Bird’s Nest Easter Cake

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I’ve been wanting to make a bird’s nest cake for a while now so I whipped up a little chocolate cake, some chocolate buttercream and some of my favorite, Easter candies. Super easy and pretty cute, if you ask me! But I’m not sure if it’s a mini-cake or a mega-cupcake!! What do you think?

Some Tips and Pointers

• I cut down a small cake layer to make my nest but it’s MUCH faster to use a donut mold!
• I used malted chocolates as they are larger than the mini chocolate eggs and fill the nest better.
• If you don’t want to pile all the little chocolate tubes for the nest just cover in buttercream then pat on toasted coconut for a similar effect.
• No buttermilk? Add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to whole milk. Mix and set aside for a few minutes then use in the batter.
• The coffee is optional. GO ahead and use water if preferred.

Let’s Go Over the Steps!

Cut the cake down into a nest shape.

Cover cake in buttercream and smooth.  Pipe the “twigs” with a #4 tip. You can also use shaved chocolate, spin sugar or even toasted coconut.

Place eggs in the nest. Pile them high and

If you’ve tried this treat then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

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Bird's Nest Easter Cake

Moist chocolate cake covered in a rich chocolate buttercream and topped with a gaggle of chocolate eggs. Perfect for an Easter treat.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 4 cakes

Calories 169 kcal

Author John Kanell

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder not dutch processed
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil, or melted coconut oil
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup freshly brewed strong, hot coffee

For the Frosting

• 2 sticks unsalted butter room temperature
• 5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 5-6 tbsp heavy cream
• 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1/2-3/4 tsp salt to taste
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate melted and cooled

Instructions

For the Cake

1. Butter and flour 6 four inch pans. (You can use larger pans and just cut the cakes down to size if you don't have 4 inch pans.) Preheat oven to 350F.

2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and soda.

3. Beat the eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla together in a separate bowl.

4. Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix until just combined. Stir in the hot coffee last.

5. Distribute the batter evenly to the pans. and bake for about 25 minutes or until the centers are baked.

For the Buttercream

1. Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Mix in the confectioners' sugar, cream, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt and melted chocolate. 

For the Assembly

1. Cut the cake down into a nest shape. Cover with buttercream and smooth. Pipe "twigs" with a number 4 tip. Place the chocolate eggs in the nest and serve.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• I cut down a small cake layer to make my nest but it's MUCH faster to use a donut mold!
• I used malted chocolates as they are larger than the mini chocolate eggs and fill the nest better.
• If you don't want to pile all the little chocolate tubes for the nest just cover in buttercream then pat on toasted coconut for a similar effect.
• No buttermilk? Add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to whole milk. Mix and set aside for a few minutes then use in the batter.
• The coffee is optional. GO ahead and use water if preferred.

Nutrition Facts

Bird's Nest Easter Cake

Amount Per Serving (0.5 nest)

Calories 169 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 12g 18%

Saturated Fat 5g 25%

Cholesterol 34mg 11%

Sodium 198mg 8%

Potassium 68mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 37g 12%

Dietary Fiber 0.5g 2%

Sugars 12g

Protein 6g 12%

Vitamin A 1%

Calcium 2%

Iron 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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