Since I have not been able to make it to Presque Isle for over a month now I thought I would post this suet recipe I make for my backyard birds.
Winter is upon us and as we cozy up with a hot drink watching the winter resident birds at our feeders dashing in and out of the trees and shrubs think about what it takes for them to keep warm. One way for them to build up their fat content is with the protein and fat from suet. So as you are whipping up those holiday cookies here is a simple easy suet recipe for our little friends.
I make this suet through the winter months and love watching the birds devour the suet cake in a matter of days sometimes. I got this recipe from Julie Zickefoose’s blog which became quite popular and known as ‘Zick Dough’
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup lard
- 2 cups yellow corn meal
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1 cup flour
I don’t buy the expensive peanut butter. Store brand will do just fine and I purchase the large tub of lard at WalMart in the baking section. I store both in a cupboard and they keep well even through the summer months.
I melt the lard and peanut butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for about 3 minutes. This would depend on your power setting so keep an eye on it so it does not burn. Or melt it on the stove top over low heat.
I then add the dry ingredients and stir till blended. If you want to take this a step further you can add some peanuts or seed or both. On occasions I will.
After mixing I then pour the dough evenly into 3 Ziploc square containers. Set aside to cool and set. For quick setting I’ll put one in the freezer for about a half hour.
I keep them in the container till it is time to fill the suet basket. I found that the Ziploc container filled about half way was just the right size to make the suet cake to fit the square wire baskets.
This suet dough attracts several birds, and I get a kick when all of them want to get to the suet all at once. Makes me feel good knowing I’m making a special treat they love to eat. And thanks Julie for posting about your suet dough and sharing with us.
This looks like my weekend! I use whole wheat flour with this recipe. I love the container idea. I store in larger containers and cut pieces off, but this looks way easier!
Andrea yep I sure found it easier. And the containers are reusable. I like the idea of whole wheat flour also.
Thanks for sharing, Toni, I’ve been meaning to look up a recipe for this as I have some PB I need to use before it spoils!
No problem Laure. You will find it quite easy to make.
I make something very similar to this (I think it’s from Julie Z. as well) but use chunky PB (store brand). When the mix is all melted and mixed I spread it in a Texas sheet cake pan, throw it in the freezer for an hour or so. I then cut it into squares to fit a standard suet cage and put each square in a zip lock sandwich bag. Then I stack ‘em up in the freezer door. I better get crackin’ and make some because it’s become a Christmas gift tradition.
Just LOVE this site of yours Toni! Glad I found it!
Thanks Maree. Soon Michele, Brian and I will be posting more often.
Thank you for the suet recipe, I’ll try it on my backyard friends. We fell in love with Presque Isle last summer, so much that we want to move to Erie PA from Buffalo NY
Lorraine, your welcome. Hope you can make the move someday.