A few years ago, we featured these bird seed ornaments in the magazine. This is such a wonderful project and idea that I wanted to share it again. This year, when I make Christmas cookies with my kids, I’m going to sneak in a few “bird cookie ornaments” like this as well. The trick with these is using a gelatin to hold everything together. Here’s the recipe we use, though you can definitely make modifications or bigger batches as you see fit.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 3 Tablespoons corn syrup
- 3/4 cup flour
- 4 cups bird seed (your choice!)
DIRECTIONS
Heat water, gelatin and corn syrup together over a low heat. No need to boil. Mix flour and seed together and then slowly add to gelatin mixture. While cooling, put out parchment paper on our counter, and choose your favorite cookie cutters. Spray those cookie cutters with cooking spray. Next, fill the cutters with the gelatin mixture, pressing in the mixture tightly. Before you remove the ornament, use a straw or toothpick to poke a hole through the ornament (for hanging). Then remove from cookie cutters and let dry for several hours. Once dry, you can attach ribbon or string and hang for the birds!
patty says
This is a wonderful idea and gift. I’m all about feeding the birds so this shares my love of birds and is a gesture from the heart. Thanks for the idea. Can’t wait to get started. 🙂
Noelle says
You are very welcome, Patty! I’d love to hear about what you make 🙂
Noelle
Cathy says
Wow! Love this!
Linda says
Can I add some corn meal for part of the flour?
Susan Shappell says
Linda, I have a similar recipe that calls for both flour & cornmeal so there’s no reason you couldn’t use cornmeal in yours. I don’t know that it makes any great difference as to the ratio of flour to cornmeal – the really important factor is the binding agent which is the corn syrup and gelatin. It might be a trial & error thing but regardless, the birds will still love it!!
Kat says
Is the corn syrup necesessary
Sandy Dailey says
My daughter wants to use seed ornaments for wedding thank you gifts for her guests. She has heard that some recipes develop mold after a while. Have you had any problem with mold with this recipe? Do they store for a long period of time?
Cheryl Verstraeten says
I wanted to use these for wedding favors, but the first batch I made broke rather easily. Can I do something to make them more durable?
Amber says
How many ornaments does a batch make approximately? I know it depends on the size but I’d like to know how many times to double this to make for my wedding.
Cassie says
I’m also interested in these as a wedding favor. I’ve been looking many different sites with no answer on how to keep them from molding. Some are saying to bake in the oven and others are going to try and freeze them. I guess it’s going to be my new project for the next few weeks.nn1
Karin Yoder says
Did you get a reply on the number of ornaments this recipe makes ???
nila says
I got about 18 various Christmas ones out of one batch. Warning, the water/corn syrup/gelatin mixture is foul. I’m 33 weeks pregnant and almost lost my lunch!
Aeronica says
I am also wanting to make wedding favors out of these…I would like to make them ahead of time. Has anyone had any luck? If so what did you do? Thank you!
Diane says
Also wanting to use this for wedding favors, My wedding is 19 days away. Would it be safe to make them this week and have them not mold? and My wedding is in August, would they hold up to the heat if I hang them on the trees for the duration of the reception and still have them stay in one piece for the guests?
NANCY says
CREAT IDEA FOR CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS. BUT THEY MOLD. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP THEM FROM MOLDING.
Kirstin K. says
Can birds digest corn syrup, gelatin or raw flour? If these ornaments are meant to be food, are they safe or harmful to our feathered friends? Most seed eaters probably never encounter any these substances in nature. How about flax seed starch? Suet? Peanut butter or sunflower spread/ butter? Suet?
Becky says
I like Your thinking!! Suet is a great option! Birds also don’t encounter anything but raw seeds in nature so baking is not ok. Getting suet warm and mixing in seed. probably need to leave until firm so maybe some disposable type small paper cups?? not as cute but healthy food! 😉 WIN/WIN!
Harriett says
I tryed this recipe and I must have done something wrong because the never hardened. .?? Anyone know what I did wrong? Thanks
Sherrill says
We tried a gelatine, water recipe. Left them dry 4 days turning them over at least once a day.
Mom says
Thanks so much for warning about mold and not hardening. My son is doing this for a TREP$ project and would’ve been really disappointed! Will try a suet recipe instead maybe.