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    Home » Blog posts by Rosanna ETC » Desserts

    Mini Chocolate Meringue Nests

    Published: Mar 20, 2022 by Rosanna Stevens · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    Chocolate meringue nests that make the perfect individual dessert for Easter and double up as decorations! These Easter chocolate nests are sweet and crunchy and look so cute filled with eggs on Easter Sunday (or the whole weekend).

    Making meringue is second nature to me now and this easy meringue recipe is perfect for making chocolate meringue nests. To create a nest effect we use melted chocolate piped over the top of the nests, and included below is a video of how to make a piping bag out of baking paper that is the ideal small size for piping chocolate.

    Meringue is made by whisking egg whites and sugar together before baking in a low oven. We allow it to dry out before decorating, and the result is a crunchy exterior that holds shape really well.

    easter meringue nests filled with mini eggs candy

    These easy meringue nests are ideal for Easter, where they can double up as decorations and dessert! I put them out on the Easter dinner table filled with little easter eggs and then at dessert time, guests can dig in. Why not fill the centre of the chocolate meringue nests with whipped cream and top with some more chocolate shavings?

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Mini Chocolate Meringue Nests

    Ingredients

    Here's how to make easy meringue nests for Easter.

    • Eggs
    • White granulated sugar
    • Milk chocolate

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 120 degrees Celsius / 250 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large oven tray with non-stick baking paper.

    Make your meringue by separating the egg whites from the egg yolks. Take extreme care to not get any yolk into the whites, even a tiny speck of yolk in the white will result in a failed meringue.

    Whisk the egg whites until they are pale and frothy with soft peaks. Slowly add the sugar until you have a glossy, silky and opaque white mixture that is fully incorporated.

    Spoon the mixture onto it in small nests. Use the spoon to create a dip in the centre of the meringue nest.

    Sprinkle some extra sugar over the top of the meringue nests to create a slightly browned and extra crispy exterior.

    Bake the mini meringue nests in the oven for 1 hour before turning the oven off and leaving until it has completely cooled. This allows the meringue nests to dry out.

    Melt your chocolate and spoon it into a small piping bag. Cut the end off, leaving a very small opening.

    Create your chocolate meringue nests by drizzling the melted chocolate over the meringue nests in a circular pattern to emulate sticks and branches.

    Leave the chocolate meringue nests to dry and then enjoy!

    How to make a piping bag for melted chocolate decorations

    1. Cut a rectangular strip of baking paper/greaseproof paper and then cut it into a triangle with one long side and two short sides.
    2. Roll into a cone, adjusting the edges so that the tip is completely closed.
    3. Fold the edges over each other to fix them in place.
    4. Place 2-3 tablespoons of melted chocolate into the piping bag.
    5. Cut 1mm from the tip and pipe away!
    A demonstration of how to make a piping bag for melted chocolate using a triangle shaped piece of baking paper and rolling it into a cone shape

    Watch this video to see me making one in action.

    Hint: Decorate your chocolate meringue nests on the baking tray, as you'll inevitably get chocolate in a few more places than planned and it creates a lot less washing up!

    Three chocolate meringue nests surrounded by Easter eggs

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best way to melt chocolate?

    You can melt chocolate in three ways

    • On an induction stove in a saucepan on low heat
    • On a gas stove in a bowl above a saucepan of steaming hot water
    • In an oven-safe container at 100 degrees celsius

    Can I use store-bought prepackaged egg whites for meringue?

    I personally find that using prepackaged egg whites from a carton never yield good results when making meringue. I prefer to use whole eggs and then use the yolks to make ice cream or mayonnaise!

    Can you whisk meringue by hand?

    Yes! It's easy to whisk meringue by hand as long as you have the right equipment, I had to whisk egg whites by hand at chef school all the time. You will need a large bowl and a large balloon whisk. The size of the whisk is very important, you won't get enough air into the mixture otherwise and will only end up with an aching arm.

    Variations

    Here are some ways you can adapt or change up this chocolate meringue nests recipe to suit you.

    • Deluxe - add white and dark chocolate to the mix to really go to town on the chocolate
    • Vegan - here is an alternative meringue recipe you can use with aquafaba
    • Giant - you can make this into one giant nest to make it a sharing dessert

    Like meringue? Try an Eton Mess!

    Equipment

    To make these chocolate meringue nests you will need:

    • Mixing bowl
    • Food processor or electric whisk (I have a Kitchen Aid)
    • Baking tray
    • Non-stick liner (I use this re-useable liner)
    • Baking paper or piping bags

    Storage

    You can store the chocolate meringue nests in an airtight container for up to a week.

    Meringue freezes well - but best to wait to decorate them until after you have defrosted.

    Top tip

    The rule of thumb is to use 50 grams of sugar for each egg white, so you can scale this chocolate meringue nest recipe up or down to suit you.

    chocolate meringue nests filled with mini eggs candy

    Mini Chocolate Meringue Nests

    Easy meringue nests decorated with piped chocolate - the perfect Easter dessert that also serves as decoration!
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Drying out and decoration 1 hr 15 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs 25 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 nests
    Calories 270 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 mixing bowl
    • 1 electric whisk or stand mixer
    • 1 large baking tray
    • 1 non-stick baking liner
    • 1 small piping bag

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 egg whites
    • 175 grams white granulated sugar
    • 90 grams milk chocolate
    • 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 120 degrees Celsius / 250 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large oven tray with non-stick baking paper.
    • Make your meringue by separating the egg whites from the egg yolks. Take extreme care to not get any yolk into the whites, even a tiny speck of yolk in the white will result in a failed meringue. 
    • Whisk the egg whites until they are white and frothy with soft peaks. Slowly add the sugar until you have a glossy, opaque white mixture that is fully incorporated.
    • Line a baking tray and spoon the mixture onto it in small nests. Use the spoon to create a dip in the centre of the meringue nest. 
    • Sprinkle some extra sugar over the meringue nests to help them brown sightly and crisp up.
    • Bake the mini meringue nests in the oven for 1 hour before turning the oven off and leaving until it has completely cooled. This allows the meringue nests to dry out.
    • Melt your chocolate and spoon it into a small piping bag. Cut 1mm from the tip, to leave a very small opening.
    • Create your chocolate meringue nests by piping the melted chocolate over the meringue nests in a circular pattern to emulate sticks and branches. 
    • Leave the chocolate meringue nests to dry and then enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 270kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 41mgPotassium: 103mgFiber: 1gSugar: 49gCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Chocolate meringue nests, Easter meringue nests, Easy meringue nests
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

    1. Helene says

      March 20, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      5 stars
      These chocolate meringue nests were so fun and easy to make and made great Easter decorations as well as a yummy dessert! Thank you so much for the recipe

      Reply
    2. Louise says

      March 21, 2022 at 11:41 am

      5 stars
      Easter is my favourite time of year so getting some practice in making these super delicious meringue nests!

      Reply
    3. Toby says

      March 21, 2022 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and fun! We made these nests with our daughter and we all loved them! Thanks so much!

      Reply
    4. Charly says

      March 21, 2022 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      Really fun & easy to make & look so fabulous too! Thanks!

      Reply
    5. Ashley says

      March 21, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      This is a fun and cute Easter project, and a great treat!

      Reply
    6. Jean Nie says

      March 21, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      they look absolutely adorable and perfect for Easter, kids will surely enjoy these mini chocolate meringue nest treats.

      Reply
    7. Kat says

      March 21, 2022 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      Such a pretty dessert for Easter!

      Reply
    8. Chris says

      March 21, 2022 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      These chocolate nests are perfect for Easter! I'm saving this recipe for later!

      Reply
    9. Giangi says

      March 21, 2022 at 5:20 pm

      5 stars
      A fantastic idea for Easter. Thank you for all the explanations, make life easy when you are not a baker.
      Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    10. nancy says

      March 21, 2022 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      such a cute idea and it tastes so good too! it was a lot of fun making it now that spring is in the air

      Reply
    11. Shelby says

      March 21, 2022 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      The perfect place settings and individual desserts for the kids table at Easter!

      Reply
    12. Andrea says

      March 21, 2022 at 10:32 pm

      5 stars
      perfect for easter! cannot wait to make these for the holiday. kids will loveee them!

      Reply
    13. EMILY says

      March 22, 2022 at 12:38 am

      5 stars
      These are the cutest little nests I've ever seen...how clever! I can't wait to make these for Easter this year!

      Reply

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    Rosanna Stevens opening a bottle of champagne.

    Rosanna Stevens opening a bottle of champagne.

    I'm Rosanna, a trained chef, published writer and food and style fanatic. I believe in using food and drink to make every day an event with fresh and seasonal produce, wine pairings and a perfectly styled plate.

    I write for publications in the UK, USA and Central America on food, travel and the destinations I love and have also created several recipe ebooks and Stop The Scroll, a beginner's guide to food styling and photography. Thanks for being here!

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