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No Bake Birds Nest Cookies

by Elizabeth Swoish
5 from 6 votes
Time: 30 minutes
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These Bird’s Nest Cookies are the perfect Easter treat! With classic no bake cookie flavors, coconut, and colorful candy eggs, they are an easy and festive addition to your holiday table.

These cookies go great with my Chocolate Bunny Mocktails! Or if you’re feeling even more snacky try my salty and sweet Bunny Popcorn Snack Mix.

No bake birds nest cookies with 3 candy eggs in them.

No bake cookies are a nostalgic favorite! But what if I told you we could make them an Easter themed bird’s nest filled with chocolate candy eggs? So cute right?!

These cookies are not only a fun baking activity, but they require no oven, kids can make them, and they have the best flavor! With rich chocolate, nutty peanut butter, coconut, and candy eggs, you’ll be making these every spring. I guarantee it.

For more no bake spring desserts, try my Coconut Rice Krispie Treats or this Banana Cream Pie Dip!

Video Tutorial – Make Them With Me

Birds Nest Cookies Ingredients

These no bake cookies only have 9 ingredients, and a lot of them are probably in your pantry right now. Keep reading for a few important notes.

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Milk: Any kind of milk will work in this recipe. I use whole milk, but 2%, 1%, skim, and even non-dairy milks work well.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Do not mistake this for Dutch-processed cocoa powder or your cookies will turn out crumbly and dry.
  • Peanut Butter: Use creamy or crunchy varieties.
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Oats: This recipe uses quick cook oats. Don’t use old fashioned or the cookies will be extremely tough and chewy.
  • Shredded Unsweetened Coconut: This adds a little sweetness as well as chewiness. Just don’t accidentally use sweetened coconut.
  • Candy Eggs: M&Ms peanut butter candy eggs are the way to go. But, you can use Cadbury mini eggs, Whoppers robin eggs, jelly beans, or any other type of egg shaped candies you prefer.
Ingredients. Oats, unsweetened shredded coconut, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract, peanut butter, milk, and candy eggs.

How to Make Birds Nest Cookies

Here’s a quick overviewing of the steps so you can see how easy these cookies are to make. Just make sure you have all the ingredients measured out and prepped prior to starting because this is a fast moving recipe. And don’t forget to grab a small saucepan, 2 large baking sheets lined with waxed paper or parchment paper.

1. Make the cookies. Melt together the unsalted butter, milk, and cocoa powder over medium heat. Allow it to boil for 1 minute and remove immediately from the heat. Add the peanut butter, vanilla extract, oats, and shredded coconut, combine until fully incorporated and smooth.

2. Scoop, dent, and decorate the bird’s nest cookies. Scoop and drop the no bake cookies onto your baking sheet. Dent the cookies to create a nest shape and immediately add the candy eggs. Allow your cookies to cool completely before enjoying.

Find the complete recipe instructions with measurements below.

No bake cookies in the shape of birds nest topped with egg candies drying on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Extra candy eggs on the side.

Storing Information

Always store your Bird’s Nest Cookies in an airtight container and stacked between layers of waxed paper (so they don’t stick together). At room temperature they will keep up to 3 days, in the refrigerator 1 week, and frozen for 3 months.

Troubleshooting Your No Bake Cookies

These Bird’s Nest Cookies are super easy to make, BUT they can be finicky if you have not made them before. The amount of time your mixture is boiled on the stove completely determines the texture and outcome of the cookies. Make sure it is at a rolling boil (not a simmer) before you start your 1 minute timer.

My no bake cookies sticky and not setting– Your mixture was not boiled long enough, try adding 15 seconds more next time.

My no bake cookies dry and crumbly– Your mixture was boiled too long, try reducing the time my 15 seconds.

No bake cookies in the shape of birds nests with 3 candy eggs in the centers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How do I make no bake cookies set quicker?

If you are in a pinch for time, you can place no bake cookies in a cool dry place or even the refrigerator to help them set more quickly.

More Easter Recipes You Might Enjoy

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Enjoy Entirely, Elizabeth
No bake birds nest cookies with candy eggs in them and more candy eggs around them.

Birds Nest Cookies

Elizabeth Swoish
These no bake Bird's Nest Cookies are chewy, fudgy, and topped with chocolate Easter eggs. They are the perfect option for Easter and springtime celebrations!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 16 birds nests
Calories 379 kcal

EQUIPMENT

  • 2 baking sheets - lined with waxed paper
  • small saucepan

INGREDIENTS
 
 

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup milk - whole, 2%, 1%, or non-dairy milk
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup peanut butter - creamy
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups quick cook oats
  • 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1 bag candy eggs - M&M's peanut butter eggs

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Prepare a baking sheet with waxed paper. Set aside.
  • To a saucepan, add the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, milk, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Heat over medium until the mixture begins to boil.
  • Allow it to boil for one minute. Then remove mixture from the heat and immediately add the creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract, quick cook oats, and shredded unsweetened coconut until fully incorporated.
  • Scoop and drop 2 ounce portions of no bake cookies onto the prepared baking sheets until all is gone.
  • Using the backside of a rounded measuring spoon, lightly press and make a dent in the cookies to create a nest appearance. Immediately after, press 3 candy eggs into each birds nest.
  • Allow the Birds Nest Cookies to cool completely before eating.

VIDEO

RECIPE NOTES

STORING INFORMATION

  • Room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
  • Refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to one week.
  • Frozen, individually wrapped in plastic wrap and in an airtight container, for up to 3 months. Set out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before eating.
 

TROUBLESHOOTING NO BAKE COOKIES

  • My no bake cookies sticky and not setting– Your mixture was not boiled long enough, try adding 15 seconds more next time.
  • My no bake cookies dry and crumbly– Your mixture was boiled too long, try reducing the time my 15 seconds.

Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

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By Elizabeth Swoish on March 11th, 2023
Elizabeth Swoish holding a camera up to her eye taking a photo.

About Elizabeth Swoish

Elizabeth Swoish is the founder and CEO of Entirely Elizabeth. She is a self-taught foodie and mocktail enthusiast with a business degree in data analysis. Read Elizabeth's food journey or connect on your favorite social media channels.

6 thoughts on “No Bake Birds Nest Cookies”

  2. 5 stars
    These were so fun to make this week during our homeschool lesson about spring and easter! My boys had a blast getting involved making these.

    Reply

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