Easy Easter Nests Food

EASTER BIRD'S NESTS

Steps:

• Cook and stir marshmallows, peanut butter, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until the marshmallows melt completely into the mixture, about 5 minutes.
• Put chow mein noodles into a large bowl. Pour marshmallow mixture over the chow mein noodles; stir to coat.
• Spray hands with cooking spray or coat with butter so the noodles will not stick to your hands. Scoop noodle mixture from bowl with an ice cream scoop and form into balls, hollowing the center out to create the nest. Arrange 4 chocolate eggs into each nest.

EASY EASTER NESTS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a small bowl placed over a pan of barely simmering water. Pour the chocolate over the shredded wheat and stir well to combine.
• Spoon the chocolate wheat into 12 cupcake cases and press the back of a teaspoon in the centre to create a nest shape. Place 3 mini chocolate eggs on top of each nest. Chill the nests in the fridge for 2 hrs until set.

SIMPLE EASTER NESTS

Steps:

• Heat water in double boiler over medium heat and add chocolate chips to top portion.
• When chocolate begins to melt, add peanut butter and continue to stir until creamy.
• Add broken chow mein noodles, stirring until completely coated.
• Remove from heat and place upper portion on a folded towel to allow cooling while you prepare tins.
• Spray muffin tins (I liked the large size best, but make both for varied sizes) with cooking spray (such as Pam).
• Spoon generous amount of mixture into each cup creating a well in the center as you go.
• Continue until all of mixture is used up.
• Place jelly beans, M&M's Peeps or other candies for garnish as desired.
• Chill in refridgerator for at least 1 hour or until chocolate has hardened.
• Remove from tins and serve or package to gift - should be used within a couple of days.
• For additional garnish, can be served on dyed green coconut and tied in cellophane bundles with ribbons to give as gifts.
• Enjoy!

EASY EASTER NESTS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a small bowl placed over a pan of barely simmering water. Pour the chocolate over the shredded wheat and stir well to combine.
• Spoon the chocolate wheat into 12 cupcake cases and press the back of a teaspoon in the centre to create a nest shape. Place 3 mini chocolate eggs on top of each nest. Chill the nests in the fridge for 2 hrs until set.

EASTER NEST CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil and line two 20cm round cake tins. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarb, sugar and a large pinch of salt to a bowl. Mix with a whisk, squeezing any large lumps of sugar through your fingers, until you have a fine, sandy mix.
• Whisk the oil with the buttermilk in a jug. Stir in the vanilla and eggs, then pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until there are no more streaks of flour. Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 25 mins. Test the cakes by inserting a skewer into the centre - if there is any wet mixture on the skewer, return the cakes to the oven for 5 mins more, then check again. Leave the cakes to cool in the tins for 15 mins, then transfer to wire racks to cool fully.
• Next, make the nest. Clean one tin and line it with some oiled baking parchment. Put the marshmallows and butter in a heatproof bowl and microwave on high for 1 min, stirring halfway through (or heat gently in a pan on the hob). Continue microwaving in 20-second blasts until you get a runny mixture. Stir in the cocoa, pretzels and shredded wheat until well combined. Tip the mixture into your lined tin and use the back of your spoon to create a nest shape. Leave to cool at room temperature for a few hrs, or chill in the fridge if you need it to set faster.
• To make the icing, beat the butter, cocoa, icing sugar and milk together until smooth, adding a splash more milk if the mixture is too stiff. Assemble the cake by stacking the sponges with icing in between, topping with more icing and the nest. Fill your nest with as many chocolate eggs as it will hold, then serve. It may be easier to cut the cake if you remove the nest - you can then chop the nest into chunks and serve alongside the cake.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE EASTER NESTS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with foil. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.
• Scrape condensed milk into a medium saucepan or microwave-safe bowl; add chocolate chips.
• Place over low heat and stir often, or microwave on high 2 to 4 minutes, stirring every minute, until chips melt and mixture is blended and smooth.
• Put noodles into a large bowl, pour on chocolate mixture and toss with a rubber spatula until noodles are coated.
• Drop generous 1/4 - 1/2 cupfulls on prepared baking sheets.
• Lightly spray fingertips with nonstick spray.
• Form mounds into nests making a depression in the center & fill with candies.
• Let nests cool to set.
• Store loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.