• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to content
Preppy Kitchen logo
  • About
    • Meet John Kanell
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Breads
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Casseroles
    • Instant Pot
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Holiday
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Press
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Follow us on

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Holiday » Bird’s Nest Easter Cake

    Bird’s Nest Easter Cake

    Published: January 21, 2017 · Modified: Apr 3, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    A charming and delicious chocolate bird's nest cake filled with candied eggs.

    A photo of a Bird’s Nest Easter Cake on a mini cake stand.
    3138 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    birds nest easter cake on a cake stand
    birds nest easter cake on a cake stand
    birds nest easter cake on a cake stand
    birds nest easter cake on a cake stand
    birds nest easter cake on a cake stand

    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!

    A photo showing a chocolate cake being carved into a nest shapeCut the cake down into a nest shape.A photo of a bird's nest cake covered in chocolate buttercream

    Cover cake in buttercream and smooth.  A photo of a bird's nest cake with the chocolate twigs being piped on.Pipe the “twigs” with a #4 tip. You can also use shaved chocolate, spin sugar or even toasted coconut.

    A photo of a bird's nest cake with the chocolate eggs being placed in the center

    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!

    Bird’s Nest Easter Cake
    Print
    4.67 from 3 votes

    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 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes minutes
    Servings 4 cakes
    Calories 169kcal
    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

    • 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.
    • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and soda.
    • Beat the eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla together in a separate bowl.
    • Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix until just combined. Stir in the hot coffee last.
    • Distribute the batter evenly to the pans. and bake for about 25 minutes or until the centers are baked.

    For the Buttercream

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

    For the Assembly

    • 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.

    Video

    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

    Serving: 0.5nest | Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.3mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!

    IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE TRY THESE OUT!

    Bunny Ear Cupcakes

    Bunny Butt Cake

    Bunny Butt Cupcakes

    Bird’s Nest Cookies

    The Cutest Easter Cake

     

    « Cheese Puffs
    Chocolate Truffles »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Avatar for LivLiv says

      July 20, 2017 at 11:30 pm

      5 stars
      WOW!!!

      Reply
    2. Avatar for K.K. says

      July 20, 2017 at 11:30 pm

      5 stars
      Pretty.

      Reply
    3. Avatar for Italian coffee makerItalian coffee maker says

      May 30, 2017 at 10:06 am

      4 stars
      Is there any cake which is not made of egg. I am vegetarian and don’t eat egg but I love cakes 🙂

      Reply
      • Avatar for JohnJohn says

        June 09, 2017 at 11:53 pm

        Hi There — From what my vegan friends tell me, you can substitute banana for eggs. I have no idea how it tastes. I am sure there are man vegan substitutes for eggs that you can find online. Thanks, John.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Preppy Kitchen!

    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

    Search

    Follow Us On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Preppy Kitchen Newsletter

    Sign up to receive recipes, recommendations and tips straight to your inbox!

    Buy My Book

    Preppy Kitchen Cookbook

    As Seen On

    As seen on Elle Décor, People, Food Network and more

    Top Recipes This Month

    • A stack of peanut butter cookies on a small wooden board

      Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

    • An Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie next to a glass of milk

      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    • An Espresso martini on a gray surface with coffee beans scattered around

      Espresso Martini

    • A photo of a vanilla cupcake on a cupcake stand with vanilla buttercream frosting beautifully piped on top.

      Buttercream Frosting

    • A plate with multiple cake pops on it with one with a bite taken out.

      Cake Pops

    • A cake stand with a slice of red velvet cake cut out and placed on a plate in front.

      Red Velvet Cake

    • photo of moist Vanilla Cupcakes in pink paper wrappers

      Moist Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

    • A group of pink macarons on a serving tray next to flowers

      Macaron Recipe

    • Lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on a green and white plate.

      Lemon Bars

    • A plate with a piece of brownie with a cup of milk and platter of brownies in the background.

      Brownie Recipe

    Footer

    As Seen On:

    Elle Décor, People, Country Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Woman's Day, forkly, Yummly, the Bump, Buzz Feed, Home and Family and New York magazine.

    The Brand

    • About John
    • Press

    Preppy Kitchen Logo

    Dessert Recipes

    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Pies
    • All Desserts

    Main Course Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • InstantPot
    • Soups
    • Salads

    COPYRIGHT © 2015–2023 PREPPY KITCHEN | PRIVACY POLICY

    3138 shares