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This is a classic recipe for easy no bake birds nest cookies that look like adorable egg nests! These butterscotch treats 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 an incredible combination of butterscotch and peanut butter, these birds nest cookies are sure to be a hit.
If you can’t tell, I’m definitely feeling spring, even if snow is in the forecast again. Plus, I was just really craving these no bake cookies.
I love all things sweet and salty, but the marshmallows take these over the top. It’s a struggle to get a craving for these cookies, because they’re all too easy to whip up on a Wednesday afternoon.
I have found that some folks are very opposed to butterscotch, but would never know there was a hint of butterscotch in these craveable little no bake cookies. They are a can’t-keep-your-hands-off kind of treat.
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!
Don’t Skip These: If you’re planning an Easter brunch or dinner, don’t skip these recipe guides! The best Easter Recipes and Easter Side Dishes are at your fingertips.
Why You’ll Love these No Bake Birds Nest Cookies
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Substitutions
- 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.
- Add some shredded coconut along with the mini eggs for even more of a nest look.
- Drizzle with chocolate.
How to Make Birds Nest Cookies
- Prep – Line cookie sheets or platters with parchment paper (ensure you’re using a sheet that will fit in your refrigerator).
- Make Coating – In the microwave, combine butterscotch chips and peanut butter, warming through until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
- Combine – Pour peanut butter mixture into dry mix and gently stir to combine.
- Drop – Drop mixture by heaping tablespoons onto cookie sheets and immediately add three Cadbury mini eggs to the center. Refrigerate or allow to sit at room temperature until set.
Tips
- Line 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.
Make More (or Less!)
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
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!
More Easter Treats: Check out these Easter Peeps Treats and these Bunny Tail Easter Cupcakes.
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.
Dietary Considerations
- Vegetarian
- To Make Gluten Free, choose gluten free pretzels and cereal.
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Easter Cookies Egg Nests
Easy no bake birds nest cookies take just a few minutes to make and are always a hit! They are sweet and salty peanut butter no bake Easter nests with a hint of butterscotch.
Yield
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups butterscotch chips bag
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups pretzel sticks broken into halves
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1 cup Chex
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 72 Cadbury mini eggs 3 per cookie
Instructions
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Microwave in 30 second increments stirring between until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pretzel sticks, dry roasted peanuts, Chex and miniature marshmallows. Fold in peanut butter mixture until well combined.
- Drop a heaping tablespoon of mixture onto cookie sheet. Add 3 Cadbury mini eggs to the center and repeat.
- Refrigerate 1 hour until solid or let set at room temperature 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.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 192kcal (10%), Carbohydrates: 26g (9%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 2g (10%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 2mg (1%), Sodium: 216mg (9%), Potassium: 106mg (3%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 15g (17%), Vitamin A: 19IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 15mg (2%), 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!!