These Macaroon Bird’s Nest Cookies are cute, colorful and taste delicious. They’re the perfect Easter cookie!
I’m ssssoooo excited! In just over 3 weeks, we celebrate Easter.
One of my very favorite holidays. He is risen!
I have lovvvvved Easter for as long as I can remember. And, this year is no exception. So, I’ve been planning for weeks thinking of which recipes to share with you on this special holiday.
And, I hope you’re as excited with my choices as the kids who search for the hidden treasures on their Great Easter Egg Hunts!
And, believe it or not, I still lovvvvve to color Easter Eggs. There’s just something calming, creative and fun about dipping the eggs into the various colors into stripes, dots and shapes that brings out the little kid in me. We all need a bit of that, right?
And later when the creative fun is done, I love opening the egg carton to reveal the colorful hard-boiled eggs and getting ready to peel their bright, cheerful shells to make into a fabulous egg salad.
It’s just plain fun in the kitchen. 🙂
Which makes me wonder why I don’t color my boiled eggs all year. Why not, right?
When I saw these darling Bird’s Nest Cookies, I just couldn’t resist. Little delicate, chocolate Easter eggs cuddled and nestled in fluffy, sweet, decadent coconut and baked until golden deliciousness.
Brilliant!
They are sweet, light, rich, and decadent all at the same time – absolutely perfect to celebrate a very special holiday.
I made my cookies with both milk chocolate Cadbury Candy Eggs and dark chocolate Cadbury Candy Eggs.
Name your pleasure. Are you a milk chocolate fan?
But, waaaaay more importantly than these cookies, how are YOU spending this special Easter?
Just be sure you save room for these. Your family will love them!
And Easter is about celebration and family.
Macaroon Bird's Nest Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons juice from a freshly squeezed orange
- 5 cups sweetened flaked coconut plus 1 cup reserved
- 1 10 ounce bag Cadbury Mini Chocolate Eggs
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, beat butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, vanilla and orange juice and beat until smooth.
- Add flour to the butter mixture, slowly. Add the coconut and mix to combine.
- Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. One at a time, using a cookie scoop, scoop dough into 1.5 inch balls and roll in 1 cup reserved coconut.
- Arrange on an ungreased baking sheet, one-inch apart. Bake 15-18 minutes until cookies rise and are slightly browned.
- Remove from oven. Immediately press three Cadbury eggs into the center of each cookie.
- Move to a cookie rack and allow to cool.
Notes
Recipe modified from Rook No. 17 @ Macaroon Cookie Bird Nests.
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
Oh my gosh those cadbury eggs are SO addicting. I’ve been holding off on buying them in the store because I know that once they are in the house, there is no stopping me from downing the entire bag, haha. These cookies look awesome!
Kristi says
Agreed! They didn’t last long around here. Neither did the cookies! Thanks Chris! Have a great weekend!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Aren’t those just the cutest little cookies!?! I think you should color your eggs all year! Seems like an easy ticket to happiness to me!
Kristi says
Thanks Lindsey! Seriously, I think I am going to color a dozen eggs this weekend! Hahaha! Now you know what I’m doing! 🙂
Marcie says
I’ve been eyeballing those Cadbury eggs for over a week but have been waiting until I’m ready to use them or the temptation will kill me — I love those and robins eggs! These macaroons sound amazing with the cream cheese and orange zest! Oh how I love Easter.
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie! I love the fun and colors of Easter. And, I have to tell you – the orange zest made it awesome!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I’m in love with Easter desserts! They have to be the prettiest holiday dessert. And these cookies are adorable! My young nephews would go crazy for these. 🙂
Kristi says
Thank you Tina! You should make them with your nephews together!…they would love it and they’re super easy.
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
I will head to Italy for Easter! I’m very happy, just like you, I guess 🙂 Your cookies are very original, love them!
Kristi says
Italy sounds sssooo fun! I wish I were going for Easter. I’m so glad you like the cookies Daniela! Have a great weekend!
dina says
these are so cute for easter!
Kristi says
Thanks Dina – I’m so glad you like them! Have a great weekend!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Aw I love easter desserts – they’re just plain adorable! Just like these best cookies which look so so cute :”)
Kristi says
Thanks Consuelo – I love decorating the sweets for Easter!
Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are} says
Easter is one of my faves too 🙂 ! And why do I always feel like coconut just BELONGS with the holiday? I don’t know – maybe because it’s spring, and summer – therefore pina coladas – is on it’s way?? Who knows. I love little traditional things like this (COOKIES!), and mini Cadburry eggs? Danger!! Super cute. 🙂
Kristi says
Thank you! And that Pina Colada – what a great idea! Hahaha! Love it!
Johlene says
These are sooo cute Kirsti!! You are so right, He has in fact risen!! I love Easter and the hope it brings..
Hope you´re having an amazing weekend.. xoxo
Kristi says
Thank you Johlene! I love Easter too! One of my very favorite holidays! I hope you have a blessed weekend! { Hugs }
Jamie@Milk N Cookies says
Your birds’ nest cookies are adorable! I recently made a similar recipe, but using malted milk eggs. I’ll have to try the Cadbury eggs — I can imagine how delicious these much be with Cadbury! And I definitely can’t choose between milk chocolate and dark chocolate. If it’s chocolate, I’ll eat it!
I’ve never tried macaroons with cream cheese, but I’m intrigued; I imagine it adds some richness. They look and sound delicious!
Kristi says
Thanks Jamie! OMGosh – I lovvvvve malted milk eggs. I’m not sure they’d make it in the cookies I love them so much! The cream cheese makes them so delicious – you should definitely try it!
Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com says
These look adorable!! And incredibly delicious!! I love coconut! So festive for Easter! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great rest of your weekend!!
Kristi says
Thanks Cailee! They were really good too! I hope you have a blessed weekend!
Chocolate Shavings says
Those look like the perfect (yummy!) little nests!
Kristi says
Thank you! I’m so glad you like them!
whatjessicabakednext... says
These are so, so cute! Love the idea and perfect for Easter!
Kristi says
Thanks Jessica! I love them for Easter too – so I’m glad you enjoy them! Have a great week.
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
These are adorable Kristi. And I love coconut!! Let’s see….dark or milk….I generally reach for milk chocolate, but when it is a quality chocolate, I like it dark. I also love Easter because it is such a celebration at church!! I also love that it ushers in spring and flowers and green grass!! And of course, I love how excited my kids get to decorate eggs and hunt for them in the morning!!! These little bird nests are definitely getting me in the mood!! 🙂
Kristi says
Ahhhhh!!! I love your memories of Easter! Those are great ones, and it makes me want Easter even more! Thanks Renee! { Hugs } And, have a great week!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
These are so darling! What a fun treat for kiddos (ummmmm … and adults! :D) – my daughter and I would definitely go for the dark chocolate, but I know my son would be all about the milk chocolate (and my husband would just eat both!). Yum!!!!
Kristi says
Thanks Shelley! These would be really fun to make together with your kids! They’re really easy too! Have a great week.
Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says
Ah… I wish I was still a kid so I could go Easter egg hunting. That was my favorite thing about it! 🙂
How adorable are these cookies!!
Kristi says
You know what? You are NEVER to old for an Easter Egg Hunt. Why not? 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I’ll take milk chocolate over dark chocolate any day. These nest cookies look adorable. And yummy!
Kristi says
Milk chocolate was my favorite too – so I completely hear you! Thanks for the compliments!
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Kristi, these look fantastic! I love Easter! My son was actually born on Easter day. My bunny brings me some good stuff 😀
I love these little macaroon nests! I’m a huge dark chocolate fan, but will eat any chocolate I can get my hands on. Seriously, I can’t say no! Pinning!!
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Cindy! Your son has a birthday coming up! Maybe these cookies are a perfect treat for him!
Kelly says
These birds nest cookies look adorable Kristi! I love coconut and those Cadbury eggs – so perfect for Easter – hope you have a great one 🙂 Hehe I love both dark chocolate or milk chocolate 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly – they were really fun to make. You have a Happy Easter too!
Sheryl @Lady Behind The Curtain says
These are adorable! What a fun Easter treat 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Sheryle! They are so festive, aren’t they? 🙂
Maura Giorgio says
I looked everywhere for the Russel Stover green birds nest candies to decorate an Easter cake. Then I found this; maybe a little more work than buying the nests but definitely much tastier! The only thing I added was green food coloring to batter & coconut. Cake looks amazing, thank you for the awesome recipe!