How To Make Bird Seed Cookies

Winter is here and feathered friends will be hunting for food.  So, we want to share our recipe for DIY Bird Seed Cookies. Now is the time to assist mother nature in feeding your backyard.  My grandchildren and I spent the week-end making bird seed cookies.  The grandchildren had fun, and the birds think they’re delicious.  Check out my other posts on attracting backyard birds before you leave.

how to make birdseed cookies
Making birdseed cookies is a great activity to do with the children on a rainy or cold winter day.  It gets kids involved in nature, and provides an opportunity to discuss school, friends, or any other subject that your children are interested in.  Furthermore, the bird seed cookies are full of protein to help keep our backyard friends warm and their tummy full during the winter.
Once the cookies are made, it provides an opportunity for kids to bird watch.  Grab your binoculars and a camera, and let them start a scrap of the birds that visit.  It also provides an opportunity for them to do research on what birds they are seeing.
Having the kids select the cookie cutters for the project is fun.  Have each child pick out a favorite cookie cutter shape and than get to work.  Here’s what you will need:
    • 3/4 Cup flour
    • 1/2 Cup water
    • 1 Envelope unflavored gelatin
    • 3 TBS Karo corn syrup
    • 4 cups of wild birdseed
    • Mixing bowl
    • Wax paper or non-stick spray
    • Cookie Sheet
    • cookie cutters

 

bird seed cookies

 

This is recipe for DIY Bird Seed Cookies:

 

  • Place all of the ingredients in a bowl except the bird seed and mix until well combined.
  • Mix in the birdseed gradually.
  • Spray your cookie sheet with the non-stick spray or line with the wax paper.
  • Place the cookie cutters on the cookie sheet.
  • Pack each cookie cutter with the birdseed mixture.  (Pack the cookies tightly.  You want the cookies to be thick).

 

 

bird seed cookies

 

So, we used my spring cookie cutters, which include a birdhouse, bird, and the sun to create the treats.  However, use whatever you have on hand.  The kids will enjoy using whatever you have.  Nothing is off limit.  Once the cookies have been created, use a straw to make a hole at the top of each cookie.  Allow the treats to harden over night before you set them out for the birds.  You can place them in the freezer to help things along.  You can also store them in the freezer for future use.  Unfortunately, these cookies don’t do well in the summer.  The summer heat will make them moldy and they will fall apart easily.

Once the cookies have set, lace a piece of twine through the hole of each cookie so you can hang them. Place them on tree branches and bushes, and go bird watching.  My grandchildren think the cookies are cool, and enjoy watching the birds eat the treats through the windows.  Cold, snowy days with a warm fire make the best bird watching days.

 

backyard birds

 

So, be sure to make extra.  You can keep them in the freezer and use them to feed your backyard birds during the winter.  Don’t forget to make a few for friends who love to bird watch too.  They make great gifts.

You may also like:  How To Bring Backyard Birds To Your Feeder or Audubon Birds.  

 

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Comments

  1. What fun but I do have to be careful because of my cats. They like the birds, too!

  2. @cooknwoman – Now that's interesting.  I didn't know dogs liked peanut butter.  I don't have a dog, but I would love to see how they turn out. 

  3. That's wonderful! I hope I will be able to do the same. I'm hoping to make homemade peanut butter dog bones too 🙂

  4. @cooknwoman – Thank you.  I love my grandkids.  We had some much fun making the cookies. We will be making them again for the winter. 

  5. Great recipe- thanks!  What fun with the grand kids – they are so cute and look like they are really having fun 🙂

  6. @J – I enjoy time with my grandchildren.  I'm always looking for fun activities to do with them.  I love your idea on giving the cookies to bird loving relatives as gifts.

  7. That activity is so sweet on several levels. First, just the time those cute kids spent with you. Then the crafting skill, and finally the compassion for animals you've demonstrated. I'm going to use your recipe. It's a lot less messy than the one with just peanut butter and seed – and yours can be given as gifts to bird loving relatives, too!