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How to Make Your Own Suet Cakes for Backyard Birds

Suet cakes are a high-energy food source that can attract a wide variety of birds to your backyard, especially during the colder months when natural food sources are scarce. And while you can easily buy pre-made suet cakes, making your own allows you to customize the ingredients to attract specific species and save some money in the process. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding project for bird lovers of all ages.

Why Make Your Own Suet Cakes?

Besides the cost savings, making your own suet cakes offers several advantages:

• Control Over Ingredients: You can avoid artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives often found in commercial suet cakes.
• Targeted Bird Attraction: Tailor the ingredients to attract specific bird species. For example, adding berries can attract fruit-eating birds like robins and waxwings, while insects appeal to insectivores like woodpeckers and nuthatches. Consider what species you are hoping to see and supplement the basic recipe accordingly. Need woodpeckers? See our guide on How to Attract Woodpeckers: Suet, Nest Boxes,
• Reduce Waste: Customize the size and shape of your suet cakes to fit your feeders perfectly, minimizing waste. For the best results, consider the Best Suet Feeders and Which Birds They Actually Attract.
• Environmentally Friendly: Using ingredients you already have on hand reduces packaging waste.

Basic Suet Cake Recipe

This recipe provides a foundation for creating your own custom suet cakes. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to find what works best for the birds in your area.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rendered animal fat (beef suet or lard) - Important: Rendered fat is key. Raw fat can spoil quickly and harbor harmful bacteria.
• 1 cup birdseed mix (black oil sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, etc.) - See our comparison of Black-Oil Sunflower Seed vs Safflower Seed to decide which is right for your yard.
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (optional, but adds extra protein and fat)

Equipment:

• Saucepan
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon or spatula
• Wax paper, parchment paper, or silicone molds
• String or twine (optional, for hanging)

Instructions:

1. Render the Fat: If you’re using raw beef suet, you’ll need to render it first. Cut the suet into small pieces and place it in a saucepan over low heat. Cook until the fat has melted completely, then strain it through a cheesecloth to remove any solids. Let it cool slightly before proceeding. Note: Lard typically comes pre-rendered and does not need this step.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the birdseed, cornmeal, and peanut butter (if using).
3. Mix with Fat: Pour the slightly cooled rendered fat into the dry ingredients and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
4. Mold the Suet Cakes: Line a baking sheet or muffin tin with wax paper, parchment paper, or use silicone molds. Press the suet mixture firmly into the molds. If you want to hang the suet cakes, insert a loop of string or twine into the mixture before it hardens.
5. Chill and Harden: Place the molds in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 2 hours, or until the suet cakes are solid.
6. Serve: Remove the suet cakes from the molds and place them in your suet feeder.

Customizing Your Suet Cakes for Specific Birds

Here are some ingredient variations to attract different bird species:

For Insectivores (Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Chickadees)

• Dried Insects: Add dried mealworms, crickets, or other insects to the mixture. These are a high-protein source that insect-eating birds crave.
• Peanuts: Chopped peanuts are another excellent source of protein and fat.
• Fruit: Small pieces of dried fruit, like cranberries or raisins, can also be added.

For Frugivores (Robins, Waxwings, Bluebirds)

• Berries: Add mashed or chopped berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. Frozen berries work well too.
• Fruit Preserves: A small amount of fruit preserves (low sugar) can add flavor and attract fruit-eating birds.
• Softened Dried Fruit: Soak dried cranberries or raisins in warm water to soften them before adding them to the mixture.

For Seed Eaters (Finches, Sparrows, Juncos)

• Nyjer Seed: Add nyjer seed (also known as thistle seed) to attract finches. See our guide to the Best Nyjer Seed Feeders for Goldfinches.
• Cracked Corn: A staple for many seed-eating birds.
• Millet: Another popular seed choice, especially for smaller birds.

For Cardinals

• Sunflower Seeds: Cardinals adore black oil sunflower seeds. Add plenty to your suet cakes. See our guide on How to Attract More Cardinals to Your Backyard.
• Peanut Pieces: These provide extra protein and fat, which cardinals need.
• Safflower Seeds: Cardinals also enjoy safflower seeds, and squirrels often avoid them.

Tips for Success

• Use High-Quality Ingredients: Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients to ensure the birds are getting the nutrients they need.
• Avoid Salt and Sugar: Birds don’t need salt or sugar in their diet, and these ingredients can actually be harmful to them.
• Store Suet Cakes Properly: Store unused suet cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent them from going rancid.
• Monitor Your Feeders: Observe which birds are visiting your feeders and adjust your recipes accordingly.
• Prevent Melting: In warmer months, consider using a higher ratio of dry ingredients to fat to prevent the suet cakes from melting. You can also add gelatin to help them hold their shape.

By following these tips and experimenting with different ingredients, you can create custom suet cakes that will attract a wide variety of birds to your backyard and provide them with a valuable source of energy.