Salted Caramel Chow Mein Bird’s Nest

These chow mein noodle bird’s nest have been around as long as I can remember.  When Spring appears and Easter is around the corner these nest start making appearances.  They are so cute, delicious, filled with colorful eggs and scream spring.

I know there are a multitude of varieties floating around out there; some just like rice krispie treats but with the chow mein noodles instead of the rice krispie cereal, some coated in a combination of peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch, and some coated in the white candy bark.  The options and variations are endless.

I opted for a variation that more resembles the classic rice krispie treats.  While I LOVE my chocolate, this kind is my favorite.  Simple, light and packed with delicious marshmallows.  Instead of the traditional butter and marshmallow combination, I decided to twist things up and make a salted caramel mixture to coat those crunchy noodles.  Yum.  Right?

These are so simple to make, and please to be afraid of the word caramel in the title, it’s easier than you think.  Along with being simple, these only require a few simple ingredients that are probably staples in your pantry (assuming you have chow mein noodles in your pantry).  So this is a win win. 

And if you like to play with your food, then this is definitely the recipe for you.  Coat your hands, heavily, in shortening to avoid the caramel marshmallow mixture from sticking to your hands.  And as an added bonus, you’ll have super soft and smooth hands once you’re done!  Then end result are some super cute, delicious salted caramel nests that are filled with colorful Easter candy!

So what are you waiting for?  Head on in your kitchen and made these for your family, your kid’s class party or your Easter celebration.  Whatever you do, just make sure you make these!

Salted Caramel Bird’s Nest

Ingredients:


4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 Cup light brown sugar
2 Tbsp heavy cream
3 Tsp corn syrup
1 Tsp coarse salt
3 Cups mini marshmallows
3 1/2-4 Cup chow mein noodles
54 Egg shaped candies

Directions:


Pour 3 1/2 cups of the chow mein noodles in a large, heat proof bowl.  Line a work surface with wax paper. 

Place butter in a large saucepan and place over low heat and allow to melt.  Once the butter has melted add the sugar, cream and corn syrup and cook over medium-low heat until the mixture has thickened, stirring frequently.  Once the mixture has thickened, add the salt and stir to combine.  Remove from heat and add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted and incorporated. 

Pour the mixture over the noodles and stir to combine.  If the mixture seems a little too gooey add the remaining noodles and stir to combine.  Once all the noodles are completely coated in the marshmallow mixture, coat your hands in shortening (not butter).  Take golf ball sized portions of the noodles and from into nests, set on the wax paper and continue the process, reapplying the shortening as needed. 

Once the nests are set, place egg shaped candies in each nest.

Yields approximately 18 nests.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original