How adorable are these little bird nest cookies? A sweet, chewy combination of chocolate, coconut shreds and crushed pretzels are formed into cute little nests and topped with pastel M&M’s, mini Cadbury eggs or any adorable egg like candies you can find.
Let’s get started…
All you need to make a batch of these adorable no-bake cookies is 3 cups of sweetened coconut shreds, 2 cups of pretzel sticks that have been lightly crushed, 11.5 ounces of milk chocolate (melting chips or a chopped bar) and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Begin by placing 11.5 ounces of milk chocolate in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat in 15 second increments until they are soft enough to whisk smooth.
Note: If you microwave chocolate often, you have probably had a batch seize up. When this happens, do not panic! Simply add a little very hot water (tap is fine, boiling is too) in teaspoon increments until the chocolate is back to being smooth and whiskable. Problem solved.
As soon as the chocolate is smooth, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and give it a quick whisk. Then add 3 cups of sweetened coconut shreds and 2 cups of lightly crushed pretzel sticks and stir until evenly distributed.
Line a baking sheet or platter with parchment or wax paper and drop heaping tablespoons of the mixture about 2 inches apart. This can be done by hand or with a greased cookie dough scoop.
Use the back of a spoon to form little wells in the center of the mixture. Once they look like little nests, press your “eggs” into the center and transfer them into the refrigerator to chill until the chocolate is set.
Aren’t they cute? Like sweet little birds nests!
If you happen to be making these chocolate, coconut and pretzel bird nest cookies around Easter time in the US then you will have no trouble finding little candies that look just like tiny little bird eggs. If you are making them during the rest of the year, I suggest using peanut M&M’s. They are the right size and shape and the flavors pair perfectly.
These fun little chocolate, coconut and pretzel bird nest cookies are sweet, chewy, crunchy and delicious and whether you are making them for an Easter celebration of just need a treat on a warm spring day, these no-bake cookies are exactly what you need.
Chocolate Coconut & Pretzel Bird Nest Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups of sweetened coconut shreds
- 2 cups of pretzel sticks, lightly crushed
- 11.5 ounces of milk chocolate (chips or bars)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- hot water (optional)
- "eggs" (peanut M&M's, junior mints, mini Cadbury eggs...)
Instructions
- Add 11.5 ounces of milk chocolate in a large microwave safe bowl and microwave on medium for 15 second increments until melted (add a teaspoon or two of boiling water if the chocolate seizes or is tough to whisk)
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and whisk to combine
- Add 3 cups of coconut shreds and 2 cups of pretzel sticks and mix until fully combined
- Spray a cookie dough scoop or tablespoon with non stick spray and transfer tablespoons of the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet
- Use the back of the tablespoon to press a small indent in the center of the dough to form a small nest
- Press your “eggs” into the nest
- Chill the nest until set and enjoy!
