Easter nests take me right back to my childhood (as I’m sure they do with everyone) so I’m very happy that I can make healthier ones for my little ones (OK lets face it and myself) these days. Christmas and Easter could totally be renamed winter Chocolate festival and spring festival part 2 in my house, because we seem to go a little chocolate overboard around those times of year. Not that there’s anything wrong with that I hasten to add. Just telling you guys how it is.

ANYWAY, I am totally loving puffed quinoa as an alternative to puffed rice at the moment as it’s got lots more protein in it and I absolutely love the taste too. In fact I could write a whole article on why I love it so much but I don’t think that’s what your here for. You came for the chocolate nests and you won’t leave until you’ve got them. And I don’t blame you, in your boat I’d be totally the same. So yes puffed quinoa, and also some coconut to make them extra ‘nesty’. And all the chocolate too, OFC.

These beauties are ridiculously simple. I can say that because I successfully made them with a toddler old, and my floor, walls and kitchen cabinets enjoyed them immensely too. Mess aside, they are seriously delicious and the perfect accompaniment for the Spring chocolate festival. Whoops I mean Easter.

Ingredients

For the nests

• 1 cup puffed quinoa
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 6 tbsp cacao powder
• 4 tbsp coconut oil
• 5 tbsp pure maple syrup

For the eggs

• 4 tbsp coconut oil
• 4 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp cashew butter
• Pinch of Himalayan salt

To make the nests, melt the coconut oil in a bowl over a saucepan half full of water on a medium heat, then pour into a bowl and add the cacao powder and maple syrup. Stir well, then add in the coconut and quinoa puffs and stir until you have an evenly covered mixture. Pop into cake cases or a silicone cupcake mould and shape into nests (I find the best way is a dollop of mixture, flatten it down then use your fingers to push down a dent in the middle).

Pop these in the freezer to set, then make the decorations. Melt the coconut oil as above, stir in the other ingredients and mix well. Spoon into moulds and place in the freezer to set. After a few hours the nests and decorations should both have set, so pop the eggs etc into the nests and enjoy!

Love, Mrs H xx