Make these fun birdseed cookies to hang outside as a snack for feathered friends.
BIRDSEED COOKIES
To make birdseed cookies, you’ll need:
- Birdseed
- 1/4 cup cool water
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (Knox is a common brand)
Gather the following supplies:
- Saucepan and spoon
- Cookie cutters
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Cookie Sheet
- A plastic straw
- Twine or string for hanging
BIRDSEED COOKIE INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small saucepan, dissolve gelatin in 1/4 cup of cool water, then bring it to a simmer, while stirring, until all the gelatin is dissolved.
- Add 1 cup birdseed to a bowl. Stir warm gelatin into birdseed until it is coated well. Add more birdseed if needed.
- Place some waxed paper or parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie cutters on the waxed paper and spoon the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutter.
- Fill the cookie cutter to the top and tamp it down with a spoon or your hands to compact the birdseed.
- Insert the straw (included) into the birdseed cookie to create a hole to hang your birdseed cookie. Leave the straw in overnight until the cookie is dry.
- Slide the cookie out of the cutter, insert the twine and hang outside on a bush or tree.
Here’s the illustrated process:
Let your child help you dissolve a packet of gelatin in a small saucepan of cool water. An adult will simmer this in a saucepan, stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
Next, combine your dissolved gelatin mixture and 1 cup of birdseed in a bowl.
Stir the gelatin and the birdseed together until the birdseed is coated all over. If it looks like there’s too much liquid, add a bit more birdseed.
Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper, waxed paper, or aluminum foil. Spray with oil spray if desired to help prevent sticking. Find some fun nature-shaped cookie cutters and spoon the birdseed mixture into them.
Here, I am teaching the grandkids how to make birdseed cookies via Zoom. This is an easy recipe to try remotely because there are not many complicated steps.
The next step is to insert a 2-inch section of a plastic straw into the top of the birdseed cookie so that you’ll be able to run some twine through it later.
Using the back of a spoon or some parchment paper, press the birdseed tightly into the cookie cutters so it can set up. You’ll need to let these set up for at least 24-48 hours until the birdseed is completely dry.
Carefully remove the cookies from the Cookie Sheet, gently press them out of the cookie cutters, then run a piece of twine through the straw opening.
It can be a little tricky to do an online cooking class for grandkids. You’ll probably need an adult on the other end of the call to assist the grandkids. A laptop works fine for filming, but a tablet or a phone will give you more mobility. Just be sure your grandkids can see your work surface clearly.
Hang your cookies out of doors near a window so you can see when the birds come by for a snack.
Get more ideas for learning about birds! Check out our Birdwatching Playdatebox ideas and order a Playdatebox for a grandparent you love or use the ideas in your home with your own children. Download a copy of this month’s Newsletter full of birdwatching activities to get all of the links and the specifics. Then sign up to receive ideas via email every time we create a new box!
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