Sugar Mommas’ Springtime Tweets

As you may recall from Valentine’s Day, we love any excuse to incorporate marshmallows into our dessert.  If we can add chocolate and peanut butter, pretend to make it healthy with some shredded wheat, embellish it so it’s super cute and colorful, everything you see is edible AND it counts as a fun family craft project with the kids – well, score a major goal for the Sugar Mommas!    Whether it’s Easter, Passover, or just welcoming Spring, we invite you to indulge in this scrumptious and festive little feast.

You will need 

FOR 8-10 NESTS:

¼ cup butter

4 cups mini marshmallows

1 ½ cups chocolate chips (we used Guittard’s milk chocolate)

5 cups shredded wheat, crushed

¼-½  teaspoon ground cinnamon (according to your preference)

Wax paper

Baking sheet

 Instructions 

• In a large pot, melt butter and marshmallows over medium-low heat, stirring regularly.  When the marshmallows begin to melt, add chocolate chips and continue stirring until all marshmallows and chocolate are melted and well blended.  Remove pot from heat, stir in shredded wheat and cinnamon until it is thoroughly coated with your sticky mixture. Let set for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Set out a sheet of wax paper on a baking sheet or large plate.  Grab handfuls of your shredded wheat mixture and shape into nests.  These can vary in shape and size – a perfect project for the kids to take part in.  Just plan to wash your hands afterwards.  When done, place baking sheet in refrigerator to set while you prepare your eggs.
• Sugar Mommas Tip: Butter up your hands a little bit before shaping and they won’t stick so much.

This is what your nests will look like initially.

 You will need 

FOR EGGS:

¼ cup butter

¾ cup peanut butter (we used Laura Scudder’s Old-Fashioned Smooth)

4 ounces cream cheese

2 cups confectioner’s sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

Wax paper

Instructions 

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix all ingredients until smooth and creamy.  Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
• When ready, lay out a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet.  Form egg shapes with your peanut butter mixture and lay out on wax paper.  Enlist the kids to help.  The eggs are much more interesting when they are not uniform and if everyone sneaks a few bites here and there, at least there’s protein in the snack!

FOR DIP:

2 cups chocolate chips (we used 1 cup each of Guittard white and semi-sweet)

Decorating Sugars and/or Decoratifs ♥

Wax Paper

• Place one-half cup of chocolate in a medium size microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds on 30% power.  Remove carefully (bowl may be hot).  Stir chocolate. Repeat process until chocolate is melted.
• Take your prepared peanut butter “eggs” and drop them in the bowl, one or two at a time, turning them with a spoon until fully coated and then remove with your spoon and place back on wax paper to cool.  Let set 5 minutes before decorating (you don’t want to wait too long or the decorating sugars won’t adhere as easily).
• Sprinkle with your favorite Decorating Sugar or Decoratif.  ♥ We like to use India Tree because their sugar crystals are big with bold colors.  Check out their Spring line at www.indiatree.com.
• After your eggs are decorated, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator one hour (or longer) to set.  Then arrange your eggs on various nests and embellish with jelly beans, Whopper eggs, or any other fun springtime treats.
• Sugar Mommas Tip: Melt your chocolate in half cup increments so you don’t waste.  Also, you don’t have to do all your eggs at once and may store your peanut butter mix overnight before completing your eggs.

OUR EDIBLE NESTS HISTORY

When I was a little girl, I brought home a recipe from school and asked my mom if we could make it for Easter.  She obliged, of course, as we often baked together.  It was a special memory and a delicious treat.  As Easter approached this year, and I am finally a mom as well, I found myself craving this yummy dessert that I remembered from decades ago.  I searched high and low on the internet, asked my mom and other family members, but no one seemed to have the right recipe – they way I remembered it.  Marshmallows AND chocolate in the nests, no coconut, shredded wheat not crispy noodles, no raw egg in the peanut butter eggs (yuck!), etc.  So through a little trial and error I recreating my childhood memory and I’m able to share it with my family this year.  And of course, we can share it with all of you and your families which makes it that much more special.  Thanks for supporting the Sugar Mommas and happy baking!