When the flurries are flyin’ and you’re stuck inside, why not bring a few birds to your window with these homemade birdseed cakes. I had my doubts when I first tried this recipe, but they really are easy to make and the birds love them.
Birdseed Cakes
2015-02-20 14:57:36
This one is for the birds -- homemade seed cakes
Ingredients
- 3/4 c all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c water
- 1 envelope unflavored Knox gelatin
- 4 c birdseed
- nonstick cooking spray
- cookie cutters
- wax paper
- drinking straws
- ribbon or string
Instructions
- Combine the flour, water and gelatin in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
- Add the birdseed to the mixture and stir until well coated.
- Coat the inside of large cookie cutters with the nonstick cooking spray and place the cutters on a sheet of waxed paper.
- Completely fill each of the cutters with the seed mixture, making sure to press it into all the little nooks and crannies.
- Cut a piece of straw for each cookie cutter and carefully insert it into each shape (not too close to the edge) and leave it in place. This will make a hole from which to hang the seed cake.
- Let the filled cutters set for two hours,
- Carefully push the dried seed mixture out of the cutters and onto the wax paper, and remove the straw pieces.
- Allow the shapes to dry overnight.
- Insert a piece of ribbon or string through the holes in your seed cakes, tie them off and hang them from the nearest tree.
Notes
- This is a great kid-friendly project and also makes wonderful gifts.
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So pretty and fun! (Especially for the birds!) Thanks for joining us at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week! Feel free to bring a friend with you 🙂 Happy Friday! #TGIF
Thanks for stopping by, Kristen. See you next week.
I been wanting to make one of these bird seed cake and I’m gonna do it today . Thanks for the recipe.
Did you make your bird seek cakes? I hope your birds enjoyed them!
Disappointing..after mixing the recipe it was so crumbly. Pressed cooled, let set. They fell apart. Needs Karo or something to hold together. Sad face here.
Oh no! I am so sorry it didn’t work for you. I haven’t experienced the crumbling issue, but let me think on what might have happened. I don’t like sad faces.
I have found that the cakes stick together a bit better if I add 3 Tbsp of honey. I boil it in the gelatin mixture to kill possible bacteria. It’s even more sticky than corn syrup.
But I only do this if I’m going to put out the treats right away. If they will be in any sort of dampness, or if the treats are for gifting, the corn syrup is a better option.
Honey can grow mold more easily. I always store the treats in paper lunch sacks or craft paper so they stay dry.
My little seed treats rarely last more than a day with all the chickadees and nuthatches feasting on them. But I do caution against ornaments made with honey being out in damp elements due to bacteria and mold.