Easter nest biscuits

Method
Prep:15min  ›  Cook:20min  ›  Extra time:25min  ›  Ready in:1hr 

1. Preheat oven to 170 C / Gas 3. Grease baking trays or line with baking parchment.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla, then gradually beat in the dry ingredients.
3. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls, then roll the balls in the coconut. Place them 5cm apart onto the prepared trays. Press 1 mini egg or chocolate covered almond into the centre of each biscuit.
4. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven, then remove from the oven and press 2 more mini eggs into the centre of each biscuit. Return to the oven to continue baking for another 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

For coloured nests

Divide the coconut into three separate containers. Colour one portion red, one yellow, and leave one plain. I like to colour the coconut by placing it into a jar with the food coloring. Just close the lid and shake until colored. Then toss the colored coconut together with the plain, and roll the dough in the coconut as above.

Tip

To avoid the possibility of the mini eggs cracking in the oven whilst baking, make an indent for the nests and then add the eggs after baking, gluing to the biscuits with a little icing or melted white or plain chocolate.