Chocolate Easter Nests are a favorite treat in Ireland. Made with shredded wheat to create realistically twiggy looking nests, these are a simple, no-bake treat for Easter.

If you are in search of a tasty Easter cooking project for children that involves absolutely no baking, then these easy chocolate crispy nests are the perfect answer.

These nests have great texture and an authentic twiggy look, and all made possible by coating the extra fine strands of crumbled shredded wheat in chocolate.

Crispy rice cereal or cornflakes are often used by Irish cooks, but I simply adore the nest like appearance when shredded wheat is used. 

These shredded wheat cakes may be a little less sweet and a little more crispy than a cornflake nest, but shredded wheat is always my choice for making Easter nests.

And believe me when I say these are easy to make.  No fuss, just shredded wheat mixed with melted chocolate, golden syrup and butter.

Here’s how I make them…..

 

Ingredients for Chocolate Easter Nests:

 

• 12 ounces of chocolate chips (plain or milk chocolate based upon your liking)
• 2 tablespoons of golden syrup (King’s syrup in America)
• 2 ounces of butter
• 4 ounces of  shredded wheat biscuits (4 large biscuits)
• 36 mini chocolate eggs.

 

Golden syrup is a thick, amber-colored syrup that was first canned and sold in England in 1885.  It is different to corn syrup.  King syrup would be the closest American substitute.

Lyle’s Golden syrup is available in places likes World Market, and in Kentucky I can purchase it at Meijers.

 

Directions For Making Chocolate Easter Nests:

 

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Crumble the shredded wheat biscuits into fine thread-like pieces. These provide realistic structure to your nests.

Next place the chocolate chips, butter and golden syrup in a heat proof bowl.

Place the bowl over a saucepan of water.

This is called a bain marie.  The water in the saucepan should not touch the bottom of the bowl.

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the chocolate and butter melt and combine with the syrup.

Carefully remove the hot bowl from the saucepan protecting your fingers with a towel or silicon heat gloves.

Add the shredded wheat to the hot chocolate sauce.  Mix them together thoroughly to completely coat the shredded wheat strands in chocolate.

Next it’s time to build your nests.

Spoon the chocolate wheat mixture into twelve mounds on the parchment paper.

Use the back of a spoon or a melon baller to create a small hollow in the center of each nest.

Some cooks like to use a muffin tray with paper liners to help shape these nests.  However, I prefer less perfect, more free-form nests made by piling the shredded wheat on the baking tray.

Allow the nests to cool completely so that the chocolate hardens and binds your nests together.

Then they’re ready for a little birdie to lay a few eggs in each.

Place three mini eggs in each nest.  

If you plan on taking these nests to a pot luck or family party, it’s best to place the eggs in the nests before the chocolate hardens.  This way the eggs stick to the chocolate as it chills and they won’t shift when transporting these treats.  You can speed up the cooling process by chilling the nests in the refrigerator for about one hour.

And that’s just how simple these cute chocolate nests are to make.

Simple, delicious and festively perfect for the Easter holidays.

You can use chocolate eggs, or jelly beans, but I simply love how the pastel shades of mini-eggs look in these brown, twiggy nests. 

Cadbury mini eggs are available in some stores in America.  They are quite a bit more expensive than in Ireland or the UK.  They also don’t taste quite as nice as the Irish version, but they still look extra cute in these chocolate nests.

I hope you enjoy these no bake Easter cakes, that are ever so popular in Ireland.

My kids love these nests.  Try them if you’re planning an Easter get together with family or friends.

Here’s the printable recipe.

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter.

 

Slán agus beannacht.

(Goodbye and blessings)

 

Irish American Mom