This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Cute Food: Bird's Nest Cookies Two Ways

Natalie McLaury cooks and writes a food and recipe blog called The Sweets Life.

There’s something about cute food that is just irresistible! Some of you might remember the mini ice cream cones that McDonalds used to offer…as a child that was my favorite thing about McDonalds (and the only thing I’ll return to McDonalds for in present day!) While ice cream is always appealing, there’s something about miniature ice cream that is extra appealing.

I think the same goes for all cute food. People love food that looks pretty. It’s why high-end restaurants focus on their presentation and why cupcake shops are so popular nowadays. Attractive food wins! I’m here today to tell you that you don’t have to rush out for an expensive meal or to the neighborhood bakery for cute food. Today, I want to share two adorable recipes with you that are perfect for this time of year.

Both are cookie recipes and both are created to look like bird’s nests and eggs. There’s one for the chocolate lover, featuring a sweet salty contrast of pretzels, peanuts, and chocolate, and one for the coconut lover, with a cream-cheese based dough chock full of coconut flakes! One’s a no-bake cookie (the chocolate nests) while the other takes a little bit more time (and is infinitely more colorful!). Can’t decide which sounds better? Make them both!

Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Either cookie recipe is great to make with kids, or kids at heart, who will love filling the “nests” with the M&M eggs. Stock up on M&M eggs while they’re still in season and make a batch of one (or both!) of these recipes to celebrate Spring! I recommend the almond M&M eggs for the coconut cookies to get that signature crack in the egg, but you could use whatever eggs you fancy for the chocolate nests!

 Tell me, what’s your favorite cute food to make and/or eat? Any other bird’s nest cookies I need to make this Spring?

Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Chocolate Bird’s Nest Cookies

*makes approximately 3 dozen nests, depending on your size

 

Ingredients:

-1 bag of peanut butter Egg M&Ms (you won't use the whole bag, but I'm sure you can handle the extras!)

-2 1/2-3 1/2 cups pretzel sticks, broken in half

-1-1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts

-1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips

 

Directions:

1. Melt chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave in a microwavable bowl. If using the microwave, stir every 30 seconds to prevent burning.

2. Once chocolate is melted and smooth, stir in pretzels and peanuts, mixing to fully coat the mix-ins with chocolate.

3. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate mixture onto wax paper-lined baking sheets, about 1 or 2 inches apart from each other. Top each "nest" with 1 or 2 M&M eggs. Place baking sheets in fridge for 1 hour, or until hard. Transfer to airtight containers and store in fridge until ready to serve. (**Can be made up to one week ahead of time!)

 

Almond M&M Bird’s Nest Cookies

*makes approximately 40 cookies

 

Ingredients:

-2 cups flour

-1 tbsp baking powder

-1/4 tsp salt

-3/4 cup butter, softened

-8 oz. cream cheese, softened

-1 cup sugar

-3/4 tsp almond extract

-2 1/2 cups coconut

-red & yellow food coloring

-1 bag almond M&Ms (pastel colored)

 

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients and set aside.

2. With a stand or handheld mixer, cream butter and cheese; add sugar and almond extract, beating until fluffy.

3. Gradually beat in flour mixture and 1 cup of coconut.

4. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes (or until firm enough to handle)

5. Take 1/2 cup of coconut and tint with 1-2 drops red coloring (place in a covered container, add food coloring, and shake until evenly tinted). Take another 1/2 cup coconut and tint with 1-2 drops yellow food coloring. Toss tinted coconut with remaining 1/2 cup of (white) coconut.

6. Roll large tablespoonfuls of dough into balls. Roll each in coconut until lightly coated.

7. Place balls on greased cookie sheets and press 2-3 M&Ms into each cookie.

8. Bake for 12 minutes at 350F. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack. Refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to serve.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from University City