. 17. Enjoy!
BEST RICE KRISPIES TREATS These classic treats are salty-sweet and the perfect balance of crispy, gooey, soft, and chewy. This version is enhanced by deeply browned butter. But here, a good amount of salt balances out the sweetness and includes a secret to achieving the perfect texture: The marshmallows are cooked gently to prevent the sugars from caramelizing, which can turn your treats hard and dry. You can easily double this recipe, and use a 9-by-13 pan, but you’ll end up with slightly taller treats (which is not a bad thing). The rainbow sprinkles are optional but highly recommended!
INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter plus extra for greasing • 1 (12-oz) bag marshmallows (preferably standard size)
• 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal • Rainbow sprinkles (optional) • Flaky salt (optional)
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