Momma Told Me: Spring has sprung.
Spring arrived here in Southern California a month ago- right about the time the pollen began coating my car top in a thick yellow-green haze, and the temperatures broke 90F. With it being Easter weekend, the kids are all out on break, and the roads and stores are quite abuzz with the excitement of reconnecting and relaxing. Everywhere I go I am asked, "Big plans for this weekend?" Living on the beach, and in such a pristine climate, it's expected Southern Californians celebrate big. However, this year my father's visiting his family on the East Coast, and my nieces and nephews are up in Oregon. With Jay working (most likely a 12 hour shift) this is going to be one relaxing holiday.
Big Easter plans, or not, one of my favorite things about Spring is the chance to play with colorful ingredients and playful recipes. When I first made OREO truffles, a few years back for the holidays, I knew the recipe was simple and versatile enough to be applied to more creative seasonal creations. I've seen baseballs, pumpkins, shortcake stuffed, birthday cake, Easter bunny OREO Truffles, and more! But what I really wanted to try was a new twist on the classic (Chow Mein) Peanut Butter Nests. So I present to you- OREO Robin's Egg Nests!
OREO Robin's Egg Nests
Ingredients:
8oz Softened Cream Cheese
1 Package of OREO Cookies (I used mint for the theme)
1 Bag (8oz) Wilton Chocolate Melts, White
1 Bag (8oz) Wilton Chocolate Melts, Blue
1 TBS Coconut Oil
12oz White Chocolate Chips
1/4 C Peanut Butter (Creamy or Stone Ground)
2 Cans (10oz) Chow Mein Noodles
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1/2 C Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 TBS Coconut Oil
Toothbrush + Paper Towel for Speckling
1. Prepare your OREO Truffle (egg) base by first pulverizing your OREO cookies until you have 3 C finely ground crumbs. Combine your softened cream cheese and OREO crumbs together in a large bowl, until even and well combined. Shape into 1" oblong balls and set on a lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the remainder of the recipe.
2. Microwave white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl on Medium-High heat for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir thoroughly. Add coconut oil and microwave and additional 15-20 seconds. Remove and stir until mixture is even. Add peanut butter and combine until well blended.
3. Add Chow Mein noodles to chocolate mixture and toss until evenly coated. Drop in generous clumps (about 2 TBS) onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Create a little nook in the center of each clump to serve as the center of your nest. Place the tray into the refrigerator for 15 minutes, or freezer for 5 to help set.
4. Melt Wilton melts according to package directions, beginning with white and adding a few pieces of blue until desired color is achieved. Add coconut oil and stir until slightly thinner. Drop chilled eggs into chocolate mixture one at a time, on a dipper or fork. Allow excess chocolate to drain momentarily to evenly coat the egg. Place each egg on a slatted cookie rack with parchment paper below and allow them to set. If desired, place dipped eggs in the freezer for 5-10 MINS to aid in setting.
5. Microwave semi-sweet chocolate chips for 1 MIN at Medium-High heat. Remove and stir in coconut oil until smooth and even. Dip the head of the toothbrush in the chocolate and tip the neck of the brush gently on the side of the bowl to remove any clumps of chocolate. With the head just lightly coated in chocolate roughly flick the brush over the OREO egg truffles, in a quick downward motion to spray them with a light speckling of chocolate. If you have any areas where chocolate clumps or falls heavy, gently daub the speckles with a dry paper towel. Allow to set, and enjoy!
If you're not big into peanut butter you can substitute the peanut butter for butterscotch morsels- but the texture of your nests will be less creamy. Mint isn't exactly the ideal pairing for a peanut butter base, but I thought the Mint OREO truffles fit the Robin's Egg theme well- and not everybody will eat this treat all at once. Regardless, they sure look adorable on a Spring brunch table setting!
What Daughter Says: Easter Sunday signals the confirmed arrival of Spring!
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