Bird Treat Baskets

We like to make these for gifts for birdlovers, and to decorate our trees with our grandchildren, in an effort to instill being kind to our feathered friends. Once they discover these, they should last for 2 months.You can find these small baskets at many craft shops

• Ready In: 24 hrs 20 mins
• Yields: 50 baskets

Ingredients

• 8  lbs beef suet or 8  lbs kidney suet
• 1 1⁄2 cups peanut butter
• 6 -8  cups cornmeal

Directions

1. 10 cups good quality bird seed.
2. 100 muffin liners.
3. 50 3-inch wicker baskets, with handles 50 cranberries.
4. 15 yards red twine or scrap ribbon.
5. TOOLS or EQUIPMENT:.
6. saucepan.
7. large mixing bowls.
8. whisk.
9. tablespoon.
10. Melt the suet in a deep pan over low heat, about 45-60 minute
11. Divide between 2 large bowls, add 3/4 cup of peanut butter to each and whisk inches Then add cornmeal, starting with just 3 cups in each bowl.
12. Stir half the bird seed into each bowl
13. If mixture is too soft, add more cornmeal
14. Chill overnight in refrigerator or garage.
15. Place double muffin liners (don't use foil) in each basket.
16. Leave the suet mixture at room temperature until it is soft enough to scoop out with a tablespoon.
17. Heap the baskets with suet mixture, about 1/2 cup in each basket.
18. Top each with a fresh cranberry, Place any left over suet in a mest potato or onion bag and tie it to the tree.
19. Using 10" lengths of red twine, or 10" scraps of ribbon, tie the basket to tree branches.
20. You can save these baskets and refill immediately or save for next year.