Shredded wheat Easter nests

• Mixing bowl - A mixing bowl is an absolute essential for completing this recipe. We recommend this handy set of two that can be found at Amazon for just £4.99.
• Cupcake cases - This colourful multi-pack consists of 300 colourful ones. You can get it at Amazon for £7.99.

This is one of the best no-bake recipes for cooking with kids, as it's so fun and easy to put together.

• Make sure the melted chocolate is cool enough to touch – they'll love mixing it together with the shredded wheat and helping to put it into baking cases and shape it. Bonus points if anyone actually manages to wait until they're fully set before tucking in!
• Depending on the size of the nests, they'll usually take a couple of hours to set fully in the fridge, or you can leave them overnight.
• The finished Easter nests will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

Safety warning: If you're making this with Cadbury Mini Eggs, bear in mind that they can be a choking hazard, so they're not suitable for children under 4.

Shredded wheat Easter nests with golden syrup

This is perfect for a non-chocolate version of these yummy Easter nests!

• melt some golden syrup, butter and sugar in a pan
• mix into the shredded whether instead of chocolate – it'll hold the shredded wheat together.

Don't let the kids touch with their hands until the golden syrup has cooled down!

Shredded wheat Easter nests with marshmallows

Melted marshmallows also work well as a substitute for chocolate ...

First, make a double boiler:

• Fill your first saucepan or pot with a few inches of water. (This should be the larger of the two pots you'll use.)
• Next, place the second bowl or pot (in which the marshmallows will melt) into the pot with water. Make sure the bottom of the top pot does not touch the water.

Now melt your marshmallows:

• Grease the bottom of the top saucepan.
• Add the desired amount of marshmallows.
• Place on the burner, melting on low to medium heat.
• Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of water to the pan with the marshmallows.
• Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth, between five and seven minutes.
• Remove from the heat and use immediately or spoon into an air-tight container.

(You can also just use a single pan)

When your marshmallows are melted, mix them with the shredded wheat instead of chocolate or golden syrup and they should help get things nice and sticky! Again, be careful and makes sure the marshmallows are cooler to touch before letting the little ones get their fingers sticky.

More variation ideas:

• You can use all kinds of different cereal to make these yummy Easter nests. Shredded Wheat gives a great effect that looks like real twigs – but cornflakes or Rice Krispies are just as tasty. You can also experiment with different kinds of cereal, to see which makes the tastiest nests?
• Try using different kinds of mini eggs – some with sugar coating, some with caramel filling, etc.
• Instead of mini nests, you could try creating one giant nest? Super fun for the kids to decorate!
• If you're making a big batch, you could try making some with dark chocolate and some with white chocolate, to mix things up a bit.

For more Easter-themed cakes and bakes, browse the rest of our Easter baking recipes for kids .