Sunday, March 23, 2014

Springtime Birds Nest Candies


Yesterday, Michael and I spent the afternoon and evening with a group of friends, celebrating Ostara and the start of spring.  Normally, for potlucks, I try very hard to make a healthy dish to take, but several people had that covered and I decided to make an old family favorite treat - Springtime Birds Nest Candies.  I've done these many different ways, and I'll share a few variations with you later in this entry, but this is how I did it this year. I made two varieties - one with butterscotch chips and one with dark chocolate chips.

The ingredients are simple - chow mein noodles (or some other sort of crunchy item that will create nest shapes), butterscotch or chocolate chips, and Cadbury mini eggs (or jelly beans), as well as some peanut butter, which didn't make it into this photo.

 The first step is to melt the chips and peanut butter together- this can be done in the microwave, but I prefer to set up a double boiler on the stove, because it will have to be stirred regularly.

I used a bowl big enough to contain the melted chips and peanut butter as well as the chow mein noodles once they get stirred in.  I put the bowl inside my metal colander and suspended it over boiling water in a large stock pot.

It took about 20 minutes, with occasional stirring, for the chips and peanut butter to completely melt.

Once that happened, I lifted the colander and bowl, and set it on a plate away from the heat, and added 2 cans of chow mein noodles, mixing thoroughly to coat.

I find that it helps to add the second can a bit at a time - it's better if they are coated as thinly as possible, so once you think you've added as much as you can, add the rest!

Once they were coated, I used two spoons to lift a small amount and laid them on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper (waxed works fine, too).

Put a little indent in the center, and place a Cadbury Mini Egg into it.  If you're using something smaller, like mini jelly beans, you can add two or three, to create a birds nest effect.  These are ridiculously rich, though, so I kept it to only one egg!

I tucked the tray into the refrigerator to chill.  It doesn't take long - a half hour will do it, although longer is fine!

I made two batches - each batch made about 24 nests.  These keep well in the refrigerator, and can be put into cellophane bags as lovely tuck ins for an Easter Basket.  Enjoy!


Springtime Birds Nest Candies
makes 24 2 1/2" nests

1 bag butterscotch or chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter
2 cans chow mein noodles
48 Cadbury mini eggs

Melt chips and peanut butter over a double boiler until melted and smooth.  Remove from heat and mix in chow mein noodles, blending to coat thoroughly.

Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed or parchment paper.  Top each nest with a candy egg. Put in refrigerator to chill.

Variations:

Coating:  can use candy coating instead of chips, or try coconut oil and cocoa (keep in the refrigerator!)
Crunch: try Rice Krispies, instant oats or coconut flakes.
Eggs: Jelly Bellies, Dried cranberries or blueberries

Happy Spring!



Weekend Wind-Down


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34 comments:

  1. Around christmas time I made some that used a mint dark chocolate chips. mm!

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  2. Love it! I'm from Home Cooking Blog and a new follower on Twitter. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
    http://gangi-homecooking.blogspot.com

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  3. I have never eaten these before or saw chow mein noodles used this way. They look delicious and cute . I'll have to try making these bird nest. I'm pinning this for sure!!

    Have a great day,
    Kim~ This Ole Mom

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  4. Such a fun thing to make in the Spring time. The little ones love to make and eat them. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  5. Oh, Lynda, these are just too cute! Kids (of all ages!) will love these. Thank you so much for sharing them with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- PINNED! :)

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  6. What a great treat! Thank you for sharing your lovely blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo

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  7. G'day and what fun!
    Thanks for sharing it at the Foodie Friends Friday #Foods That Make You Smile Party!
    Cheers! Joanne
    http://whatsonthelist.net

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  8. Thanks for linking up with us the Weekend Wind Down Party! These are super cute.

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  9. This is so cute! I bet they taste awesome!

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  10. These look so lovely! Never thought of using those noodles, but what a fabulous idea, salty and sweet and chocolaty! You're a genius!

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  11. So adorable will share this with my daughter. Thanks for bring it to foodie friday.

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  12. These are a favorite with me! Thanks for linking up at Take it on Tuesday!
    ~ Betsy @ Romance on a dime

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  13. Hi Lynda,
    Your little Birds Nest Candies are just adorable! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again real soon!
    Miz Helen

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  14. These are super duper cute! Thanks for sharing and linking up again with us at the #WWDParty.

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  15. We make these and our family loves them. The crunch of the chow mein noodles is yummy! Thanks for sharing them with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  16. Cue dessert for Easter or for spring! thanks for sharing your post on the HomeAcre Hop, hope to see you again tomorrow! - Nancy
    The Home Acre Hop

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  17. Fun! I remember making these with my children when they were younger! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  18. These are always a festive treat around this time of year. Unfortunately, I can't make them due to a peanut allergy so I enjoy from afar. Thanking you for bringing to my party this week to share with others. Blessings for a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  19. I've never made these, but have seen them. So cute and fun for Easter! Pinned

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  20. These are cute and tasty too! I have made them, but not as bird's nests.. and they were enjoyed much. :)

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  21. Thanks from Grammy Dee, #WednesdayAIMLinkParty, social media shared.

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  22. So cute! Thank you for sharing at Ravenwould.

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  23. Thank you for linking up with us at Fiesta Friday - such a lovely idea!
    Ginger x

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  24. Oh how cute is that Lynda. I would never have thought of using noodles to make the nests. Very clever idea

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  25. These are so cute! I'll have to try these! Great for Easter.

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  26. That is a nice little sweet treat with a difference. Very creative and fun.
    Kathleen
    Blogger's Pit Stop

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  27. I haven't made these in years! Thanks for sharing your recipes with us at My Busy Beehive's #beeparty this week! Yum.

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  28. I used to make these with my First Graders! Thanks for the fond memory!

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  29. I've made something similar before, but I don't think I used butterscotch and chocolate - this sounds delicious! Thanks for linking up with our Merry Monday party this week!

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  30. These are so cute for spring. The kids would love these. Thanks for sharing at the Friday at the Fire Station link up! Pinned

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  31. We make a similar treat, only I use half milk chocolate chips and half butterscotch. Very tasty and cute! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  32. Your bird's nest candies look so cute! What a tasty treat! Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle. Pinning to my Easter Treats Board.

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  33. Congratulations!
    Your awesome post is featured on Full Plate Thursday today and it has been pinned to our features board! Thanks so much for sharing with us and enjoy your new Red Plate.
    Miz Helen

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