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This is a classic recipe for easy no bake Easter Cookies that look like adorable egg nests! Birds nest cookies are made with just seven ingredients – no oven required.
They are darling when served as an Easter treat, or anytime you want to celebrate all the joy that spring brings. Crunchy, sweet and salty with butterscotch and peanut butter, these birds nest cookies are sure to be a hit.
Last week I had an idea, what if I made my no bake trail mix cookies (that I can’t keep my hands off of) into birds nest cookies for Easter? If you can’t tell, I’m definitely feeling spring, even if snow is in the forecast this weekend. Plus, I was just really craving these cookies.
I love all things sweet and salty, but the marshmallows take these no bake Easter cookies over the edge. I get the worst cravings for these cookies and they’re all too easy to whip up on a Wednesday afternoon. So, I made them into no bake birds nest cookies.
I have found that some are very opposed to butterscotch but would never know there was a hint of butterscotch in these craveable, addictive little no bake cookies. They are seriously can’t-keep-your-hands-off addicting!
These egg nests are made with the most delicious mix of ingredients. In fact, it’s all I can do to form them into cookies without eating a few scoops of the mixture along the way!
Why You’ll Love these No Bake Birds Nest Cookies
- So Easy
- No Bake
- Sweet and Salty
- Just Seven Pantry Ingredients
- Perfect for Easter, Baby Showers and Spring Parties
If you’re lucky, you can even find these little Cadbury miniature eggs in an array of pastels! Please take note, next year I need eggs in a pretty soft blue, okay?
You can also use M&M’s in these easy no bake Easter cookies, but for Easter I decided to make them with the classic Cadbury mini eggs our baskets were always filled with growing up.
Birds Nest Cookies Ingredients
These Easter cookies are comprised of pretzel sticks, roasted peanuts, Chex, marshmallows, peanut butter and butterscotch chips. Topped off with Cadbury eggs they’re the most adorable Easter treat!
- Pretzel Sticks – For a salty, crunchy base.
- Roasted Peanuts – More salt, more crunch… you’re getting the picture!
- Chex Cereal – Chex is an excellent choice for soaking up the melted peanut butter and butterscotch chips!
- Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows are best for a smooth melt.
- Peanut Butter – We use smooth peanut butter for these. You can use crunchy, but avoid the natural peanut butters because the texture will not be the same.
- Butterscotch Chips – You can sub the butterscotch with different chips – chocolate for example. But I encourage you to try the butterscotch, even if you think you don’t like it!
- Cadbury Mini Eggs – For a true Easter birds nest cookie topper! Find them here.
Variations
- You can use chow mein crunchy noodles instead of pretzel sticks.
- Use pastel m&ms instead of the Cadbury Eggs.
- Switch out the butterscotch chips for dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate or even more peanut butter.
- Try crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth for even more crunch.
How to Make Easter Cookies that Look Like Bird Nests
- Line cookie sheets or platters with parchment paper (ensure you’re using a sheet that will fit in your refrigerator).
- In the microwave, combine butterscotch chips and peanut butter, warming through until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine remaining dry ingredients. Stir in wet mixture until well combined.
- Drop mixture by the spoonful onto cookie sheets pressing in the middle with a spoon to make nests and add three Cadbury mini eggs to the center.
- Refrigerate until set.
Tips
- Add some shredded coconut along with the mini eggs for even more of a nest look.
- Drizzle with chocolate if you’d like!
- Line your cookie sheets with parchment to ensure easy removal.
- If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the butterscotch chips on the stovetop.
- Separate the layers of cookies with parchment paper, so if they melt they won’t stick together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my no bake cookies not set?
Often this means that your ratio of wet to dry ingredients wasn’t quite right. You might have too much wet and not enough dry – and don’t forget to refrigerate these!
Do you have to refrigerate no bake cookies?
These butterscotch birds nest cookies do need to be refrigerated in order to harden, but you don’t have to store them in the fridge afterwards!
How to Store
- Room Temperature – Stack with sheets of parchment paper in between to prevent sticking. Store for 2-3 days at room temperature.
- Refrigerator – Store in an airtight container in the fridge and they will keep for 4-5 days. We love them cold!
- Freezer – Freeze these no bake cookies for up to three months in an airtight container.
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More Easy Easter Inspiration
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Easter Cookies Egg Nests
Easy no bake Easter Cookies that look like adorable egg nests! This no bake recipe takes just a few minutes to make and are always a hit! Sweet and salty peanut butter no bake Easter nests with a hint of butterscotch.
Yield
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups butterscotch chips {package}
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 3 cups pretzel sticks broken
- 1 cup Chex
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- Cadbury mini eggs
Instructions
- Line cookie sheets/platters with parchment paper {must fit in your refrigerator}
- In the microwave, combine butterscotch chips & peanut butter 30 seconds at a time until smooth, stirring intermittently.
- In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Stir in peanut butter mixture until well combined.
- Drop mixture by the spoonful onto cookie sheets pressing in the middle with a spoon to make nests and add 3 Cadbury mini eggs to the center.
- Refrigerate until solid – about an hour or let set at room temperature.
Tips
- Add some shredded coconut along with the mini eggs for even more of a nest look.
- Drizzle with chocolate if you’d like!
- Line your cookie sheets with parchment to ensure easy removal.
- If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the butterscotch chips on the stovetop.
- Separate the layers of cookies with parchment paper, so if they melt they won’t stick together.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 176kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 23g (8%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 8g (12%), Saturated Fat: 2g (10%), Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 236mg (10%), Potassium: 108mg (3%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 12g (13%), Vitamin A: 12IU, Calcium: 9mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
lauren kelly says
I can’t wait to make these with my kids! So fun!
Becky Hardin says
I am loving these!! So cute, adorable and fun!!! Perfect for Easter Sunday!
Hannah says
Cute, quick and easy to make!
Kamaldeep says
I just discovered your blog and everything about it looks amazing!!! And this is such an awesome idea, I’m going to try it this weekend!
Julie says
You are so very kind, thank you!
Eden Passante says
I love no-bake treats, especially ones that are this charming!!