[Edible Bird Nests]

My kids love spotting birds’ nests; especially now, in the leafless trees.  Yesterday as we walked T to preschool, J found one that had fallen out of a tree.  Of course, he wanted to pick it up, bring it home, and put it with the rest of his treasures.  I’ll take the hermit crabs, ant farms, fish, frogs – even encourage them; but I draw the line at birds’ nests.  We compromised and made our own edible bird nests.

To make your own edible birds nest, make a batch of birds nest cookies (no bake cookies, below is my Mom’s recipe).  When dropping cookies onto the wax paper use a spoon to make a dip in the center of each cookie to hold the “eggs”.  Allow the cookies to cool.  Sprinkle colored coconut (see recipe below) in the center of the nest.  Lay egg shaped candy on “nest”.  And no, the butterfly is not edible, but I just love it…so springy!!

 

Birds Nest Cookies

¼ c unsweetened cocoa powder

2 c white sugar

1/2 c milk

1/2 c butter

3 c quick cooking oats

1/2 c peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 pinch salt

Directions:  In medium sauce pan, heat cocoa, sugar, milk and butter over medium heat.   Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute and then remove from heat. Fold in oats, peanut butter and vanilla and salt.  Drop on wax paper.

Tinted Coconut

Add your favorite food coloring to 1-2 tbsp of water until you reach the desired shade. Fill a jar with 2 cups of shredded coconut. Pour in colored water. Close jar and shake until coconut is evenly colored. Spread tinted coconut on paper towels to dry.

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