Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. This step is crucial as you want the nests to bake evenly. While the oven warms up, line your baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring that the nests don’t stick.
In a large bowl, combine 14 oz. sweetened flaked coconut, 7 oz. sweetened condensed milk, and 1 tsp. almond extract. Stir the mixture thoroughly until everything is evenly incorporated. The goal is to coat the coconut well with the sweetened condensed milk, making it sticky.
Now, grab a mixing bowl and add 3 large egg whites along with 1/4 tsp. salt. Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to beat the egg whites until medium peaks form. This is vital for the texture of your nests, so keep an eye on them to avoid over-beating.
Once you have those lovely peaks, gently fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture. Be careful not to deflate the egg whites; you want to maintain that airiness. This folding technique will give your nests a delightful lightness.
Using an ice cream scoop (about 4 tbsp), scoop out portions of the mixture and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches of space between each one. With your thumb, gently press the center of each mound to create a slight indent, forming a nest shape.
Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 27 minutes. You’re looking for a golden brown hue on the edges. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent over-baking.
Once baked, remove the nests from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. It’s tempting to dive right in, but they need to set!
After they’ve cooled, melt 2 oz. chocolate candy melts according to the package instructions. Dip the bottoms of the nests into the melted chocolate, then place them back on parchment paper to dry. This chocolatey touch adds a delightful flavor to the nests.
Finally, fill each nest with your choice of candy coated chocolate Easter eggs or jelly beans. Top them off with a cute Peeps marshmallow chick for that festive finish. Enjoy your beautiful Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests!
