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    Home » Desserts » Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests

    Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests

    Published: March 25, 2022 · Jill Baird · Leave a Comment

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    homemade coconut macaroon easter nests dessert
    coconut macaroon easter nests, easy easter dessert

    These adorable Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests are a simple but impressive Easter treat.  They’re made using our easy Coconut Macaroon recipe, a little food coloring and your favorite mini candy eggs.

    Jump to:
    • Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests
    • Ingredients in These Coconut Macaroons Easter Nests
    • How to Make Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests
    • Tips and Tricks for Easter Coconut Macaroons
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing
    • Coconut Macaroon Bird Nests Recipe
    • More of The Best Easter Recipes To Try

    Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests

    These Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests are easily one of my favorite Easter treats.  Not only are they simple and delicious, but they make any holiday table look super festive.  Kids love them because, hello, they are filled with candy!  But, adults will love them because these coconut macaroons are de-lish.

    You can fill the center of each Easter nest with green shredded coconut and a few candies, melted chocolate or even top each cookie off with a marshmallow Peep.  If macaroons aren’t your thing, try our Rice Krispies Bird Nest recipe.  It’s a similar concept, but made with Rice Krispies and gooey marshmallows instead.

    If you're looking for more Easter Desserts, be sure to check out our Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls.

    Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests topped with green colored shredded coconut and candy eggs on a baking sheet.

    Ingredients in These Coconut Macaroons Easter Nests

    • Shredded Coconut - we suggest using sweetened coconut but you can substitute unsweetened coconut if you want to cut a bit of sugar.
    • Flour - you can use either all-purpose flour or cake flour for this recipe.
    • Sugar - you’ll need white granulated sugar to make these coconut macaroon cookies.
    • Salt - sea salt or kosher salt work great.
    • Egg Whites - you will need only the whites from the eggs.  Either reserve the yolks for another use or discard.
    • Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract tastes best.
    • Green Food Coloring - this is optional but really makes it pop.
    • Mini Candy Eggs - you can use Cadbury Mini Eggs, another brand of mini chocolate eggs or even jelly beans.
    Three photos showing the steps for making macaroons, including a bowl with ingredients ready to mix, macaroons on a baking sheet ready to bake, and a measuring cup pressing a dent into the center of a baked macaroon.

    How to Make Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests

    1. Make the coconut mixture.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded coconut, flour, sugar, salt, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
    2. Scoop.  Using a small ice cream scoop or two spoons, scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of the coconut mixture onto baking sheets with parchment paper, keeping them 2" apart.   Use a rounded spoon to create a dent in the center of each macaroon.
    3. Bake.  Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottoms and edges.  Remove from the oven and use a rounded spoon to press the dent (or nest) into the center of each cookie.  Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
    4. Decorate.  Meanwhile, in a small bag, combine ⅔ cup shredded coconut and 5 drops of green food coloring.  Seal the bag and shake until the food coloring has distributed evenly on all of the coconut.  Remove green shredded coconut from the bag and add about 1 tablespoon to the center of each nest.  Top with a few Cadbury Mini Eggs, then serve.
    5. Enjoy!
    Baked Easter coconut macaroons on a sheet tray.

    Tips and Tricks for Easter Coconut Macaroons

    Here are a few of our tried and true tips, tricks and variations to make the very best Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests:

    • Add a tablespoon of melted chocolate, ganache or Nutella to the center of the bird nests before adding the coconut grass and candy Easter eggs.
    • For a nice finishing touch, dip the bottom of each coconut macaroon nest into melted chocolate and let them set up on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • In order to get perfectly round nests, you can bake the macaroons in mini muffin tins.  Be sure and spray each muffin tin lightly with nonstick cooking spray before adding the coconut mixture.  Otherwise, you’ll make and bake exactly as directed.
    • Substitute any of your favorite mini candy eggs or jelly beans for the center.  For fun, you could even top each cookie with a marshmallow Peep!
    A tray full of coconut macaroons with a tiny nest in the center filled with colorful candy eggs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I freeze coconut macaroon nests?

    Yes!  If you’re a real planner, you can go ahead and store the baked macaroons in freezer bags or another airtight container for up to 2 months.  That way all you’ll need to do is add the green coconut grass and the candy eggs at the last minute.

    What’s the difference between a coconut macaroon and a macaron?

    Macaroons and macarons are both cookies that are made with egg whites and sugar.  However they look, taste and are made quite differently.  Macaroons are made with shredded coconut, are most often nut-free and originated in the United States. 

    Macarons, on the other hand, are a French confection made with almond flour and meringue.  A macaron consists of two brightly colored meringue cookies sandwiched together with any number of different flavored fillings. Macaroons are always coconut.

    Why did my macaroons spread?

    Hopefully, you shouldn’t have this issue with our Coconut Macaroon recipe since we add a little flour to ours.  However, if you find that your Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests are spreading, next time try beating the egg whites separately in a bowl with a whisk until stiff peaks form.  Fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture carefully, then scoop and bake as directed.  

    Another trick is to refrigerate the macaroons for about 30 minutes after you scoop them.

    Storing

    • Room Temperature: macaroon nests can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
    • Refrigerator: if you want them to last a bit longer, store macaroon nests in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
    • Freezing: the baked cookies will also freeze great.  Store in freezer bags or an airtight container for up to 2 months in the freezer.  To thaw, pull out to room temperature for a couple of hours then decorate as desired.
    coconut macaroon bird nests
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    Coconut Macaroon Bird Nests Recipe

    These adorable Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests are a simple but impressive Easter treat.  They’re made using our easy Coconut Macaroon recipe, a little food coloring and your favorite mini candy eggs.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 12 cookies
    Calories 184kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 2 ⅔ cup Shredded Coconut sweetened
    • ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
    • ⅔ cup Sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • 4 large Egg Whites
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

    Decoration

    • ⅔ cup Shredded Coconut
    • 5 drops Green Food Coloring
    • 1 cup Cadbury Mini Eggs or any other candy egg

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
    • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded coconut, flour, sugar, salt, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
    • Using a small ice cream scoop or two spoons, scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of the coconut mixture onto baking sheets with parchment paper, keeping them 2" apart. Use a rounded spoon to create a dent in the center of each macaroon.
    • Bake in a preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottoms and edges.
    • Remove macaroons from the oven and use a rounded spoon to press the dent, or nest, into the center of each cookie. Allow cookies to cool completely.
    • Meanwhile, in a small bag, combine ⅔ cup shredded coconut and 5 drops of green food coloring. Seal the bag and shake until the food coloring has distributed evenly on all of the coconut.
    • Remove green shredded coconut from the bag and add about 1 tablespoon to the center of each nest. Top with a few Cadbury Mini Eggs, then serve. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

    More of The Best Easter Recipes To Try

    • Cadbury Mini Egg Cookies
    • Rice Krispies Bird Nests
    • Cadbury Cookie Bars
    • How to Cook a Spiral Ham
    • Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread
    • Bacon and Asparagus Quiche
    • Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
    • Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
    • Coconut French Toast
    • More Dessert Recipes
    • More Easy Cookies

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    Pinterest pin for Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests.

    These festive Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests are a simple and delicious Easter treat for all ages. They're made with our easy Coconut Macaroons recipe, a little food coloring and your favorite mini candy eggs.

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