Chocolate Nests

It's no secret that I'm clumsy. My parents like to joke that they should have named me Grace. Oh, the irony. If only they had the foresight to actually do so—now that would have been truly ironic.

Unfortunately, my clumsiness (and uncanny ability to trip while standing still) extends to the kitchen. I'm a hazard to myself. I've burned myself more often than I can count. Currently, my arms and hands are host to a grand total of six burns. I honestly couldn't tell you where half of them came from. It's reached the point where I don't even notice when I've done it. Sometimes I tell people I won a battle between a renegade cupcake pan and myself. But really, who am I trying to kid? That cupcake pan kicked my butt.

I'm just glad baking doesn't require much knife work.

After all that fuss, I decided that it might be smart to make something no-bake this week. No knives, no ovens, no chance to injure myself unless I seriously forget the function of a spatula.

In honor of spring and the upcoming Easter holiday, I thought these chocolate nests would be perfect. I remember seeing these in cookbooks as a child, but I had never made or eaten them before. I figured it was time to put my childhood curiosity to rest. Since Easter candy is rampant this time of year, it's the best time of year to make these treats.

These Chocolate Nests are made from chow mein noodles coated in peanut butter and chocolate. I was initially hesitant to use chow mein noodles for these treats (chow mein noodles are associated more with stir fry and less with dessert in my head), but these noodles were destined for this dessert. I couldn't have been more wrong about them. They provide the perfect crunch and look with minimal taste so the chocolate and peanut butter really shine through. You can use any candy of your choosing for the eggs—mini candy eggs, jelly beans, foil wrapped chocolate eggs. The sky is really the limit here.

Chocolate Nests

Yields 8-10 3-inch nests

3 cups crispy chow mein noodles
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
30 candy robin eggs (I used mini whoppers, but you could use jelly beans, foil wrapped eggs, or anything egg shaped)

In a medium mixing bowl, place the chow mein noodles.

In a small saucepan, melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter over low heat. Stir until smooth. Pour over the noodles and stir until evenly coated.

On a cookie sheet covered in parchment or wax paper, take a handful of noodles and form a nest, making an indent in the center. Continue doing so until all the noodles are used. Refrigerate the cookies to set the chocolate for 30-45 minutes before serving. Place eggs in nests. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.