How to Make a Formed Bird Seed Ornament
When you're decorating your home for the holidays, don't forget the feathered and furry creatures that share your yard. The birds and squirrels who stick around for the winter would certainly appreciate it if you adorned a tree with tasty ornaments made from bird seed. These charming yet practical decorations make a nice gift for bird lovers, as well.
Things You'll Need
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/4 oz unflavored gelatin
- 4 cups bird seed
- Small pan
- Spoon
- Whisk
- Medium bowl
- Small molds
- Waxed paper and cookie cutters
- Cooking spray
- Drinking straw or skewer
Instructions
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1
Combine water and corn syrup in a small pan. Stir over medium heat until the mixture comes just to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in unflavored gelatin until the gelatin is dissolved.
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2
Add flour, whisking the mixture as you slowly pour in the flour. Continue whisking until the combination is smooth and thoroughly combined. The mixture should have the consistency of brownie batter. If it is too thick, stir in a teaspoon of water at a time until the mixture reaches the right consistency.
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3
Measure bird seed into a medium mixing bowl. Pour the corn syrup mixture over the bird seed and stir gently. Make sure all of the bird seed is coated with the corn syrup mixture.
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4
Spray small molds, such as muffin tins or candy molds, with cooking spray. Spoon the bird seed mixture into the molds. If you do not have molds, coat waxed paper with cooking spray. Pour the mixture onto the waxed paper and press it down into a two-inch-thick layer. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
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5
Poke a hole at the top of each bird seed ornament using a drinking straw or skewer. Allow the ornaments to dry for three to four hours. If they were dried in molds, turn them out onto waxed paper. If they were dried on waxed paper, flip them over. Allow the ornaments to finish drying overnight. Tie ribbon or raffia through the holes and hang the ornaments on a tree.
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