Pioneer Woman Birds Nest Cookies

Pioneer Woman birds nest cookies are an easy no-bake dessert made with chow mein noodles, white chocolate and peanut butter, ready in 45 minutes. Try this cute Easter dessert idea for an egg hunt, spring party or classroom treat, since it's no-bake, kid-friendly and loaded with candy eggs.

Shape the nests right away while the chocolate mixture is still warm, because that coating is the glue holding every noodle together. Wait too long and the mixture hardens, so the nests crumble when you pick them up.

Toasting the almonds and coconut before they go in adds a nutty, golden crunch that plain pantry nuts can't give you. Melting the chocolate over a gentle double boiler keeps it smooth and glossy, so it never scorches the way it can in a rush.

Pioneer Woman Birds Nest Cookies

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Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

24

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

406

kcal

Crunchy chow mein noodles get coated in creamy white chocolate and peanut butter, then shaped into little nests. Once they chill and set firm in the fridge, each one gets topped with candy eggs or a marshmallow chick.

Ingredients

• 1 (12-oz.) package chow mein noodles
  

• 1 c. slivered almonds, toasted
  

• 3/4 c. coconut flakes, toasted
  

• 24 oz. white chocolate, roughly chopped
  

• 2 c. creamy peanut butter
  

• 1 (9-oz.) bag candy-coated mini eggs
  

• 1 (3-oz.) package marshmallow chicks
  

Directions

• Line the pans: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. That way the finished nests lift off easily once they set.
• Mix the dry ingredients: Stir together 1 (12-oz.) package chow mein noodles, 1 cup toasted slivered almonds and 3/4 cup toasted coconut flakes in a large bowl. Set it near the stove so it is ready when the chocolate is melted.
• Melt the chocolate: Put 24 oz. chopped white chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Set it over a small pot with 2 inches of simmering water, with the heat on low, and stir every so often until it is fully melted, then turn off the heat.
• Add the peanut butter: Stir in 2 cups creamy peanut butter until it is completely combined with the chocolate. Then move the bowl to the counter and dry the bottom with a kitchen towel so no water drips in.
• Coat the noodles: Pour the noodle mixture into the chocolate and fold gently with a rubber spatula. Keep going until every noodle is fully coated.
• Scoop the nests: Scoop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets with a 2-ounce ice cream scoop or a 1/4-cup dry measure. Spread each scoop a little into a nest shape with your fingers, and stir the bowl every so often so it stays evenly combined.
• Top the nests: Form a little platform in the center of each mound. Immediately top it with 3 candy-coated mini eggs or a marshmallow chick from the 9-oz. bag and 3-oz. package.
• Chill and store: Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, until they completely harden. Then store them in the fridge, layered between parchment paper.

Tools for this recipe

• Pyrex 3-piece glass mixing bowl set, OXO silicone spatula set, OXO medium cookie scoop. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?

Yes, milk or semisweet chocolate melts the same way, so swap it in at the same weight. The nests will taste more like classic haystack cookies and look darker, which makes the pastel candy pop even more.

How long do these cookies last in the fridge?

Layered between parchment in an airtight container, they stay fresh for up to 5 days. Keep them cold until serving, since the coating softens quickly in a warm room.

Can I make them without a double boiler?

A microwave works if you heat the chocolate in 30-second bursts at 50 percent power, stirring between each one. Go slowly, because white chocolate scorches faster than you would expect.

What can I use if I don't have an ice cream scoop?

A 1/4-cup dry measuring cup gives you the same size nest. Pack it lightly, then press a small hollow in the middle with your fingers.

What is the most common mistake with bird's nest cookies?

Letting the mixture cool before shaping is the big one, since it stiffens and the nests will not hold together. Work quickly, and keep stirring the bowl so the noodles stay coated.