Bird seed ornament mix

Course Pet Treats

Cuisine American

Keyword backyard birds, bird feeding, kids crafts, winter birds

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Birdseed bound with flour, gelatin and corn syrup and molded in a muffin tin, then hung with string.

Ingredients

4 cups birdseed
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup hot water
1 packet unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
Muffin tin (mold) wooden spoon, string (about 12" per ornament)

Directions

Stir the birdseed and flour together in a large bowl.
Heat the water until it is hot enough to dissolve the gelatin, then stir in the gelatin until it dissolves.
Mix in the corn syrup.
Pour over the birdseed and flour and stir until evenly combined.
Pack into the muffin tin cups and press a hole into each one with the handle of a wooden spoon.
Refrigerate overnight to harden (the freezer is faster), then lift out with a spatula.
Run about 12" of string through the hole and tie a knot.

Notes

Hang in tree branches. Ornaments kept at room temperature for about a week can go moldy; keep made-ahead ornaments in the fridge or freezer. They hold up well outdoors in freezing weather. Safety: use natural string or twine and take down leftover string so birds don't get tangled; take down moldy ornaments.