How to Make Perfect No-Bake Bird’s Nest Cookies for Easter
Easter is all about fun, family, and of course, delicious Easter treats! If you’re looking for something easy, festive, and downright adorable for this time of year, these no-bake bird’s nest cookies are just the thing. They’re chocolatey, crunchy, and topped with candy eggs for Easter.
Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch or packing an easy-to-serve easter dessert for a class easter party, these delicious cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. Kids love helping make them, and let’s be real—adults love eating them! Whip up a batch, set them out for Easter dessert, and watch them disappear.
This bird’s nest Easter cookies recipe could not be easier. These no-bake Easter treats are made in one large pot and then placed onto parchment paper to cool. Scoop and top them with brightly colored candy-coated chocolate Easter candy eggs and you have a fun Easter treat in 20 minutes. A great last-minute bird’s nest cookie recipe, fast to make, adorable, and delicious.
How do I know it’s delicious? It began as my much-loved and trusted no-bake chocolate haystack cookies recipe. It’s one of my family’s favorite recipes that I dressed up with more coconut and mini chocolate eggs for a festive touch. The secret to this cookie recipe is using unsweetened chocolate. Using real chocolate makes the cookie smoother, richer, and creamier. I don’t recommend substituting cocoa powder.
No Bake Easter Cookie Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
2 full squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup canned milk or light cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups oatmeal
Hershey Eggies or Cadbury mini eggs
No Bake Easter Cookie Instructions
Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Mixing the Cookies on the Stove Top
In a large saucepan over low heat melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate. (Sorry the image shows a double recipe I made for my large eaters)
Add the sugar and cream. Increase the temperature to low medium heat and melt. Stirring often.
Once the melted chocolate mixture is fully melted and smooth, add the vanilla, and stir. Remove from heat
Add the coconut and oatmeal. Stir with a large wooden spoon to mix.
Decorating Birds Nest Cookies for Easter
Use a cookie scoop for small cookies or an ice cream scoop for large cookies. Scoop the dough and place it on a parchment lined baking sheet. To form the bird nest, use the back of a spoon press a dent into the center of each cookie to form the nest shape and immediately put in the chocolate candy eggs. Doing this quickly makes the mini eggs stick to the cookie.
What If the Mini Eggs Don’t Stick?
If the eggs don’t stick melt some chocolate chips in the microwave, dip each egg into the melted chocolate and then attach to your cookies. This works well if your letting children decorate the cookies.
To melt the chocolate chips place 1/4 cup chocolate chips in the microwave, then microwave for 30 seconds, stir. If not melted do it for 10 more seconds, stir. Repeat until they are melted and smooth.
Let the cookies cool to room temperature.
Storing the Bird’s Nest Cookies
These Easter cookies are really cute, so instead of placing them inside my regular cookie jar I dug out my clear glass mason jar and made a little arrangement on the counter beside my coffee pot. My family saw them right away and dug in. You know they’re good when you hear, “You’re going to ruin your dinner”.
To freeze your no bake easter cookies, give them plenty of time to cool to room temperature and set. Wrap your cookie sheet covered in cookies in clear plastic wrap and freeze as they are for a couple of hours. You can then place them in a plastic airtight container with parchment paper (wax paper) between the layers. They freeze very well and store for up to six months.
The Easter season, like all other holidays, tends to be a very busy time for Moms. I hope you find this recipe the perfect Easter treat that you can whip together to save some time.
To Keep this Recipe with Real Chocolate. Pin it!
On Pinterest I have a board for Easter Treats Enjoy!
Birds Nest Easter Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 2 squares unsweetened chocolate whole 1 inch squares
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup canned milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 1 pkg candy covered chocolate mini Easter eggs
Optional Melted Chocolate Chips
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan over low heat melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate.
- Add the sugar and cream. Increase the heat to low medium and melt. Stirring oftten
- Once the cream sugar is melted. Add the vanilla, and stir. Remove from heat
- Add the coconut and oatmeal. Stir to mix.
- Using a cookie scoop for small cookies or an icecream scoop for large cookies. Scoop the dough and place on the parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Using the back of a spoon press a dent into the center of each cookie and immediately top with the miniature chocolate Easter eggs. Doing this quickly makes the eggs stick to the cookie.
- If you aren't able to do it before the cookies cool and the eggs don’t stick melt some chocolate chips in the microwave, dip each egg into the melted chocolate and then attach to your cookies.
Optional Chocolate Chip Melts
- To melt the chocolate chips place 1/4 cup chocolate chips in the microwave, then microwave for 30 seconds, stir. If not melted do it for 10 more seconds, stir. Repeat until they are melted and smooth.
Other Easter Recipes to Try
Homemade Chocolate Easter Eggs
This is another no-bake Easter treat recipe, made with real Belgian chocolate, and two different fillings.
Hot Cross Buns without Peel
This recipe is a family favorite and such a special treat for Easter holidays. This Easter recipe for hot cross buns is airy, delicious, and classic.