DIY Birdseed Shapes

This nifty DIY project is not only a great way to keep the kids busy on a rainy winters day, but the festive seed shapes will also keep the birds happy when spring arrives! The recipe makes about 21 x 5cm hearts but you can use any shaped cookie cutters you have in the house.

You’ll need:

• ¾ cup of cake flour
• ½ cup water
• 2½ tsp of unflavored gelatin
• 3 tbsp corn syrup
• 4 cups birdseed
• Non-stick spray

In terms of “equipment”, you’ll need:

• A large mixing bowl
• A 5cm cookie cutter (heart, flower, etc.)
• A chopstick or bamboo skewer
• Parchment paper
• A baking tray
• String or raffia
• Scissors

Now to get started:

1. Mix flour the water, gelatin and corn syrup together, then add the birdseed and stir well until combined.
2. Coat the inside of your cookie cutter with the non-stick cooking spray.
3. Line the baking tray with parchment paper and place the cookie cutter on top.
4. Spoon the birdseed mixture into cookie cutter, and press the seeds into place with greased fingers. Remember: Pressing it down firmly means less of the seeds will fall off once it’s dry, so put some pressure on it.
5. Use your chopstick or bamboo skewer to “punch “ a hole near the top of the heart, and gently pull the stick out again. If the hole “collapses”, it means your mixture is too runny – this can be remedied by adding more birdseeds, flour and a sprinkle of gelatin.
6. Carefully slide the cookie cutter off the birdseed heart.
7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 until all the mixture is used up. Be sure to spray the cookie cutter after every six hearts so that the mixture won’t stick
8. Allow the tray of hearts to dry on the parchment paper for 6 to 8 hours – or better yet, overnight.
9. Cut a length of string or raffia for each heart – about 25 to 30cm should do the trick so that it’s long enough to hang on a small branch.
10. Thread the string through the hole in the heart, tie a knot and voila!