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Turn your plain chocolate mousse into a fun and showy treat—these Easter chocolate nests are a total crowd-pleaser. They're perfect for spring celebrations or whenever you wanna wow your friends and family with something different.
Everybody asks for these every Easter now. When I first brought these cute little chocolate nests out for our family dinner, the kids' faces totally lit up. That made me want to keep the tradition going every year.
Ingredients
- For the shells: 200 grams of good dark or milk chocolate (at least 55% cocoa) to get sturdy nests—pick quality stuff for best results
- For the mousse: 6 eggs at room temp, makes your mousse super fluffy; 200 grams of dark chocolate (higher cocoa for deeper flavor); 60 grams soft butter, makes it extra creamy; 60 grams sugar (just add more or less to suit your taste)
- To decorate: Mini chocolate eggs in a bunch of colors and sizes to make them look extra tempting
Step-by-Step Directions
- Fold in the egg whites:
- Gently mix in about three-quarters of your whipped egg whites into the chocolate mix. Use a spatula and try not to knock out all the air.
- Whip the whites:
- Beat those egg whites till they're stiff and glossy. They should keep their shape if you lift your whisk.
- Add the yolks:
- Stir your egg yolks into the butter-sugar mix until it's all smooth and creamy. Pour in your melted chocolate and combine gently.
- Split the eggs:
- Separate your eggs, making sure no yolk slips into your bowl of whites—keep the whites in something squeaky clean.
- Make the creamy base:
- Beat the rest of the butter with the sugar until it turns light and fluffy. This is key for mousse texture.
- Melt for the mousse:
- Melt the chocolate with half the butter over simmering water (bain-marie). Take off the heat and let it cool till it's just warm but still smooth.
- Set the shells:
- Let your chocolate-coated balloons chill out for at least 4 hours (stick to a cool room, not the fridge). Overnight works even better for really solid shells.
- Mold the nests:
- Dip each balloon halfway into the melted chocolate, let any extra drip off, then pop 'em on your chocolate circles. The chocolate should creep up the sides a little.
- Make the bases:
- Put down parchment on a tray and spoon out 6 chocolate circles (about 5 centimeters wide, space them out). These are your nest bases.
- Blow up balloons:
- Blow up 6 balloons to about the size of a small orange—not too big. Wipe them down with a damp towel to get rid of any dust.
- Melt for the shells:
- Melt your chocolate slow and gentle over a bain-marie, always stirring. Don't let the bowl touch the hot water or it might burn. Once it's fully melted, move it to a room temp bowl.
Good to Know
This one takes time but doesn't really need tricky cooking skills. The chocolate shells will keep for up to two weeks in a sealed container. You can make every part early, then put it all together right before serving.
My kid loves the part where we gently pop the balloons and peel off the shells. It's become our special Easter moment—and watching her smile when we reveal perfect nests is the best.
Keeping It Fresh
Your chocolate mousse will be fine in the fridge for up to two days. Wait until the very end to add the little eggs—they'll stay shiny and pretty that way. If you make the shells ahead, store them somewhere cool and dry in a lidded box at room temp.
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Tasty Twists
Switch things up by using milk chocolate for a milder, kid-friendly version. Wanna kick up the flavor? Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla or orange extract into your mousse. Feeling bold? Try a pinch of sea salt or mild chili in the chocolate for the shells—it adds a wild, tasty surprise!
Great Sides
Pair these nests with a handful of fresh berries for a pop of color and some tartness to lift the chocolate. Pour a little custard onto the plate for an extra bit of creamy goodness.
Pro Tricks
- Go for tempered chocolate if you want super glossy shells that pop off easily
- Work somewhere cool so your chocolate doesn't melt too fast while you're handling it
- Have an extra balloon ready just in case one goes pop while you're working
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I make chocolate shells?
Melt the chocolate using a water bath method, inflate small balloons, and dip them into the melted mixture. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and leave them to set for several hours.
- → Can I swap chocolate types?
Absolutely! Milk chocolate or even white chocolate can work if you'd like to experiment with flavors.
- → What's the prep time for this dessert?
You'll need roughly 1 hour to put it together, plus about 4 hours or overnight for the shells to chill and set.
- → How can I nail the chocolate mousse?
Make sure your melted chocolate has cooled down a bit before mixing it with the yolks. Add the whites gently to keep their airy texture intact.
- → What are fun ways to decorate the nests?
Add colorful chocolate eggs, chocolate shavings, or even fresh fruits like raspberries for an extra festive touch.