Bring the Dessert!

So orders the commander-in-chief (my mother) at command central (her home) relative to the extended family Easter dinner.  Where is daughter Sarah, the most excellent family baker, when I need her?  Way out in Ohio, of course.

This is what my kitchen looks like after putting together just two desserts for the grand shindig:

Well, minus the apron, minus the high heels, minus the little black dress, minus the silly hat, and minus the goofy and surely-not-helping husband.  Oh, and I do not do pots on the wall, either.  

So anyway, I started with a good old standby, which I adapt for whatever season or holiday I am in.  Back around Halloween, I called these treats "mini monsters" and used tiny edible eyeballs.

I told Brianna and Tori to give me their best monster faces.

Now that it's Spring, I call them "bird nests" and tuck tiny jelly eggs into the nests.

These are so easy to make that I often keep the ingredients on hand, in case I need a very quick make and take dessert.  

Gather up your ingredients:

one bag of chow mein noodles

one 12 oz. bag of semi sweet chocolate bits

small pastel jelly eggs

wax paper

Directions: 

First line a cookie sheet with wax paper.

Place the chocolate bits into a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 30 second increments, stirring after each, until chocolate is melted.

Once melted, add the chocolate to the noodles and mix until combined.  It will look like a wormy mess.

Drop them by spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet and use your fingers to form them into rough nest shapes.  I dare you not to lick your fingers!

Add some "eggs" to the nests, then refrigerate them to harden them up a bit.

Here they are, all packaged and ready for the mother of all Easter feasts:

Oh, and I made some cupcakes too.

So we are all set and anxious to go pig out visit with family and celebrate the holiday.

Let the festivities begin!  Happy Easter!