Description
These crunchy, sweet, chewy no-bake bird nest cookies are a fun and easy Easter treat perfect for kids and families. Made with crispy rice cereal, melted marshmallows, and chocolate, they are quick to prepare and require no oven.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (150 grams) crispy rice cereal
- 1 ½ cups (90 grams) mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup (about 50 grams) mini candy eggs
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and gather all ingredients measured out.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and mini marshmallows. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until smooth and fully melted (about 1 to 1 ½ minutes).
- Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt into the melted mixture.
- Place crispy rice cereal in a large bowl. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereal and gently fold until every piece is coated evenly, being careful not to crush the cereal.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until smooth. Add a teaspoon of cream or milk if chocolate is too thick.
- Pour melted chocolate over the marshmallow-coated cereal and gently fold until combined.
- Using a tablespoon or lightly greased hands, scoop a handful of the mixture and shape into small nests on the lined baking sheet. Create a small indentation in the center for candy eggs. Repeat to make about 12 nests.
- Place 3 to 4 mini candy eggs in the center of each nest, pressing slightly so they stick but don’t sink.
- Allow nests to cool and firm up at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or refrigerate for 15 minutes if in a hurry.
- Once set, gently peel nests off parchment paper and arrange on a platter to serve.
Notes
If mixture is too sticky to shape, refrigerate for 10 minutes before forming nests. If too dry, add more melted butter or marshmallows next time. Use lightly greased hands or tools to prevent sticking. Melt marshmallows carefully to avoid burning. Gentle folding keeps cereal crunchy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 nest
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 1
Keywords: no-bake cookies, Easter cookies, bird nest cookies, kids recipe, crunchy cookies, marshmallow cookies, chocolate cookies