Kids love to help in the kitchen, and “Made It Myself” Tasty Treats provide a perfect summer activity that every kid will enjoy decorating – and eating.

Rice cereal treats are traditionally square, but with some dazzling decorations and a little imagination, they can go totally outside the box. Mom and Dad will need to stir up the ingredients – dried fruits and nuts bring extra flavor and crunch to the traditional recipe – but once the treats cool, the kids can commandeer the kitchen.

Use cookie cutters to create all sorts of clever confections. Add icing, sprinkles and sugars to flip-flop cutouts for cute kicks – they’re sure to make a splash. Or try glitzy sunglasses decked out with Sparkle Gel and colorful candies, vibrantly bright bears with bowties, and more – the possibilities are endless.

These goodies look too awesome to eat, but when children get a hold of them, the only evidence remaining will be on their sticky fingers. For more summer decorating ideas or to purchase toppings, pans, Sparkle Gel and other supplies, visit www.wilton.com.

“Made It Myself” Tasty Treats

Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

1½ packages (10 to 11 ounces each) regular marshmallows (about 60 marshmallows)

9 cups crisp rice cereal

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup assorted diced dried fruit

1 cup pecans or other nuts, chopped (optional)

Tools

Metal cookie cutters: ice cream cone, sunglasses, sandal, cupcake, bear, jersey or other favorites.

Decorative icing kits, sparkle gel and sprinkles.

Adult duties: Line 12x18-inch cookie pan with plastic wrap, allowing wrap to overhang pan edges, about 2 inches. Spray plastic wrap with vegetable pan spray. In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows; stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal, dried fruit and, if desired, nuts; mix thoroughly. Firmly press cereal mixture into prepared pan. Cool completely, at least 30 minutes. Carefully remove treat from pan by lifting out plastic wrap to cake board or other flat surface. Set out assorted icing and sprinkles.

Kids can cut rice cereal treats using cookie cutters. Decorate as desired with icing, sparkle gel and sprinkles.