Anyone got any good suet cake recipes please? (1 Viewer)

[Dawnypops]

I was just trying to make a nutritious suet cake that will cater for as many birds as possible. I would be grateful for and suggestions. :h?:

 

[Katy Penland]

Hi, Dawnypops, you might want to do a "search" of the forums as there have been several threads on this very subject. :t:

 

[Dawnypops]

Hi, Dawnypops, you might want to do a "search" of the forums as there have been several threads on this very subject. :t:

Thanks for that Katy, I've got more of an idea now & made some of my own today. I was wondering though if I have put too much lard in them, as the birds all seem to get it stuck all over their beeks. Is this a normal thing? :hippy:

 

[ProthonotaryWarbler]

Dawnypops,

In my recipe the birds dont get it on their beaks beacuse it is good and hard after you freeze it for a few hours. I use a mixture of 1.5 cups lard 2 cups cornmeal 2 cups oatmeal 1 cup flour 1/3 cup sugar 1 cup peanut butter and I also put in sunflower seeds white millet golden raisins, and berries (I prefer mulberries). The birds LOVE this recipe. Try this and see how it works out for you.

 

[javva]

Yes lard – a bad choice I have found. As you have noticed the birds come up covered in the stuff. I found the cheapest Tesco (or other brand) suet much better for the purpose. (IMO)

I used clean yogurt pots to form the shape. With pan on stove, melt suet but don’t get the fat too hot. Add your preferred feed to soak up the fat then transfer to the pots, put out to set and hey- presto, bird cakes.

It is even possible to add a string though the base so they can be taken out of the pots and hung up.

To make round balls like the one you can buy you could spoon some into quality plastic bags when it’s cooled down a little. You can mould them to shape before they set.





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[Talon 1]

The cheapest lard i can find is Atora at about a £1 a standard bar. If anyone knows a cheaper one please tell.

Thanks

 

[javva]

I’m pretty sure that the Tesco Beef suet (250g) was only 79p a pack!

I did use block of the lard I had left over from another blend to bulk up the amount I had for my mix.
The addition of the suet made the final product so much firmer and a superior ‘cake’.







. :t:

 

[Dawnypops]

Lard V Suet

The cheapest lard i can find is Atora at about a £1 a standard bar. If anyone knows a cheaper one please tell.

Thanks

I found the cheapest lard in Asda around 40p for a 500g block! However, due to other peoples advice on this thread I think I will at least be mixing it with some suet for the sake of sticky beaks & the fact that being so sticky it micght get stuck in little birds throats......

 

[Dawnypops]

Dawnypops,

In my recipe the birds dont get it on their beaks beacuse it is good and hard after you freeze it for a few hours. I use a mixture of 1.5 cups lard 2 cups cornmeal 2 cups oatmeal 1 cup flour 1/3 cup sugar 1 cup peanut butter and I also put in sunflower seeds white millet golden raisins, and berries (I prefer mulberries). The birds LOVE this recipe. Try this and see how it works out for you.

Thanks for the recipe youngbirder, however can you tell me what the equivalent to cornmeal would be in England please, if you know. Can't wait to get a mixture they love as much as soaked bread (I know it's not the best for them but they do seem to love it more than anything else) & yours sounds great!

 

[Dawnypops]

Yes lard – a bad choice I have found. As you have noticed the birds come up covered in the stuff. I found the cheapest Tesco (or other brand) suet much better for the purpose. (IMO)

I used clean yogurt pots to form the shape. With pan on stove, melt suet but don’t get the fat too hot. Add your preferred feed to soak up the fat then transfer to the pots, put out to set and hey- presto, bird cakes.

It is even possible to add a string though the base so they can be taken out of the pots and hung up.

To make round balls like the one you can buy you could spoon some into quality plastic bags when it’s cooled down a little. You can mould them to shape before they set.





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Thanks for that, Javva

Very good advice, sounds fun rolling the balls.... :bounce: