Bird Cakes

Pets'R'us's Note:

For our feathered friends who need our help in the winter! If possible use flexible molds or muffin pans lined with paper cups. If you don't have flexible molds, immerse the molds in hot water for several seconds before removing the cakes. They also make a nice gift for our human friends who like to look after the birds. It is nice to make this in one large mold and display the cake in your garden (in a safe place away from other animals!) Don't take notice of the yield because that will depend on the size of molds you use. You can also be somewhat flexible with the amounts given in the recipe, they will still turn out well and much better than any store bought cakes for the birds. They love them and my 'garden restauant' is always full of satisfied customers! If you have some netting to put them in you can hang them from a tree branch.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 pies

• 2 lbs hard vegetablefat or 2 lbs lard or 2 lbs suet
• 3 cups bird seed (I buy the winter mix)
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup cornmeal (millet, quinoa or semolina can be substituted)
• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup currant (or other dried fruits)
• 1 cup cracked corn (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large pan start melting the fat.
2. When almost melted, take off the heat, add the rest of the listed ingredients and mix well.
3. Let the mix cool enough for the seeds to be evenly distributed and not sink to the bottom.
4. Fill your molds, cool until set and un-mold.
5. IMPORTANT: Do not use old and used fat from your deep fryer because that is not good for the birds.

Reviews

[Nikoma]

Made these in muffin cups and got 26. Birds and squirrels love them, however next time I'll use more grain/seed/oats etc. The lard/pb mixture could hold a lot more goodies. Thanks a lot PetsRus!

[Recipe Baroness]

What a wonderful treat for the animals, the birds and squirrels, as well as my cats who had a great day of bird watching in store when I put these bird cakes up. Thanks for the recipe!

[terisue]

Made this. It took the birds about a day and a half to try it. And then, it was gone. Will make it again!