No-melt suet dough

Course Pet Treats

Cuisine American

Keyword backyard birds, bird feeding, bird suet, bluebirds

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Oats, cornmeal, flour, lard and peanut butter mixed into a dough that holds up better in mild weather.

Ingredients

2 cups quick or rolled oats
2 cups ground cornmeal
1 cup wheat or all-purpose flour
1 cup lard or suet
1 cup natural, unsalted crunchy peanut butter (no added sugar)
Optional (no amounts): dried mealworms; raisins or other dried fruit bits; sunflower seeds or hearts; crushed peanut hearts; eggshells baked and finely crushed

Directions

Slowly melt the lard or suet with the peanut butter until smooth.
Mix in the remaining ingredients until everything is coated.
Press very firmly into suet molds, a cake pan or a muffin tin, or shape into balls or patties, squeezing out as much air as you can.
Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before putting it out.
Freeze any extra cakes.

Notes

Freeze each cake before putting it out so it stays fresher and resists heat. Put out small amounts so it's eaten before it spoils; if not finished in a day, bring it in, refreeze, and put it out the next morning. Place feeders in shade.

Safety: high-fat suet can go rancid or moldy in heat or humidity and attract rats, raccoons and bears; spilled suet can make pets sick; dripping oil can damage feathers.