Coconut Bird Nests

These whimsical chocolate-coconut nests, complete with colorful jelly bean 'eggs', are easy enough for kids to join in the fun of making.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) package or 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips*
1 (14-ounce) package sweetened flaked coconut**
1 (12-ounce) bag multi-colored candy-coated chocolate pieces

Cooking Directions:

1. Melt chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir in flaked coconut.
2. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Using the back of a spoon, press out a hollow to form a nest.
3. Divide candy-covered chocolate pieces among the nests. Chill until firm, about 10 minutes.

Makes 12 candy nests.

*Use white chocolate chips and tint with you choice of food coloring for pastel-colored white chocolate bird nests.

**To add great flavor and crunch, toast the coconut. To toast, place coconut onto ungreased baking sheet.and bake at 350°F (175°C), stirring often (watch closely, coconut will burn quickly once it's hot), until light golden brown (8 to 10 minutes). Remove from baking sheet. Cool completely.