Winter has arrived! Fluffy piles of snow have accumulated on all of the surfaces. One of my bird feeders is completely encased in snow. It’s time to clear that snow and treat my feathered friends to some birdseed cakes.

I found this recipe for birdseed cakes years ago. They are easy to make with ingredients you likely have on hand. Consider making a batch with the kids when they have a snow day from school and give one to a neighbor. They may not want to go out in the snow but they will enjoy watching the birds feasting on these homemade treats at their bird feeder!

Birdseed Cakes

• ¹⁄₄ cup melted suet or bacon grease 1⁄4 cup peanut butter
• ¹⁄₂ cup birdseed
• 1¹⁄₄ cups yellow cornmeal

Place paper cupcake liners in four of the cups of a regular size cupcake or muffin pan. Mix all of the ingredients together. Divide the mixture among the four lined cups and press down to pack together. Refrigerate until set and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

To “serve,” remove the paper from the cake and place it in the bird feeder or other flat outdoor surface where you feed the birds.

The birds—and squirrels—will thank you!

​Yield: 4 cakes