Bird Cupcakes

Trevor is very interested in birds.  He loves building and decorating birdhouses and is always asking if we can make birdfeeders.  Every once in a while, we make edible ornaments or pinecone feeders for the birds.  It's so much fun to watch the birds enjoy the treats.

My mom is an avid birdwatcher and subscribes to Birds & Bloom magazine.  After she's finished with them, she passes her issues along to us.  As I was flipping through the December/January 2013 issue, I found a no-bake recipe by Susan Ebnit that I knew Trevor would love to make.  By using Valentines cupcake liners, the finished Bird Cupcakes were a perfect seasonal gift for his feathered friends. 

We made some tweaks to Susan's recipe.  Here's our version.  

Bird Cupcakes

                            1/4 c. shortening                1/2 c. sunflower seeds

                            1/2 c. peanut butter           1/4 c. craisins

                            1 1/2 c. cornmeal

Add shortening and peanut butter to a medium bowl.  Heat in microwave for 20 seconds or until soft.  Stir in cornmeal and most of the sunflower seeds.   

 

Insert 6 cupcake liners into pan, then pack mixture evenly into liners.  Use the remaining sunflower seeds and craisins to decorate the tops of the cupcakes.

 

Put the completed cupcakes into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. 

 

That's all there is to it!

We weren't sure what birds would eat these or what the best locations would be, so we spread them in different places around the yard.  This one is on our back fence. 

 

Here's one in the orange tree.

 

Another went into our plum tree. 

What a fun way to say Happy Valentine's Day to the birds!