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Thursday, April 2, 2009

Bird Nests

These are so festive and so cute.


Jack wanted to make a treat for some of his little friends and church teachers. His main job was putting the eggs in the nests. He would have helped shape the nests, but he didn't want to get his hands dirty. What 4 year old little boy doesn't want to get their hands dirty? So his job was "laying" the eggs. Oh, he also made sure the Peeps were eaten as well. Such a helper I have.

Speaking of Peeps, how do you like to eat yours? Ethan and all his family likes theirs stale and dried out. Like you buy a pack of Peeps, open them and let them sit on the counter for a week. I have also heard that some people freeze them. I like them fresh. How do you do Peeps?



There are two varieties of bird nests you can make. Chocolate peanut butter or butterscotch. I like the chocolate peanut butter better because it looks less gooey when the nests are finally set.



Chocolate Peanut Butter:
5 cups chow mein noodles
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter

Butterscotch:
3 cup chow mein noodles
2 cup butter scotch chips

Line two cookie sheet with waxed paper or a Silpat and set aside. In a large bowl, add chow mein noodles and set aside.


In a double boiler over high heat, add the chips (and peanut butter if you are making chocolate peanut butter). Melt until smooth. Pour over chow mein noodles and mix gently until all the noodles are coated.

Using your hands, scoop out mounds of chow mein noodles onto the cookie sheet. Form a hole in the middle and build up the sides. Repeat until all noodles are used. Wash hands and then add robin eggs.

Put the cookie sheet in the fridge and let set for 30 minutes. Once set, remove bird nests and set on a serving platter.

Rookie's Notes: On some of the nests, I sprinkled on toasted coconut. To toast coconut, set your oven to 250 degrees. Spread some sweetened flaked coconut onto a cookie sheet and put into the oven. Toast for 10-15 minutes, being sure to shake the pan often so that the coconut toasts evenly. Remove from oven and let cool before using on the bird nests.

13 comments:

Shanicherie said...

I DONT do peeps. I've just never liked them for some reason! I'd rather have a zillion easter jellybeans. Yum.
Wanted to let you know I tried your basic muffins (you put blackberries in yours) with blueberries and it was SO good! I just might have to make some more this weekend for conference!

rabidrunner said...

Oh peeps! I like to have both chickens and rabbits. Then I bite off the heads of the chickens and put them on the bodies of the rabbits. Or attach the body of a rabbit to another body of a rabbit. I rarely eat them. I like to play mad scientist with them insead.

They need to be fresh, however. They're stickier that way.

voyagingmoon said...

I roast mine. It sounds gruesome, but they taste great. The outer coating of sugar caramelizes much better than that of a normal marshmallow. Perfection.

Michelle @ Twig said...

LOVE. These are super cute. Might have to do these!

Rachel Mae said...

These are adorable. I want to make them for my daughter's upcoming first birthday. How long will they keep for?

ljkc said...

OMG BIRD NESTS!!!! I used to make these EVERY SPRING when I was a little girl!! Awwwww... takin' me back Rookie C... ;)

xo

cat+tadd=sam said...

I love the idea of roasting them, genius. Can't stand them other than the idea of roasting those little devils.

Conf Sunday gathering?

Vanessa and Company said...

I like my Peeps fresh too.

beck said...

funny, check out my blog, its the same thing

Holly Anderson said...

Ever tried putting a peep in the microwave? Now THAT'S something to watch. Nuke it for a minute or so. You'll know when it's done. Go wake the kids and try it now!

[Morgan] said...

oooh! my preschoolers would love this.
i may just do it as a snack for easter/spring!
you rock.

Ashley Thalman said...

mmmmm...chocolate.

Cakespy said...

Delicious and so cute!