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How to Make 3-Layer Magic Cake The magic happens when the cake batter separates into three distinct layers in the oven. Thanks to a low oven temperature (325 F), the liquid-y batter settles into a thick, fudgy bottom layer and a custard center. The whipped egg whites, folded into the batter just before baking, rise to the top to form a layer of delicate sponge cake. Because the order and preparation of ingredients are crucial to success, be sure to separate your eggs cleanly—that means no yolk bits in your egg whites—and beat the whites in a clean, dry bowl (metal or copper is best)....

That said, if you do want to knock their socks off, we have some ideas for over-the-top forts they’ll be talking about for years to come. Building blanket forts can take as much time as you like, be done over and over again with new twists and variations, and be enjoyed for minutes, hours, or days before you take it down and start anew. We think this ranks up there with one of the best things to do indoors (if not the best)....

Easy Frozen Banana Ice Cream Recipe Making homemade banana ice cream is beyond simple. All it requires are frozen bananas, a blender, and patience (which is probably the most difficult part). Here’s how to make this popular, relatively healthy dessert in five easy steps: 4 Ways to Enjoy Frozen Bananas Frozen bananas are probably more versatile than you might think. Aside from whipping up “ice cream”, you can also add them to smoothies, frozen cocktails, or enjoy them in other tasty frozen treats....

The good news? When done right, oven fries can give their deep-fried counterparts a run for their money. So go ahead and crank the heat—or fire up your air fryer—as you follow these six smart rules of thumb. RELATED: This Is the Best (and Only) Way to Make Potatoes in Your Air Fryer RELATED: How You Arrange Your Oven Racks Can Make You a Better Cook

In the years since I said au revoir to France, I kicked my two-toast-a-day habit—but Nutella’s popularity has exploded. You can buy Nutella clothing, visit a Nutella cafe, or even join 31 million other people and become a fan of it on Facebook (that’s more fans than U2 has!). I still have Nutella for breakfast every once in a while (and, um, eat it straight out of the jar), but there are lots of reasons to lighten up on your consumption....

But if you’ve resisted the roasting pan for fear of it taking too long, overheating the house in warmer months, or if you’ve had a bad experience that ended in mushy oblivion, we have the easiest way to upgrade your roasting game that’ll solve all three of these issues. Simply preheat your baking sheet in the oven as it heats up. Why? First, it’ll save you time. As soon as you turn on the oven, place your pan inside and let it get hot (about 10 minutes is best, but this is forgiving) as you simultaneously prep your produce....

“Many things can strip the moisture in fingernails, but the common culprit is washing and drying the hands multiple times a day and frequently using detergents, household cleaners, and nail polish remover.” Keep a hand lotion or cuticle oil—such as OPI ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil To-Go ($10; ulta.com) in your car, purse, or at your desk. RELATED: How to Pick the Best Nail Shape for Your Hands However, removal needs to be done properly and, ideally, by a pro....

Clearly, customizing a martini to your specific palate is important. If you’ve been drinking them for years, you probably know exactly how you like yours, but if you’re new to martini land, welcome! We recommend tinkering with a few different ingredients (and ratios) to find what suits you. No matter how you mix it, H. L. Mencken was real woke when he said, “Martinis are the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet....

RELATED: Surprise, Watermelon Is So Much Healthier Than You Thought

In this episode of Play Money, Lomas gives you a plan of attack for a perfect dinner party on a $25, $100, and $1,000 budget. Under $25 Dinner Party For under $25, Lomas keeps it simple—a tasty mushroom risotto, some roasted asparagus, and a glass of wine for each guest, from the bottle she opened for her risotto. “Trader Joe’s Two-Buck Chuck is a great value,” she says. “When you’re cooking, you don’t have to worry about if a wine is super tasty, but I had a glass—and who’s going to turn down wine?...

What Is Salt? Salt is a crystalline compound called sodium chloride that is most commonly used to preserve and season food—but there are many types of salt that all render a distinct texture, taste, and purpose for your cooking needs. The differences between a salt’s color, shape, and taste are attributed to the location the salt is mined and how it is harvested. For example, Himalayan salt comes from the Himalayan Mountains and gets its appealing pink color from the minerals (like magnesium, iron oxide, potassium, and calcium)....

First, soak the workout gear in a mix of one part distilled white vinegar to four parts cold water immediately after wearing them. Not enough time in the day to work out and wash? Don’t sweat it. Leverette says it’s okay to wait a few days but avoid re-wearing, which will cause body soil (dead skin cells, sweat, and body oils) to set in and bacteria to multiply. “Wash with a heavy-duty detergent that contains enough enzymes to ‘bust’ the oily body soil,” Leverette says, noting that Tide and Persil are the top-ranked brands....

What You Need pie dough, rolling pin, pie plate, flour Follow These Steps

Rest assured, there’s still time to act, whether you start saving for retirement at 25, 35, or 55. Whatever your retirement goals—maintaining your current lifestyle, upgrading, or making a dramatic move—we’ll help you find the right path forward. Our experts guide you one step (and life stage) at a time. If You Haven’t Started Saving You’re not alone. A 2019 Federal Reserve Board report revealed that 25 percent of working Americans have nothing saved for retirement....

Perhaps you’ve built a bar in your backyard for this unprecedented summer, or just gotten creative with your rooftop to recreate your favorite going-out experience. Maybe just the concept of hosting a fun, delicious, and safe gathering has paralyzed you with anxiety, but Real Simple is here to help you unwind, socialize, and sip at a distance. Have hand sanitizer at the ready and create your socially distanced bar with these DIY drinks that guests can mix up themselves!...

“Would you ever let your child climb behind the wheel of a car and drive away without instruction, practice, or tips on how the car works? Of course not, because doing so could have a devastating outcome,” says Gregg Murset, a certified financial planner and the founder of chore and personal finance app BusyKid. “The result of a child growing up without a clue of how to earn or manage money can be just as problematic to the entire family....

On This Episode Once you’ve paid off your debt, established an emergency fund, and started investing for retirement, you’ve got your financial fundamentals in place—but is it enough to afford the future you want for yourself? And if not, what should you do next? This week, Stefanie interviews certified financial planner Douglas Boneparth about how to prioritize your savings and investments and what to consider after you’ve maxed out your retirement accounts....

While we appreciate impeccable luxury cosmetics that accomplish exactly what they promise, we don’t always love the price tag that accompanies them. That’s why we love this time of year. Starting today through Cyber Monday, (November 28) you can score 20 percent off during Ilia Beauty’s sitewide Black Friday sale using code WONDERLAND at checkout. Whether you’re knocking some holiday shopping off your list or are looking to upgrade your makeup bag and skincare shelf, Ilia Beauty has you covered with conscious formulas backed by SPF....

Reader question: Are gel manicures actually bad for my nails? Should I be taking a break in between? —Rita Watson I’m a serial gel manicure wearer. As someone who is very hands-on in her lifestyle, the promise of a chip-free, virtually indestructible manicure is enticing—and highly addictive. My back-to-back gel manicure appointments came to a temporary halt when I realized that my nail beds were becoming extremely thin and brittle....