Mini Easter Nest Cakes

Looking for a cute, spring themed food option this week? These Mini Easter Nest Cakes are so fun and festive! Three ingredients, kid friendly and full of decadent chocolate. And healthy enough for breakfast or a snack!

You’ve probably noticed all the Easter foods circulating around Pinterest. But did you know that many of these cute options have great significance and symbolism? For example:

• Eggs— signify life and the resurrection of Jesus
• Chocolate Easter Bunny and Candy— became a thing in the 19th century as gifts (to replace painted eggs or papier mache eggs given in 18th Century).
• Italian Easter Bread–baked in form of wreath to signify crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ at crucifixion.

Easter is also a time for cake. For example, a Simnel Cake— a light fruit cake containing marzipan, which symbolizes the Apostles. While I’ve heard of this dessert, I’ve never had it. Have you?

Instead, my family had the tradition of a lamb cake. The lamb (which signifies Jesus) is also a special tribute to my mom’s childhood. Using her Aunt Sarah’s famous pound cake and buttercream frosting recipes, my mom replicates a sweet little cake, similar to one her family would have each Easter. It’s truly so special and a staple of my childhood!

And while the cake is absolutely delicious, my favorite part has always been the small details– the candy eggs hidden among the easter grass. The little chick that would sit upon the lamb. Just seeing this spring platter on the table makes me happy.

Several years ago, I had the idea of creating cake “nests” for an easy, kid friendly Easter recipe that my own family could love. I incorporated those small details that I’m so fond of–candy eggs, easter grass, and that baby chick.

Yes, I should probably give the lamb cake a whirl one of these days and carry on the tradition. But for now, I’m sharing this quick Easter inspired chocolate nest recipe.

Simple enough for baking today, healthy enough to eat any day.

Mini Easter Nest Cakes

This recipe transforms mini bundt cakes into “nests” that cradle candy eggs and symbolize the season beautifully! Using only 3 ingredients, you can create a simple, healthier chocolate treat full of whole grains and protein.

Ingredients

With these ingredients, you can whip these up anytime!

• Kodiak Pancake mix, dark chocolate
• Milk
• mini Cadburry eggs (my favorite!)

Substitutions

• Use any pancake mix
• In place of milk, you can use water, or a combination of both
• You can also use any prepared cake, brownie or muffin mix you prefer for nests
• For candy eggs, you can also sub in jellybeans, foiled covered chocolates or your favorite candy.

Equipment needed

You may be shocked that I’m ditching my beloved silicone bakeware, but for this occasion, I’m using a mini bundt cake pan that I was gifted awhile back.

You can snag it on prime just in time for Easter by clicking here.

How to make an Easter Nest

The shape of the cake pans forms the nest. Therefore, there’s:

• no melting chocolate
• no pressing and shaping
• no waiting for nests to form

And no concern of fragile chocolatey twigs breaking!

All you have to is follow these steps:

1. Prepare Pancake mix using milk
2. Pour into mini bundt cake pan, distributing batter equally among 12 cakes (roughly each cup will be about 3/4 full of batter)
3. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15-18 minutes
4. Once cool, run a butter knife around the perimeter of each mini cake to help loosen, flip pan over to remove cakes
5. Decorate with chocolate eggs

Enjoy!

Tips/Tricks

• Spray the muffin pan well using non-stick spray
• It’s okay if muffins get a bit overfilled or tops bake imperfectly– you’re going to flip them over anyways!
• They do make silicone mini bundt cake pans. I haven’t used one but I’m so tempted to order. I’m thinking you could also get creative with your cupcake pan as well 😉
• Easter grass makes for an extra fun, festive plate. I use just for decor, but you can purchase edible grass (Target also has it super cheap!)
• This recipe transforms easily into a “nest” for holding fruit, sausage, yogurt, etc. for healthy breakfast/snack option all year round

How to store and serve

These hold up well– you can make ahead and freeze or store up to 4 days in airtight container. I prefer to store them in the fridge (keeps moist!) and either eat cold/bring to room temp or zap in microwave for a couple seconds. Either way, I suggest not placing candy eggs on top until right before serving.

Serving is easy– decorate a plate full or just one at a time. Without tedious preparation, chocolate dipped eggs, it’s a true grab and enjoy type treat.

My kids love these! I’ll be including one into each of their lunch boxes this week!

Are these healthy?

Yes! Using Kodiak cakes, you reap the benefits of whole grains and protein compared to typical boxed cake. And depending how you it up, you can even add in more protein.

Of course, you can use any prepared boxed mix (any flavor!), making this recipe a true winner– Affordable, accessible and great for all abilities!

I hope this also inspires you not to over complicate holiday theme treats. No matter how you serve or what mix you use, these offer a healthy serving size of joy.

Looking for something similar?

If you love muffin and handheld size foods, please check out:

• Baked Eggs
• sausage pancake muffins
• stuffing muffins

For another chocolate treat, please check out: pumpkin peanut butter swirl brownies or chocolate clusters

Full Hands & Heart

These Mini Easter Nest Cakes are sure to be a hit! Share with a friend and be sure to tag me @briefandbalanced on Instagram. I’d love to see your creations! Feel free to leave a comment/rating below as well.