OKLAHOMA CITY – This is a fantastic way to engage the kids in dessert/treat making, and all ages love the result.
The process requires three steps: the making of the actual “nests,” the drizzling of the chocolate and the decorating/filling of the nests.
Depending upon age and maturity, kids may be involved in all three.
Ingredients:
- Cooking Spray
- 3 T Butter
- 1 12oz box Golden Grahams Cereal
- 1 10oz bag Miniature Marshmallows
- 1 12oz bag Chocolate Chips
- 1 14oz bag Coconut Flakes
- Few Drops Green Food Coloring
- Assorted Jelly Beans, Tiny Chocolate Eggs or Miniature Easter Candies (must not be wrapped and need to be very small.
- Muffin Tins – may reuse but nice to have 36 all at once
Directions:
- Lightly spray muffin tins-36 is optimum.
- In a large saucepan or medium pot, melt 3 T butter. Add marshmallows and stir. Over medium heat, melt marshmallows stirring to keep from browning and knocking down sides of pot.
- Once melted, remove from heat and thoroughly fold in cereal until evenly coated.
- Spray fingers (may use gloves but will still need to spray) and place roughly 2″ “globs” of cereal/marshmallow mixture into each tin, forming into a nest as you go. Important to form while mixture is still warm and pliable.
- Allow to cool and harden, then remove from liner and place on cookie sheet or bakery tray.
- In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips over medium- medium high heat, stirring to prevent scorching.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over nests, and allow to firm up/harden.
- In a mixing bowl, place coconut and a few drops green food coloring.
- Toss thoroughly to coat; I suggest starting with minimal coloring and adding more as needed.
- Into each nest, place coconut grass and assorted egg/Easter candies.
- Additional grass may be used as a bed for the nests.
- Arrange on a platter and cover with cellophane wrap.
- Store in a cool, dry place until ready to serve.
Yields: 24-36 nests