This lovely Spring weather we’re having (today, at least) reminds me that Easter is on it’s way. And you know what that means…?
CHOCOALTE. Lot’s and lot’s of chocolate.
For this reason, I was eager to begin celebrations early and have turned to an old favourite: Chocolate Easter Egg Nests!
These ones, however, are a slightly healthier twist on the classic and are raw, vegan and gluten-free.
📖 Recipe
Raw Chocolate Easter Nests (Vegan)
Yield:
10
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Additional Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour
These chocolate nests make a great sweet treat all by themselves or with the marzipan "eggs". They taste just like American Almond Joy bars or Bounty bars with a hint of almond. Delicious! Raw, Vegan and Gluten-free.
Ingredients
For the chocolate nests
- 100 g coconut oil
- 3 tbsp agave or sweetener of choice
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 50 g desiccated coconut
- 50 g coconut flakes
- 50 g flaked almonds
For the raw marzipan eggs
- 25 g ground almonds
- 3 tbsp agave or sweetener of choice
- Natural food colouring, I used spirulina powder, turmeric and dried strawberry powder
- Optional: 1 tsp cocoa powder and 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Melt the the coconut oil on a low heat and mix with the agave and cocoa powder to form a chocolate sauce.
- In a large bowl, combine the desiccated coconut, coconut flakes and almond flakes. Pour over the chocolate sauce and stir until everything is completely coated. Place the bowl in the fridge for about 5 minutes to let the chocolate cool and the mixture to thicken slightly.
- Divide the mixture into 8 cupcake cases (about 2 tbsp in each case) and then form into a nest shape with the back of a spoon or your thumb.
- Place in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes.
- To make the marzipan: mix the ground almonds and agave in a food processor until it becomes dense and balls together. Don't over mix or it will release too much oil. Add more honey if needed, until the mixture resembles marzipan and can be shaped like a dough.
- Split into 3 portions and mix the various food colourings in separately. I used ⅓ tsp spirulina powder to make green, ⅓ tsp turmeric to make yellow and 1 tsp dried strawberry powder to make pink.
- Roll the marzipan into a small ball then press into an egg shape. Leave in the fridge to firm up.
- Optional: Make the chocolate speckled effect by mixing the cocoa powder and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Dip a clean paintbrush (not used on paint!) into the chocolate and gently tap on top of the marzipan eggs to create specks of chocolate. Return to the fridge to set.
Nutrition Information
Yield 10 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 224Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 0mgSodium 74mgCarbohydrates 17gFiber 2gSugar 12gProtein 3g
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Well, Aimee, this is officially the first easter recipe I’ve seen on a blog … congratulations!! These are genius. I always loved the naughty chocolate ones, so it’s a great idea to make a healthier version. I bet they taste beautiful with all that coconut goodness in!
Aimee says
Haha I know, I got in a little early! Thanks Helen :-)
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
These are adorable – and so perfect for Easter! It motivates me to start thinking about Easter recipes!
Aimee says
Look forward to seeing what you make for Easter, Kristi!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
These are adorable and so healthy – love the marzipan eggs, love your natural food coloring choices!
Aimee says
Thanks Shashi :-) I was pretty shocked how well the food colouring turned out… I love the pastel colours they created!
Kate says
These are great. I love the combination of ingredients. Delicious…. AND healthy! Chocolate, coconut and nuts all in one place. Doesn’t get better than that!
Aimee says
Thanks Kate :-) The taste really reminds me of bounty bars… very moreish!
Monica says
These are adorable! I love that you went to the extra effort of making marizpan eggs – they turned out great. I would have naturally taken a shortcut with those chocolate Cadbury eggs. :) Lovely paper liners too.
Aimee says
Thanks Monica :-) I was so tempted to use the cadbury eggs after my chocolate mini eggs failure but I’m glad I went with the marzipan, they make a nice change!