Bird Suet Cakes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8 cakes
Description:
Craft these Bird Suet Cakes, a delectable treat for your feathered friends, with this simple recipe from lovewithrecipes.com. These cakes are not only a delightful way to attract birds to your garden but also an enjoyable project for the whole family.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/3 cup lard
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup birdseed (optional)
Instructions:
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Begin by melting the lard and peanut butter together in a microwave-safe bowl, heating them for approximately 3 minutes. Stir the mixture each minute to ensure even melting.
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Once melted, add all the remaining ingredients – cornmeal, flour, oatmeal, sugar, and water – into the bowl. Stir thoroughly until the ingredients are well combined and form a thick, cohesive mixture.
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Prepare a flat pan, ideally sized 9×13 inches, by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it lightly. Transfer the suet mixture into the pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
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Place the pan in the refrigerator to allow the suet mixture to cool and solidify. This typically takes a few hours, but you can expedite the process by leaving it in the freezer for about an hour.
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Once the suet mixture has hardened, remove it from the refrigerator and carefully cut it into your desired shapes and sizes using a sharp knife or cookie cutters.
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Individually wrap each suet cake in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to preserve freshness and prevent them from sticking together.
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Store the wrapped suet cakes in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.
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To feed the birds, place the suet cakes in small mesh bags, such as old produce bags, and hang them in your garden or near bird feeders. Ensure the location is easily accessible to birds but protected from other critters, such as squirrels and raccoons.
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Monitor the suet cakes regularly to ensure they remain fresh and replenish them as needed to keep your avian visitors coming back for more.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 1227.2
- Fat: 91.8g
- Saturated Fat: 27.9g
- Cholesterol: 54mg
- Sodium: 325.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 83.1g
- Fiber: 10.2g
- Sugar: 14.3g
- Protein: 24.5g
Recipe Notes:
- Feel free to customize the suet cakes by adding birdseed or dried fruits to the mixture for added texture and flavor.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, increase the amount of flour or cornmeal in the recipe.
- To attract a wider variety of bird species, consider incorporating different types of seeds, nuts, or dried fruits into the suet mixture.
- Ensure the suet cakes are securely wrapped to prevent them from drying out or absorbing odors in the refrigerator.
- Experiment with different shapes and sizes of suet cakes to accommodate various bird feeders or hanging setups in your garden.
