Coconut Macaroon Nests
Coconut Macaroon Nests are a colorful and adorable Easter treat that will delight kids, adults, and all coconut lovers. Coconut nests are an easy spring dessert that will fit right in on your Easter brunch or Easter dinner table!
Servings: 12 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 , 14 oz bag of sweetened coconut flakes
- ⅞ C sweetened condensed milk (⅞ C = ¾ C + 2 Tablespoons)
- 1 + ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large egg whites
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 6-8 oz Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
- 1 , 10.13oz bag of m&m milk chocolate speckled egg candies (or candies of choice)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (or a silpat silicone baking mat). Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract until well combined. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat together egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the coconut mixture with a rubber scraper.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out the coconut macaroon mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Gently shape each portion into a nest by pressing down the center of each scoop with your thumbs (or the back of a tablespoon measure). Press the edges in with your other hand as needed to keep a nice shape.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until the tops and edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and press down the center of the nests again. Allow to cool on the pans for 5-10 minutes to allow them to set. Then move to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- When cooled, place 1-2 tablespoons of Nutella into the center of each next. Place 3 egg-shaped candies into each next.
Notes
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Use different candy eggs. I love the m&m milk chocolate speckled eggs, but you can use your favorite Easter "egg" candies like: Cadbury mini eggs, Whopper’s mini robin eggs, or Hershey’s candy-coated eggs. If desired, you could also try jelly beans.
- Add food dye. Change the color of the nests by adding a few drops of food coloring to the condensed milk.
- Try different fillings. Alternatives include melted chocolate, melted white chocolate, chocolate fudge sauce, or fruit jellies and jams.
- For some extra "birds nest" flair, top with Peeps if desired!
- How to separate egg whites:
- You can separate your egg whites using the shell or with a slotted spoon. To use the shell, crack your eggs over a bowl and slowly let the egg whites drip out of the shell. While the whites are dripping out, keep the yolk trapped in the shell. Transfer the yolk back and forth between the two shell halves, letting more whites drip out during each transfer. To use a slotted spoon, crack your eggs open over the slotted spoon, letting the whites drip into a bowl, and allowing the spoon to catch the yolk.
- Eggs are easier to separate when they’re cold. Also, make sure there are no traces of egg yolk in your separated egg whites. If you think this step will be a challenge for you, then you can purchase liquid egg whites. Typically, 2 tablespoons of liquid egg whites are equal to 1 egg white fresh from the shell.