Description
These White Chocolate Mini Cheeseball Easter Nests are a delightful and festive no-bake treat perfect for celebrating Easter. Creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixed with mini white chocolate chips is shaped into bite-sized balls, rolled in coconut for a snowy coating, and formed into nests. Each nest is then filled with colorful mini eggs, making them both delicious and visually charming. Ready in just 40 minutes, these cheeseball nests are an easy and crowd-pleasing dessert for spring gatherings.
Ingredients
Cheeseball Mixture
- 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup mini white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating and Decoration
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- Mini chocolate eggs (approximately 30 to 40 for filling nests)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add Mini White Chocolate Chips: Fold in the mini white chocolate chips evenly into the cream cheese mixture, distributing them throughout for bursts of sweetness in every bite.
- Form Cheeseballs: Using two heaping tablespoons, scoop portions of the cream cheese mixture and place each directly into the bowl of shredded coconut.
- Coat with Coconut: Roll and cover the cream cheese portion thoroughly with shredded coconut, then shape it roughly into a ball. The coconut coating adds texture and a festive look.
- Repeat Scooping and Coating: Continue scooping, coating, and shaping until all the cream cheese mixture is used and you have multiple coconut-coated cheeseballs.
- Chill the Cheeseballs: Arrange the cheeseballs on a plate, cover them, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until they are fully chilled and firm.
- Create the Nests: Remove the chilled cheeseballs from the refrigerator. Using your fingers, gently press a larger dent into the center of each ball to form a ‘nest’ shape.
- Fill with Mini Eggs: Place three mini chocolate eggs into the dent of each cheeseball nest, completing the festive look and adding extra sweetness.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smooth texture.
- Use shredded sweetened coconut for a sweeter flavor, or unsweetened for a less sweet option.
- Mini chocolate eggs can be substituted with small candy-coated chocolates or jelly beans if preferred.
- Store these cheeseball nests refrigerated and consume within 3-5 days for the best freshness.
- The recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always verify ingredient labels if you have strict dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
