With the snow coming down it is always fun to do a little
craft. We love all of the birds our region is home to and we figured why not
make them a little treat*? And so, our search for how to make popcorn balls for
birds began.
The things you'll need:
- 8 cups popped plain popcorn (no
salt or butter)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (raisins
and dried blueberries also work)
- 1 cup bird seed
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4 TBSP peanut or almond butter
(unsalted)
- Twine (for hanging your popcorn
balls)
Makes about 12 balls
Directions:
1. Pop your popcorn and pour it into a large bowl.
2. Add your seeds and dried fruit.
3. Heat up your honey in a pan on the stove and add your
unsalted nut butter. Mix it around until it is nice and melty (that's the
scientific term). Remove from heat.
4. Stir in your honey nut butter mixture into the popcorn
mix. Use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly and to give the
popcorn an even coating.
5. Let it cool! You don't want to blister your fingers and
that mix is HOT! After cooling for about 10 minutes hold your hand over the mix
to see if it hot. If not proceed with caution and test a small piece to see if
it is cool.
6. Get to shaping! Keep in mind that this mixture is sticky
so if you happen to have some vinyl gloves lying around they would be helpful.
Otherwise use a little bit of coconut oil or olive oil on your hands to help
prevent sticking.
7. Tie them up with twine and set them out for your lovely,
winged friends to enjoy (and the occasional hungry squirrel).
For the full instructions click here
*** It is important to note that this should be an
occasional treat as birds thrive best on a natural diet! ***
Reprinted with permission from Vision Hudson Valley