Chocolate Bird Nests
4 Ingredient Chocolate bird nests are such a treat for Easter and so super cute! I love mine with butterscotch as that is how my mom always made them :) enjoy!
These Chocolate Bird Nests are the cutest 4-ingredient Easter dessert that brings out the kid in everyone. Crunchy chow mein noodles tossed in a melted chocolate and butterscotch mixture, then shaped into little 'nests' and topped with Cadbury mini eggs. They look so pretty on an Easter dessert table, take 10 minutes of active work, and make 30 of them so you can feed a whole crowd.
I grew up making these with my mom every single Easter, and the butterscotch chips are her signature touch. Most versions you see online use just chocolate, but the addition of butterscotch chips brings this warm, caramelly sweetness that pairs perfectly with chocolate. It is the difference between a regular bird nest and the ones that everyone asks about. Honor your mom-of-the-recipe and do both.
The chow mein noodles are the secret to making these look like real nests. The crunchy curly shape of the noodles, once they are tossed in chocolate, mimics the look of straw or twigs woven together. When you scoop a spoonful onto parchment, they naturally hold a nest shape because of the chocolate setting around the noodles. Pop three Cadbury mini eggs in the middle (or 2 if you are running low) and you have an adorable little dessert that looks bakery-fancy.
These are the easiest dessert to bring to an Easter brunch, school party, or family gathering. They are no-bake (just a quick double boiler step), they look beautiful arranged on a platter or in egg cartons, and the recipe makes 30 so they feed everyone. Make them the day before and they will be even prettier as the chocolate fully sets. Let's make them.
📝 Ingredients
- 1 12oz bag of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 12oz bag of Butterscotch Chips
- 1 12oz bag of Chow Mein Noodles
- Cadbury eggs for garnish
👩🍳 Directions
- 1
Grab a small sauce pan and find a glass bowl that will fit on top of it comfortably. *We are creating a double boiler here* Fill the sauce pan with about an inch of water and bring water to a boil then put the glass bowl on top of the sauce pan and fill the glass bowl with both bags of chocolate/butterscotch chips. Note: If you would rather microwave your chocolate chips, that is also an option.
- 2
When chocolate/butterscotch is melted until smooth, remove from heat and add chow Mein noodles and stir until all of the chow mein noodles are covered in chocolate.
- 3
Use a spoon to scoop out a spoon full of noodles and put on parchment paper in a "nest". Use another spoon to help get the chocolate mixture off of the scooping spoon if needed. Then lay 3 Cadbury eggs on top.
- 4
Let cool for an hour or if you are in a hurry, put in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Enjoy! Store in air tight container for up to a week.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: One 12-ounce bag. Nestle Toll House, Ghirardelli, or any brand. Milk chocolate chips also work for a sweeter version. Dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet version.
Butterscotch chips: One 12-ounce bag. Nestle is the most common brand. Skip and use 2 bags of chocolate chips total if you cannot find butterscotch or do not want that flavor.
Chow mein noodles: One 12-ounce bag or can. La Choy is the most common brand. Find them in the Asian foods aisle, usually near the soy sauce. Pre-fried and ready to eat from the package.
Cadbury mini eggs: The classic candy-coated chocolate Easter eggs. About 100 mini eggs to top all 30 nests (3 per nest). Robin's eggs, jelly beans, or M&Ms also work as substitutes.
How to Store, Reheat & Freeze
Store nests in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Layer parchment paper between the nests if stacking so they do not stick to each other. Keep them out of direct sunlight or heat to prevent the chocolate from softening.
To freeze, place finished nests in a single layer on a sheet pan and freeze until firm (about 1 hour). Then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. The texture stays great after freezing.
What to Serve With Chocolate Bird Nests
These are the cutest Easter dessert and pair perfectly with other holiday treats. Arrange on a platter alongside Cadbury eggs, peeps, jelly beans, and other Easter candies. For an Easter brunch, serve with hot cross buns, fruit salad, mimosas, and coffee. Place them in a basket lined with green Easter grass for a beautiful centerpiece. They are also adorable arranged in muffin tins or in real (clean) egg cartons painted pastel colors. For kids' Easter baskets, wrap a few in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a homemade gift.
💡 Tips for Success
- Use a double boiler for melting the chocolate. A glass bowl set over a saucepan with 1 inch of simmering water gives you gentle, even heat that prevents the chocolate from seizing or burning.
- Microwave method works too if you do not want to use a double boiler. Melt in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Takes about 1.5 to 2 minutes total.
- Mix the semi-sweet chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together before melting. They melt at the same rate and create that signature Easter-nest flavor balance.
- Make sure no water gets into the chocolate. Even a drop of water can cause chocolate to seize into a clumpy mess. Dry your bowl and stirring tool completely.
- Add the chow mein noodles to the melted chocolate (not the other way around). This way you can control how many noodles you add and stop when everything is well coated.
- Use 2 spoons for scooping. One to scoop a portion of the mixture, the second to push it off the first spoon onto the parchment. The chocolate mixture is sticky so this is way easier than fighting one spoon.
- Shape into rough nest shapes, not perfectly round mounds. Use the back of a spoon to make a slight indentation in the middle. Real bird nests are not perfect, and the rustic look is what makes these charming.
- Add the Cadbury eggs immediately after scooping the nests, before the chocolate fully sets. Three eggs per nest is the traditional look, but 2 works if you are running low or want to stretch the eggs further.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these without butterscotch chips?
Yes, use 2 bags of chocolate chips instead. The classic version usually uses just chocolate. The butterscotch addition is my mom's signature and adds a warm caramelly sweetness that elevates these from regular to memorable.
What are chow mein noodles?
Crunchy fried noodles found in the Asian foods aisle of most grocery stores, often near the soy sauce. La Choy is the most common brand. They are pre-cooked and ready to eat straight from the can or bag.
Can I use a different candy for the 'eggs'?
Absolutely. Cadbury mini eggs are the classic Easter choice. Robin's eggs (the malted milk version), M&Ms, jelly beans, or Whoppers all work. Even chocolate-covered almonds in pastel colors.
How do I store them?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They keep their shape well. Layer with parchment paper between them if stacking.
Can I freeze them?
Yes. Freeze in a single layer on a sheet pan until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
What if my chocolate seizes (turns clumpy)?
Likely caused by water getting in or overheating. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil or shortening and stir vigorously off the heat. This can sometimes save it. If totally seized, start over.
Can I make these for non-Easter occasions?
Sure! Swap the Cadbury eggs for M&Ms for general use, mini Reese's cups, or Hershey kisses. Without the eggs, they are just chocolate-coated chow mein clusters which are equally addictive.
Made this recipe?
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