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No Bake Birds Nest Cookies

by Elizabeth Swoish
5 from 6 votes
Time: 30 minutes
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These easy, no bake Birds Nest Cookies are made with oats, coconut, chocolate, peanut butter, and candy eggs. They are a unique springtime Easter dessert everyone will be raving about.

They also 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! This recipe has all the classic flavors with an addition of unsweetened coconut for texture and cute candy eggs. They are chewy, fudgy, and will melt in your mouth.

Why These Birds Nest Cookies Need To Be On Your Spring Baking List:

  1. Easter twist on a classic, nostalgic no bake cookie
  2. A fun baking activity with loved ones and kids
  3. No oven or baking required (so easy right?!)
  4. A new way to use candy Easter eggs or leftover candy eggs

VIDEO! Make Them With Me:

No Bake Birds Nest Cookies Ingredients

This recipe is only 9 ingredients. Below are a few notes on each ingredient, including substitutions.

  • Unsalted Butter: Feel free to use plant butter or dairy free butter. I just do not recommend using salted butter, it tends to make the cookies a tad salty tasting.
  • Granulated Sugar: Raw cane sugar can be used in it’s place.
  • 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: Gives our no bakes a chocolatey flavor and fudgy texture.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: You can also use crunchy peanut butter but creamy just works better in these cookies (there is already a lot of texture from the oats and coconut).
  • Vanilla Extract: The adds some depth of flavor to the chocolate. Be sure to use pure or homemade extract, imitation is just not the same.
  • Quick Cook Oats: Do not substitute these for other types of oats including old fashioned oats, it alters the cookie’s taste and texture.
  • Shredded Unsweetened Coconut: Do not mistake this for sweetened coconut, it will make your cookies too sweet and unstable from the extra moisture.
  • Candy Eggs: I chose M&Ms peanut butter candy eggs. You can use Cadbury mini eggs, Whoppers robin eggs, jelly beans, or any other type of egg shaped candies you prefer.

Equipment Needed:

  • Small Saucepan: Feel free to use your favorite. I like to use stainless steel because of the heat distribution.
  • 2 Large Baking Sheets: Again, use what you have. I use these ones.
  • Waxed Paper: No bake cookies will set up on parchment paper and aluminum foil as well. Sometimes they stick which is why I prefer waxed paper.
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 is a quick overview of how to make your No Bake Birds Nest Cookies. The recipe card below will have complete details.

  1. Prep two baking sheets with waxed paper.
  2. Boil the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder for 1 minute and remove from heat.
  3. Add and combine the peanut butter, vanilla, oats, and shredded coconut.
  4. Scoop and drop the no bake cookies onto your baking sheets.
  5. Dent the cookies to create a nest and immediately add candy eggs to each nest.
  6. Cool completely before enjoying.

PRO TIP: Work quickly because the second your no bakes have been mixed together, they will begin to set up and harden. I like to have everything ready ahead of time so it is easier to scoop, drop, dent, and add the eggs to your cookies.

Storing Information

Always store your no bake cookies in an airtight container. They can be stacked with waxed paper between each layer so they do not stick together. At room temperature they will last for 3 days, in the refrigerator for 1 week, and frozen for 3 months.

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.

Troubleshooting No Bake Cookies

These No Bake Robins 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About No Bake Cookies (FAQ’s)

What are the best type of oats for no bake cookies?

Quick cook oats are the best because they begin to absorb moisture which makes them set up quicker and become a more tender cookie. I have tested no bake cookies with old fashioned oats and it just does not work. They do not set up well and tend to be super tough and chewy (in a bad way).

Can I use crunchy peanut butter in no bake cookies?

Yes. You will want to add an additional 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter to this recipe so the consistency is not compromised.

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.

Can no bake cookies be frozen?

No bake cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I recommend wrapping each individual cookie in plastic wrap to help prevent any freezer burn. Set a cookie or cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to serving.

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

More Spring 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.

No Bake Birds Nest Cookies

Elizabeth Swoish
No bake cookies are a nostalgic, chewy, fudgy, melt in your mouth cookie! This recipe has an addition of coconut for texture and cute candy eggs to make birds nest. They are perfect 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
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 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 and combine the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, milk, and unsweetened cocoa powder. 
  • Over medium heat bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to boil for one minute.
  • Remove from the heat, add and combine the creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract, quick cook oats, and shredded unsweetened coconut.
  • Scoop and drop 2 ounce portions of no bake cookies onto the prepared baking sheet 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 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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