Delightful Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups: Your Ultimate Spring Treat Recipe
Looking for an irresistibly fun and festive treat to brighten up your Easter gathering? These charming Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups are exactly what you need! Imagine soft, delicious sugar cookie dough, perfectly baked in a muffin tin to create a delightful cup. Each cup is then generously filled with creamy vanilla frosting, topped with vibrant green-tinted coconut “grass,” and adorned with colorful M&M eggs. The result is an adorable, edible bird’s nest that’s not only incredibly cute but also a wonderfully delicious way to celebrate spring! (A special thank you to Truvia for sponsoring this post and helping us make these treats extra special.)
Can you believe how quickly Easter has arrived this year? It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating Christmas, and now spring is in full bloom, bringing with it the joyous spirit of Easter. With the season of renewal upon us, it’s the perfect time to start planning those special meals and, of course, those adorable, crowd-pleasing desserts that truly capture the essence of spring. These Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups are a testament to that spirit – bright, colorful, and utterly delightful.
This past weekend was a bit of a whirlwind for me. I was out in Arizona for a conference (which you’ll definitely be hearing more about, whether you like it or not, haha!) and made the long drive home on Sunday. And guess what? I’m heading right back this Thursday with my husband and boys. Yes, that means another 12 hours in the car! While the drive from California to Arizona isn’t terrible, the last two hours always seem to stretch on forever. I suppose that’s just part of any road trip adventure, right?
Speaking of my boys, you know I have two energetic 4-year-olds at the moment. The older one is set to turn five on April Fool’s Day! It sounds bad, but I haven’t made any concrete plans for his birthday yet. Honestly, with each child, I feel like I’ve become increasingly scattered when it comes to documenting milestones – photos, birthdays, even the tooth fairy… especially the tooth fairy!
I’ve been playfully thinking it would be perfectly acceptable to make some of these adorable Easter sugar cookie cups and maybe stick a single candle in one for him to blow out, instead of baking a whole cake. What do you think of that idea? Haha! I’m only half-kidding, of course! (mostly kidding, anyway 😉)
All kidding aside, these sugar cookie cups are undeniably cute and wonderfully festive. I have a genuine love for brightly colored desserts, and these simply scream “spring” to me. The vibrant green coconut, cleverly arranged to resemble grass, is just too much fun. And let’s be honest, who can resist the classic combination of a soft, buttery sugar cookie paired with rich, creamy buttercream frosting? It’s a match made in dessert heaven, elevated by the whimsical Easter nest design. The individual serving size makes them perfect for parties, ensuring everyone gets their own little piece of Easter joy without the fuss of slicing a cake.
Baking with Truvia: A Healthier Twist on a Classic
You know how much I adore Truvía, right? It’s become a staple in my kitchen for so many recipes. Naturally, when developing these delightful cookie cups, I simply had to incorporate the Truvía Baking Blend in place of traditional sugar. This allows for a fantastic reduction in sugar and calories without compromising on the sweet, satisfying flavor we all crave in a sugar cookie. Truvía Baking Blend measures cup-for-cup like sugar, making it incredibly easy to substitute in your favorite recipes, and it performs beautifully, resulting in perfectly tender and flavorful cookies every time. So, maybe we should call these “Truvía cookie cups”? LOL!
Whether you choose to call them Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups or Truvía Cookie Cups, one thing is for sure: they are an absolutely fantastic way to celebrate the arrival of spring and the joy of Easter. They bring a burst of color and a smile to everyone’s face, making them a memorable addition to any holiday table. And hey, if you’re in a pinch and need a quick birthday treat that’s a little out of the ordinary, these could definitely stand in for a traditional birthday cake too! Just add a candle, and you’ve got a personalized, adorable celebration confection. These treats are not just for kids; adults will equally appreciate their charm and deliciousness.
Tips for Perfect Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups
Making these adorable cookie cups is straightforward, but a few tips can help ensure they turn out absolutely perfect:
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Perfectly Shaped Cups: After pressing the dough into the muffin tin, use the back of a small spoon or a shot glass to gently press down the center of the baked cookie while it’s still warm. This creates a deeper “nest” for your frosting and toppings. Be gentle, as the cookies are soft when hot.
- Cool Completely: Ensure your cookie cups are completely cooled before attempting to remove them from the muffin tin and before adding the frosting. This prevents them from breaking and allows the frosting to set properly.
- Vibrant Green Coconut: For the green coconut “grass,” use a plastic resealable bag. Add the shredded coconut and a few drops of green food coloring, then seal and shake vigorously until the color is evenly distributed. Start with a few drops and add more if you want a deeper shade.
- Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Decoration Fun: Get creative with your “eggs”! While M&M eggs are a classic choice, small jelly beans, robin’s egg candies, or even small chocolate eggs work wonderfully. You can also use different colors of coconut for a multi-colored nest effect.
Variations to Try
While the classic vanilla sugar cookie with green coconut and M&M eggs is undeniably charming, feel free to experiment with these variations:
- Lemon Zest Cookies: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to your cookie dough for a bright, citrusy flavor that’s perfect for spring.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace the vanilla buttercream with a tangy cream cheese frosting for a delightful flavor contrast.
- Chocolate Nests: Use chocolate sugar cookie dough and top with chocolate frosting, then sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles or crushed chocolate candies for a rich twist.
- Spring Sprinkles: Instead of or in addition to M&M eggs, sprinkle pastel-colored sprinkles over the green coconut for extra festivity.
- Nut-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are nut-free if serving to guests with allergies. The recipe as written is typically nut-free, but always check your candy labels.
Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
Cookie Cups:
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. Truvia Baking Blend or 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 3 Tbsp. milk
Frosting Filling:
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup butter softened
Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- green food coloring
- Egg shaped candies
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly coat a standard muffin tin with cooking spray, ensuring each cup is covered, and then set it aside.
-
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and Truvia Baking Blend (or sugar) until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Finally, add the milk and mix until the dough comes together.
-
Take approximately 2 tablespoons of cookie dough for each cup. Roll the dough into a smooth ball. Press each ball into a prepared muffin cup, gently spreading the dough evenly across the bottom and about three-quarters of the way up the sides, forming a small cup shape. Repeat this process with the remaining muffin cups and dough.
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. Remove from oven and let cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
-
While the cookie cups are cooling, prepare your green coconut “grass.” In a plastic ziploc bag, combine the shredded coconut with a few drops of green food coloring. Seal the bag and toss it around until the coconut is evenly colored green. Add more food coloring if a darker shade is desired.
-
Prepare the frosting: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, blend together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and softened butter. Beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
-
Once the cookie cups are completely cooled, gently run a knife along the sides of each cup to loosen them, then carefully extract them from the muffin tin. Fill each cookie cup with a small spoonful of the prepared vanilla frosting. Sprinkle a generous amount of the green-tinted coconut on top of the frosting to create the “nest.” Finally, gently wedge 2 or 3 egg-shaped candies (like M&M eggs) into the coconut. Repeat this process for all the remaining sugar cookie cups. Serve these delightful Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups and enjoy the smiles they bring!
More Festive Easter and Spring Recipes to Enjoy
If you’ve enjoyed making these delightful Easter Nest Sugar Cookie Cups, you’ll surely love these other festive recipes perfect for the spring season and your holiday celebrations. They’re all easy to make and guaranteed to add extra cheer to your table!
Bunny Bait Snack Mix
This super delicious and easy Bunny Bait, also known as Easter Snack Mix, is a delightful blend of cereal, pretzels, crunchy peanuts, festive pastel M&M candies, and a luscious coating of white chocolate. It’s the perfect sweet and salty treat to munch on during Easter gatherings or to package up as cute gifts.
Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
Looking for a savory and fun treat to bring to an Easter party? This adorable carrot-shaped cheese ball is an absolute showstopper! It’s not only incredibly cute but also packed with flavor, making it a guaranteed winner for both its charming presentation and delicious taste. Serve it with crackers or vegetable sticks for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Easter Brunch Potato Casserole
This Easy Potato Casserole is the quintessential side dish for your Easter brunch or any family meal throughout the week. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, comforting, and always a hit. With its creamy texture and savory flavors, it perfectly complements any main course and is sure to be a beloved addition to your holiday spread.