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    Home » DIY Projects

    How to Make Your Own Birdseed Cakes

    by Patti Estep · Jan 23, 2023

    Jump to How-to Card

    Learn how to make these easy birdseed cakes that you can hang outdoors during the winter months to help the birds who don't migrate south. A quick and simple way to provide much needed help to our feathered friends.

    Birdseed cake with twine through the middle and scissors on the side.

    If you live in a colder climate then you know that not all birds fly south during the winter. Typically these birds are able to find food sources such as seeds and sometimes insects. However, many people like to put up bird feeders and other treats to help them out.

    After all, they do add a lot to the scenery when the garden is dormant and snow blankets the earth.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Supplies for birdseed cakes including a bag of birdseed, a muffin tin, twine, gelatin packets, straws and scissors.

    Supplies

    • birdseed
    • packages of unflavored gelatin
    • water
    • Muffin tin with 12 muffin sections
    • Non-stick cooking spray
    • Straws
    • Twine
    A small bowl with gelatin powder mixed with cool water and spoon.

    How to Make Birdseed Cakes

    Start by mixing a little cool water with the powdered gelatin in a small bowl.

    A small bowl with gelatin mixture and hot water mixed with a wire whisk.

    Then when you add the boiling water it will be less likely to gum up and will mix thoroughly.

    A large bowl of birdseed mixed with gelatin mixture and a spoon.

    Add the gelatin mix to regular packaged birdseed.

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    A 12 unit muffin tray filled with the birdseed and gelatin mixture.

    Spray some cooking oil in a muffin tray and then press in the birdseed and gelatin mix into each section.

    Black and white striped cut straws in the middle of each birdseed cake inside the muffin tins.

    Next, cut up some straws and place them in the middle of each cake.

    A hand lifting a birdseed cake out of the muffin tin by the straw.

    After about an hour check on the cakes. Make sure the straw is through the entire cake.

    One birdseed cake threaded onto a length of twine with a double knot just below the cake.

    Then string one or more cakes onto some twine to hang outdoors.

    Note: This is meant for areas with a cold climate. If it gets too warm the cakes may melt.

    Three birdseed cakes threaded onto twine with double knots under each spaced out about 4 inches apart hanging on a tree branch.

    Here you can see how I hung a set of three birdseed cakes onto one length of twine, leaving space for the birds to perch between each cake by tying a double knot underneath.

    A blue plastic container holding eight birdseed cakes next to a spool of twine and a pair of scissors.

    Store extra cakes in a plastic container with a lid in the refrigerator or freezer.

    Twine on tree branch with no bird seed cakes.

    The first set was gone overnight. I suspect that the squirrels got to them.

    Three bird seed cakes hanging from a shepherd's hook with a chickadee eating the bottom cake.

    However, this set was hung on a shepherd's hook (much harder for the squirrels to get to) and though it's not the greatest picture quality, you can see that the chickadees are enjoying the feast.

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    More Bird Projects

    • 9 Ways to Help Birds During the Winter
    • Homemade Suet Cakes
    • Water Bottle Bird Feeder
    • DIY Clay Birdhouse
    Birdseed cakes with twine through the middle.
    Birdseed cakes with twine and scissors
    Print

    Bird Seed Cake Recipe

    Make some birdseed cakes to hang outdoors during the winter to help birds that don't migrate.
    Active Time20 minutes mins
    Additional Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 12
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $5 -10

    Equipment

    • Scissors

    Materials

    • 4 cups birdseed
    • 2 packages of unflavored gelatin
    • 3 tablespoons water
    • 1/2 cup boiling water
    • Muffin tin with 12 muffin sections
    • Non-stick cooking spray
    • Straws
    • Twine

    Instructions

    • Combine gelatin powder with 3 tablespoons of room temperature water and mix well.
    • Add 1/2 cup boiling water to the gelatin mix and whisk until smooth.
    • Add the gelatin mixture to the birdseed and mix well.
    • Spray the cups in the muffin tin with non-stick vegetable spray.
    • Spoon in birdseed mixture evenly among all muffin sections.
    • Lightly press the birdseed mixture into place.
    • Cut up straws and place a section into the center of each birdseed muffin.
    • Let sit for about an hour.
    • Lift out the birdseed cakes and check to see that the straw is the whole way through.
    • Remove straws.
    • Thread cakes onto a length of twine and hang them outside.
    • Keep the remaining birdseed cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

    Notes

    You can space out a few of the birdseed cakes on the twine by tying a double knot under the cake to hold them in place.
    Try to find a spot to hang your cakes where other animals such as squirrels and chipmunks can't get to them before the birds.
    This is meant for areas with a cold climate. If it gets too warm the cakes may melt.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy B

      January 27, 2023 at 9:26 am

      love this idea! I made some last week but with lard....so these are so much cheaper to create! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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