Fun and Tasty Easter Projects for Kids: Candy Nests

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

20 Mar 2008 10:10 AM

I have a 3-year-old who loves to cook (sometimes more than she likes to eat) and I could not recommend an easier recipe than this one to make for Easter. It only requires two ingredients (the most child-friendly on the planet: chocolate and cereal) and doesn't require any baking. And the best part: there's no icky, sticky, gooey mess to clean up. Honestly, this project yields less mess than coloring Easter eggs. What's more, the end product is so delicious your kids might have a hard time saving them to show off on Easter Sunday.

As I mentioned earlier each recipe calls for cereal. The first one calls for shredded wheat. (I know what you are thinking: "My kid won't eat shredded wheat!" Believe me; he will when it's smothered in chocolate.) The other calls for Rice Krispies. But both are equally tasty. Okay, maybe the Rice Krispies one is a bit sweeter and therefore tastier...

Make them both and decide for yourself.

CHOCOLATE COVERED SHREDDED WHEAT BIRDS' NESTS

Ingredients:

6 ounces milk chocolate

6 cups shredded wheat cereal (torn into small pieces)

Garnish:

Jelly beans, chocolate eggs, peeps or your other favorite candy

Directions:

Place chocolate in glass bowl and microwave for 2 minutes to melt chocolate; stir well.

Add shredded wheat and mix well, being careful not to stir too much or cereal will break into pieces that are too small to use.

Line muffin pan with muffin cups. Place generous spoonfuls of cereal into each cup then roughly shape each into a nest.

Refrigerate to set chocolate, about 2 hours.

Remove muffin cups and fill nests with candy.

Makes about 18 nests.

CHOCOLATE COVERED RICE KRISPIE BIRDS' NESTS

Ingredients:

1 package (11-1/2 ounces) milk chocolate

4 ounces sweet or semisweet baking chocolate

6 cups of Rice Krispies or other crispy rice cereal

Garnish:

Jelly beans, chocolate eggs, peeps or your other favorite Easter candy

Directions:

Place chocolate in glass bowl and microwave 2 minutes to melt chocolate; stir well. Add cereal and mix, making sure to coat the cereal well.

Line small bowls (such as custard cups or ramekins) with plastic wrap. Place about 1/2 cup cereal into each bowl and roughly shape each into a nest.

Refrigerate to set chocolate, about 2 hours.

Remove plastic wrap and fill nests with candy.

Makes about 12 nests.

Related Articles:

Easter Candy: Make Your Own Marshmallow Peeps

Easter Egg Bake

Ideas For Leftover Halloween Candy

Snickers Salad

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Cristie Hurd (5) 20 Mar 2008 03:46 PM

I'd been looking for a fun, edible and EASY Easter table decoration. These chocolate bird nests fit the bill! Thanks!

Michele Cheplic (37349) 21 Mar 2008 02:35 AM

You are welcome Cristie--good luck! And Happy Easter!