Easy Suet for the Birds

When I saw the Instructables "For The Birds Speed Challenge" I knew I wanted to make something that the wild birds in my yard could eat. I had done an Instructable not too long ago that I made bird seed heart ornaments to hang on the trees so I had to think of something else. I thought of suet. This is an easy recipe that contains some tasty ingredients you already have on hand! I know the birds in my yard will love eating them! Here is how you can quickly make suet for the birds in your yard.

Step 1: What You Need:

medium mixing bowl

spatula

small microwaveable bowl

silicone molds - I used donut shapes and sunflower cupcake shapes

Step 2: Ingredients Needed

1 cup quick cooking oats

1 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup shortening

Step 3: The Dry Ingredients

Combine the oats, cornmeal, flour, and sugar in a medium sized mixing bowl.

Step 4: Microwave the Shortening

Melt the shortening in a microwave safe bowl on high (100%) power. This will take 30 to 45 seconds.

Step 5: Add to the Bowl

Add the peanut butter and the melted shortening to the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl.

Step 6: Stir Well

Stir to combine everything together.

Step 7: Press Into Molds

Press the mixture into individual molds. Put the molds into the refrigerator to harden for 2 to 3 hours.

Step 8: Remove From Molds

The suet cakes easily come out of the silicone molds.

Step 9: Pretty Sunflowers!

I think the sunflower shapes are very pretty!

Step 10: Tie Ribbon

If there is a hole in your suet like these donut shaped ones, you can tie them with ribbon to hang on your trees.

Step 11: Hanging the Suet

I tied this one in a red maple tree.

Step 12: Another View

Here are 2 that are hanging in another tree.

Step 13: Suet in a Bird Feeder

You can put the suet cakes into a bird feeder. Our birds love treats so I'm sure they will love eating my suet.

I hope you try making these. They were fun to make and you can enjoy watching your wild birds eating them!!

Comments

[charlessenf-gm]

Wonnerful, wonnerful! I'll have to see if my granddaughter will make some for us! Excellent school project! Imagine the elementary school's trees so decorated each spring. Could one add food coloring? My wife tells me not to do so for the humming birds - not clear on the Science myself.
I was thinking that different classes would create different colored Suet doughnuts - sort of a competition to see which ones attracted the most birds or squirrles!

[Ronna Farley]

Aw that would be great! The birds did break the doughnut shaped ones. The round solid ones kept their shapes.

[reattoir]

How well do these suets hold up in hot or rainy weather? I buy suet but these seem like a less expense way to go and much easier.

[Ronna Farley]

Thanks for the question. It did rain here and it did get hot. They kept their shapes. I liked the solid ones better than the ones with the hole in the middle. The birds broke the ones that were hanging. I just checked the bird feeder. The birds ate them all completely in one week! I'm sure they are happy!!!! I'll have to make them again!

[2pigsfly]

Could you please let me know how many this recipe makes? Looks great - thank you 😊

[Ronna Farley]

It depends on the size of your molds. I made 8. Hope you try it! The birds have enjoyed them!

[vbanaszak]

I don't think I would put the sugar in there. It probably isn't good for the birds. Dried berries would be good though.

[Ronna Farley]

Okay. That is a good suggestion.

[jreidy1]

The heck with the birds, that looks good enough for me :-)
I don't suppose you have plans for that neat feeder, do you?

[Ronna Farley]

Yeah they smelled really good! My husband is in charge of feeding the birds using the bird feeder. :)