5 from 5 votes

Easy Chocolate Easter Nests (Cornflake Nests)

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Skip the store-bought candy with these quick, easy and fun chocolate Easter nests made with cornflakes, rich chocolate, and candy Easter eggs.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
£0.44
Makes: 12
Dessert, Snack
British

What’s better than starting Easter morning with a delicious batch of chocolate Easter nests? This iconic Easter treat is festive and a versatile recipe (add whichever candies/cereal you like!).

These chocolate nests are fun and easy to make for Easter and only take about 30 minutes to whip up. They’re made with a yummy chocolate “nest” (made from cornflakes) and topped with mini Easter eggs.

Lots of little chocolate cakes in muffin cups with mini Easter eggs and sprinkles on a bright pink background.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Family fun – These Easter nests are a fun (and delicious) way to involve the whole family in Easter festivities.

Super easy to make – These chocolate cornflake nests are great for all ages, as they only require basic kitchen skills (and no baking!).

Delicious and festive – They’re crunchy, sweet, and allow you to celebrate the holiday in a fun way.

Use leftover chocolate/eggs to make other Easter recipes; Giant Chocolate Cornflake Cake, Easter Rocky Road and Easy Chocolate Easter Nests

Here are some additional holiday recipes to create and serve for an Easter dinner: Fluffy Yorkshire Puddings, Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, and Slow Cooker Gammon Joint.

Can you use different cereal?

Yes! You can absolutely use other types of cereal for these Easter nests. Instead of cornflakes, you can make Rice Krispies Easter nests or Shredded Wheat Easter nests cereal. You can even use Cheerios to make these chocolate nests. Don’t be afraid to try other cereals in your pantry.

Don’t worry if you have extra cereal left over; you can always use it for recipes like Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats and Easter Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients

Ingredients to make some Easter cakes laid out on a pale blue background and labelled.

Cornflakes – You can use various cereals to replace cornflakes in these Easter nests. Unseasoned/fried noodles (like chow mein noodles) are another great alternative for this recipe.

Syrup – If you don’t have golden syrup on hand to make these chocolate Easter nests, you can swap it for corn syrup, cane syrup, or brown rice syrup. These substitutions will affect the flavour slightly, but you’ll still end up with a tasty treat.

Mini Eggs – I love using mini speckled chocolate eggs for this treat to make it look like a real bird’s nest. However, you can use jelly beans, Cadbury mini eggs, or another similar Easter candy if you wish. Love mini eggs? Try these Easter recipes ; Mini Egg Cheesecake and Mini Easter Cheesecakes

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

Here are some ways to make these Easter nests to your own (and your kids!) preferences. Use dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips to create the nests. You can also use a combo of dark and milk chocolate if you wish. You can also use semi sweet chocolate chips or a combo of chocolate and butterscotch chips. Or, make the nests even more festive by using a fun pastel-coloured modelling chocolate.

To create these nests, you can use various cereals (Shredded Wheat, Rice Krispies, etc.). Of course, feel free to play with the candy inside the nests. Try adding in shredded coconut for an even more delicious flavour. Peeps are another fun alternative to candy eggs.

How to make chocolate easter nests

  1. Start by chopping up the chocolate on a wooden board (Image 1).
  2. Melt the butter or margarine together with the golden syrup in a small pan (Image 2).
2 step by step photos, the first with finely chopped chocolate with a knife on a chopping a board and the second with melted butter in a pan.

3. Add the chopped chocolate to the melted butter and golden syrup (Image 3).

4. Stir over a very low heat until melted (Image 4).

2 step by step photos, the first with chopped chocolate melting in a saucepan and the second with melted chocolate being stirred in a pan.

5. Pour the cereal in a large bowl/saucepan with the melted chocolate mixture (Image 5).

6. Stir until all the cereal is coated (Image 6).

2 step by step photos, the first with cornflakes being poured into a saucepan with melted chocolate and the second with these mixed together.

7. Place 12 paper cupcake cases into a cupcake tray. Divide between the paper cases and make a dip in the centre of each one (Image 7).

8. Top with mini eggs and sugar sprinkles (Image 8).

Place in the fridge and leave to set for about 1 hour. Then tuck in and enjoy! Store either in the fridge or at room temp. 

2 step by step photos, the first with chocolate mix added to 12 muffin cups in a muffin tray and the second with mini choclate Easter eggs added with some sprinkles.

Tips for the best result

Use a cookie scoop to help make them all the same size
I recommend using a cookie scoop to create the Easter nests so they’re all the same size. Otherwise, they won’t be as uniform.

Use a muffin tin to help shape them
It’s easier to shape these chocolate nests cornflakes bundles by using a muffin tin. You can add a scoop to each bun pit and press them down in the middle to form a nest shape.

Use muffin cases, too, to prevent sticking/mess
Add muffin liners to the pan for easier cleanup before forming the chocolate nests in the bun pits. If you do it carefully, you only need to do a quick pan rinse afterwards.

Chop the chocolate into small pieces
The best way to ensure you have the right melted chocolate consistency is by chopping the chocolate into small bits. With this method, the chocolate will melt evenly and more quickly. Additionally, this step helps prevent the chocolate from burning.

Heat the chocolate slowly
Chocolate is one ingredient you want to melt slowly. Otherwise, you may encounter separation or a burnt flavour. Ensure you melt it over very low heat on the stove.

Try these other yummy chocolate recipes if you still crave a sweet treat: Kinder Bueno Chocolate Mug Cake, Simple & Easy Brownies, or Nutella Blended Baked Oats.

Some chocolate cakes in muffin cups with mini Easter eggs and sprinkles on a bright pink background.

FAQs

Can you add cream to the melted chocolate instead of syrup?

I don’t recommend using cream for the chocolate Easter nests, as it won’t harden correctly. Instead, it will make a ganache-like consistency.

The easter nests turned out rock solid; what did I do wrong?

If you skipped adding the syrup and butter when melting the chocolate for this Easter nests recipe, you’ll likely end up with solid nests. Another reason may be the chocolate was not mixed enough with the cereal, leaving chunks of chocolate that are too thick/hard to eat. Ensure you follow the directions and mix the cereal and chocolate evenly.

How do you keep chocolate from separating/curdling?

There are a few ways to prevent chocolate from separating as it melts. For one, ensure you haven’t added extra moisture (milk, water, etc.). This moisture can come from freshly washed dishes, like the pan or spoon. Additionally, ensure you’re heating the chocolate on low heat so it melts slowly.
 
If you plan on serving these Easter nests for dessert, consider making one of the following main dishes alongside them: Delicious Tagliatelle Carbonara, Easy Bacon & Lentil Soup, or Easy Chicken & Chorizo Risotto.

A few chocolate cakes in muffin cups with mini Easter eggs and sprinkles on a bright pink background.

If you tried this Easy Chocolate Easter Nests recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

Easy Chocolate Easter Nests (Cornflake Nests)

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5 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
£0.44
Dessert, Snack
British
Servings: 12
Skip the store-bought candy with these quick, easy and fun chocolate Easter nests made with cornflakes, rich chocolate, and candy Easter eggs.

Ingredients

  • 50 g butter or block margarine (£1.69/5)=(£0.34)
  • 2 tbsp golden syrup (£1.28/20)=(£0.06)
  • 250 g milk chocolate, chopped (£1.60)
  • 125 g cornflakes (£0.75/3)=(£0.25)
  • 160 (2 x packs) mini chocolate eggs (£3.00)
  • Sugar sprinkles

Method

  • Place 12 paper cupcake cases into a cupcake tray.
  • Melt the butter or margarine together with the golden syrup in a small pan, add the chopped chocolate and stir over a very low heat until melted.
  • Place the cereal in a large bowl and pour over the melted chocolate mixture and stir until all the cereal is coated. Divide between the paper cases and make a dip in the centre of each one. Top with mini eggs and sugar sprinkles
  • Place in the fridge and leave to set for about 1 hour. Then tuck in and enjoy! Store either in the fridge or at room temp.
  • Tip to add in the helpful tips section about chopping the chocolate to prevent burning. Also have a separate point about the low low heat.

Notes

  • Ensure consistent size by using a cookie scoop/or spoon when forming Easter nests with the chocolate mixture.
  • Use a muffin tin to easily shape the chocolate cornflake bundles, pressing them down in the centre to create a nest shape.
  • Use muffin cases for cleanliness and to prevent sticking.
  • Achieve even melting and prevent burning by chopping the chocolate into small bits, ensuring the right consistency for the mixture.
  • Slowly melt the chocolate over low heat on the stove to avoid separation or a burnt flavour, ensuring a smooth and well-balanced result.

Nutrition

Servings: 12 servings
Fat: 13g
Calories: 310kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 8g

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