Chocolate Haystacks Birds Nest Cookies Recipe — Sugar & Cloth (2024)

Impress your friends and family with these homemade Chocolate Haystacks Birds Nest Cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat. They’re perfect for Easter and require no oven!

Chocolate Haystacks Birds Nest Cookies are a delightful and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion.

These sweet and crunchy confections resemble a bird’s nest, with chow mein noodles coated in melted chocolate forming the base, and candy-coated chocolate eggs nestled in the center.

Whether you are looking for a fun dessert to make with your kids or a unique addition to your holiday cookie tray, Birds Nest Cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

Easter holds a special place in my heart, and besides loving eggs, I, Nanette adore pastel colors, Easter brunch, macarons, and marshmallows.

And it doesn’t get better than springtime weather mixed with your favorite people gathering, don’t you agree?

Ingredients and Tools Needed

There are several classic renditions for making bird’s nest cookies. While they’re easily customizable, chocolate haystacks and butterscotch haystacks are the most popular.

• Dried chow mein noodles — Ramen or any other dry noodles and nuts would work too.
• Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips
• Egg candy of any kind — We used the speckled Cadbury eggs.
• Waxed paper for a lined cookie sheet

How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Haystacks Birds Nest Cookies

1 — Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.

2 — In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth and fully melted. Alternatively, melt the chocolate using a double boiler.

3 — Once the chocolate is melted, crumple the noodles into smaller pieces and add them to the bowl. Gently fold until the noodles are evenly coated in chocolate.

4 — Scoop out portions of the chocolate-coated noodles onto the prepared baking sheet. Use your fingers or the back of the spoon to shape the mixture into nest-like shapes, making an indentation in the center of each nest.

5 — While the chocolate is still soft, place mini chocolate eggs in the center of each nest to resemble eggs in a bird’s nest.

6 — If the chocolate mixture hasn’t been set within 20 minutes, transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill the chocolate birds nests for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has set and the nests are firm. Once set, they’re ready to be served!

Topping Ideas

The possibilities are endless if you’re looking for alternatives for making chocolate haystacks. Some ideas for Chocolate Haystacks Birds Nest Cookie toppings include:

• Easter sprinkles
• Coconut flakes
• Cadbury eggs
• Candied robin eggs
• Coated almonds
• Shredded coconut
• M&M’s
• Jelly beans
• Chocolate-covered espresso beans
• Easter egg shots — Just make sure to set them in after the nest chills. If not, the shots may stick to the nest.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• If you want to make enough chocolate haystacks for a larger group, you can easily double the recipe and line 2 baking sheets with parchment or wax paper.
• Some recipes call for crispy rice cereal instead of chow mein or ramen noodles. Rice cereal does offers a lighter option, though it will be harder to shape.
• Store any leftover chocolate birds nests in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight or warm environments to prevent melting.

More Easter Ideas and Inspirations that You Should Try

And in case you’re looking for more Easter ideas and inspirations, here are a few of my favorites from our archives —

• 15 Modern Easter Basket Ideas
• A zero carb bread recipe for balancing out your treats!
• A DIY essential oil diffuser to prep for Easter brunch
• Skinny Jalapeno Margarita Recipe for your outdoor gathering
• DIY easter place card holders

Do you have any tried and true favorites for the traditional chocolate haystacks?! If so, be sure to share in the comments below; we’d love to hear them!

But if you’re searching for guilt-free Easter candy options, don’t miss out on these15 mouth-watering treats!Trust us; your taste buds and waistline will thank you later.

Don’t forget to share your chocolate haystacks with us onInstagram. Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Find them allright here!