Peter Cottontails Crumbly Nests
Peter Cottontail's Crumbly Nests: Easter Bird's Nest Cookies
Fancy a little something special for your Easter spread? Ever tried to make Easter Birds Nest Cookies? These are not just any cookies; they're like little edible works of art.
They taste amazing and look the part.
What Makes These Cookies So Cracking?
These Bird Nest Cookies are inspired by my nan's legendary shortbread. I’ve given it a spring twist. The buttery shortbread is shaped into nests.
They are filled with a yummy chocolate ganache and cute little candy eggs. It’s a simple recipe. It adds a touch of elegance to a family favourite.
These cookies have roots in European spring traditions. Families would create sweet nests to celebrate new life. You know, symbolising hope and all that jazz.
This Easter Birds Nest is a family friendly recipe. It takes about an hour including chilling time. The recipe makes 12-15 cookies.
Why You'll Absolutely Love These
Honestly, shortbread is all about that melt-in-your mouth feel. The chocolate ganache? It adds a touch of decadence that’s hard to resist.
Plus, they are just so jolly cute!. These are a guaranteed hit. Perfect for showing off your baking skills.
Ready to get started? Let's gather our ingredients and create these Spring themed cookies .
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Shortbread
- You'll need 1 cup (2 sticks / 227g) of softened butter. Don't use margarine!.
- Grab ½ cup (100g) of granulated sugar.
- A dash of flavour is a ¼ teaspoon (1.5ml) of vanilla extract.
- Make sure to have 2 ¼ cups (281g) of all-purpose flour.
- Finally, a pinch of ¼ teaspoon (1.5ml) salt.
For the Ganache
- 4 ounces (113g) of semi sweet chocolate, finely chopped.
- Also get ½ cup (120ml) of heavy cream.
- Add 1 tablespoon (14g) of unsalted butter.
For Decorations
- You can't forget your pastel candy coated chocolate eggs to top it off! About 1 cup should do the trick.
Are you excited to make these Easter candy egg cookies ?
Ingredients & Equipment
So, you fancy making Easter Birds Nest Cookies ? Ace! Let's get our ducks in a row with what you’ll need. Honestly, most of it’s probably already lurking in your cupboards!
Main Ingredients for Peter Cottontail's Crumbly Nests
- Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks / 227g ) unsalted, softened. Quality matters here, the better the butter, the richer the flavour. Honestly, go for the good stuff, you won't regret it.
- Sugar: ½ cup ( 100g ) granulated.
- Vanilla Extract: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.5ml ) pure. I like to use Nielsen Massey, but any good quality one will do.
- Flour: 2 ¼ cups ( 281g ) all-purpose. Don't pack it in! Spoon it lightly into the measuring cup.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.5ml ).
- Chocolate: 4 ounces ( 113g ) semi sweet, finely chopped. Something like Green and Black's will give you a gorgeous rich flavour.
- Heavy Cream: ½ cup ( 120ml ). Double cream works a treat!
- Butter (for ganache): 1 tablespoon ( 14g ) unsalted.
- Pastel Candy Eggs: About 1 cup , like Cadbury Mini Eggs or M&M's. You know, those ones you sneakily eat before the kids find them.
Seasoning Notes for a smashing Easter Baking
These Easter Bird Nest Cookies are all about simple, comforting flavours. A touch of vanilla elevates the shortbread. The salt balances the sweetness, and that chocolate ganache.
Oh my gosh! it's heavenly! You want an amazing Chocolate ganache Easter cookies , these is the way.
Fancy a change? Try a drop of almond extract instead of vanilla. Don't have semi sweet chocolate? Dark chocolate works brilliantly for a deeper flavour.
Or milk chocolate if you are aiming for a sweeter Easter candy egg cookies .
Equipment Needed for your Bird Nest Cookies
- Mixing bowls.
- Electric mixer (stand or hand held).
- Baking sheets.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats. No need to buy anything fancy!
- Small saucepan.
- Rubber spatula.
Don't have an electric mixer? No worries! A wooden spoon and some elbow grease will do the trick. Parchment paper keeps your cookies from sticking but if you want to make some Shortbread bird nest cookies and do not have parchment paper, a lightly greased baking sheet will work.
For our Easy Easter Cupcakes you can use the same resources as for the Cookies.
So there you have it! Everything you need to whip up these charming Easter Birds Nest . Let's get baking! The perfect Spring themed cookies for a perfect season.
I hope this little peek into ingredients makes you eager to get creative this Easter!
Alright, buttercup! Let's get baking! This Easter Birds Nest Cookies Recipe is a showstopper. These ain't your average cookies; they're blooming gorgeous and taste divine.
It's like springtime on a plate, and honestly, who wouldn’t want a bite of that? I'll walk you through everything.
Peter Cottontail's Crumbly Nests: Your New Favourite
Inspired by my nan’s shortbread and those frantic Easter egg hunts, these Bird Nest Cookies are a winner. I've given the Easter baking ideas a little twist.
It's all about a buttery shortbread cradle filled with a naughty chocolate ganache and finished with those adorable candy eggs.
Trust me, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat! This is all about making memories. I was never good at it.
Prep Like a Pro
- Essential mise en place: Get all your ingredients measured and ready. It's key. This helps things go smoothly.
- Time saving organization tips: Soften that butter! Chop the chocolate beforehand, too. Time is precious.
- Safety reminders: No licking the beaters until everything is properly baked. Raw flour isn't your friend.
step-by-step: Nest Making Magic
- Make the Shortbread Dough: Cream together 227g of softened butter and 100g of granulated sugar until fluffy. Mix in 1.5ml of vanilla extract .
- Add 281g all-purpose flour and 1.5ml of salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing!
- Chill the Dough: Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes .
- Shape the Nests: Preheat oven to 175° C . Roll dough into small balls. Press an indent in the center.
- Bake for 12- 15 minutes , until lightly golden. Cool completely.
- Prepare the Chocolate Ganache: Heat 120ml of heavy cream until simmering. Pour over 113g chopped semi sweet chocolate and 14g of butter . Whisk until smooth.
- Fill and Decorate: Spoon ganache into cooled nests. Top with candy eggs.
- Let Set: Let cool until the chocolate is hardened.
Pro Tips for Easter Birds Nest Cookies
- Don't overmix! Overmixing the shortbread dough is a cardinal sin. Honestly, you'll get tough cookies, and nobody wants that!
- If the dough is too crumbly add ice water, 1 teaspoon at a time.
- These Chocolate ganache Easter cookies can be made a day ahead. Just store the unfiled cookies in an airtight container.
These Easter Birds Nest are a game changer. They are a total knockout if you are searching Easy Easter Cupcakes
These Spring themed cookies are just perfect for that day, and that can make all the difference.
Recipe Notes: Cracking Good Easter Birds Nest Cookies Advice
So, you're ready to bake up a batch of these Easter Birds Nest Cookies Recipe ? Ace! Before you preheat that oven, let's have a quick chinwag about a few things to keep in mind.
These tips will make your bird nest cookies a proper success! Honestly, it's all about the little details.
Presentation Perfection: Serving Suggestions
Think of these Easter Birds Nest cookies as mini works of art. For plating, a simple cake stand does wonders.
How about arranging them with fresh spring flowers? Lovely! A wee dusting of icing sugar adds a snowy, magical touch.
To drink? A cold glass of milk is always a winner. For the adults, a cheeky little glass of dessert wine would be posh.
Storing Your Sweet Treats
Right, you've baked your birds nest cookies , now what? If you have any leftovers (unlikely, I know!), pop them in an airtight container.
They'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I wouldn't recommend freezing them, mind. The ganache might get a bit funny. Just enjoy them fresh! To Reheat them? It's not applicable.
Mix It Up: Variations on a Theme
Fancy a twist? Add a bit of lemon zest to the shortbread bird nest cookies dough for a zingy kick. For gluten-free folks, a good gluten-free flour blend works a treat.
If you're not keen on semi sweet chocolate, dark chocolate works brilliantly in the chocolate ganache Easter cookies . You could even swap the Easter candy egg cookies for mini marshmallows if you prefer.
You know?
Nutrition Nitty Gritty
Each Easter Birds Nest Cookies cookie clocks in at roughly 250 calories. You get about 2g of protein, 16g of fat, 25g of carbs, and 15g of sugar.
Consider the benefit of the cookies is about happiness.
Baking is all about making your own easy Easter cupcakes or cookies , and these little nests are sure to bring a smile.
So, give it a go! These spring themed cookies are easier than you think. Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions
My shortbread dough is too crumbly! What am I doing wrong?
Crikey! Don't fret. Crumbly shortbread dough usually means it's a bit dry. Try adding a teaspoon of ice water at a time until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix it, though, as that'll make the cookies tough nobody wants a biscuit that could break a tooth!
Can I make these Easter Birds Nest Cookies Recipe: ahead of time?
Absolutely! The shortbread cookies themselves can be made a couple of days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also make the ganache a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just warm it up slightly before filling the nests.
This recipe is quite forgiving, so you have plenty of time to prepare, old chap!
My chocolate ganache isn't setting properly. What should I do?
Oh dear, a runny ganache is a bit of a bother! Pop the filled cookies into the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to help the ganache firm up. If it's still too soft, your cream-to-chocolate ratio might be off. Next time, try using slightly more chocolate. Remember, practice makes perfect!
I'm allergic to chocolate! Is there a good alternative filling for these Easter Birds Nest Cookies Recipe:?
No worries, we can certainly work around that! You could use a simple vanilla buttercream frosting or even a lemon curd for a zesty twist. Another option is a cream cheese frosting just whip together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of vanilla.
Get creative these cookies are a blank canvas for your Easter masterpiece!
Can I freeze these Easter Birds Nest Cookies Recipe:?
You can freeze the baked shortbread cookies on their own before adding the ganache and candy eggs. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag. They will keep for up to 2 months. Defrost them completely at room temperature before filling and decorating.
However, freezing the cookies with the ganache and eggs is not recommended, as the chocolate can bloom and the eggs can become discolored.
Are these Easter Birds Nest Cookies Recipe: suitable for vegetarians?
Indeed they are! These cookies are vegetarian friendly. Just double check the ingredients of your candy eggs to ensure they don't contain any unexpected gelatin or non-vegetarian components. Most mini eggs are safe, but it's always a good idea to give the label a quick once over, just to be sure. Happy baking!
Peter Cottontails Crumbly Nests
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 250 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 16g |
| Fiber | 2g |
