Easter is one of those holidays that naturally brings everyone into the kitchen. Between brunch, baskets, and egg hunts, it’s the perfect time to make something festive and easy to share. These Easter Egg Pastry Nests were inspired by the season itself: simple, colorful, and perfect for gathering around the table.
Using a Butter Braid® Raspberry Pastry as the base, this recipe turns flaky pastry and creamy vanilla filling into individual “nests” that are just right for topping with chocolate eggs, jelly beans, or fresh berries. They work beautifully for Easter brunch or as a fun, spring dessert, and they’re a great option if you want something that looks thoughtful without requiring a lot of overly complicated steps. This recipe celebrates spring in a way that’s approachable, shareable, and perfect for the whole family.
Materials Needed
- Small bowl
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutter or knife
- Muffin tin
- Pastry brush
- Chilled bowl
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Piping bag
Storage Information
These Easter Egg Pastry Nests are best when served on the same day as they are made. You can place them in the refrigerator up to 3 hours before serving. Wait to add the toppings until right before serving, so they stay fresh.
The vanilla cream filling can be made ahead of time and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Tips for Making Easter Egg Pastry Nests
- Instead of spraying your muffin tin with cooking spray, you can use parchment paper to line the muffin tins; this can help the nests release from the tin more easily.
- You’ll ensure a crisper, more buttery pastry shell if you wait to fill them until just before serving.
- Make it a family affair! Kids will love helping you decorate the nests with various candies and sprinkles. It’s a great way to get everyone in a very “hoppy” mood.
Easter Egg Pastry Nests
Course: Dessert, BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Moderate12
servings240
kcal12
Ingredients
- Pastry Nests:
1 Butter Braid® Raspberry Pastry
3 tbsp. melted butter
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- Vanilla Cream Filling:
1 c. heavy whipping cream, cold
1/2 c. mascarpone or softened cream cheese
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Decorations (Optional but Adorable)
Mini chocolate eggs
Jelly beans
Toasted shredded coconut
Fresh berries
Mint leaves or edible flowers
Directions
- Prepare the Pastry
- Remove the Butter Braid® Pastry from the packaging and set it out to thaw for 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Unbraid the thawed pastry and remove the filling. Place the filling in a small bowl and set it aside. Gently roll out the dough slightly.
- Using a cookie cutter or knife, cut the dough into 12 equal squares or circles.
- Press each piece of dough into a greased muffin tin, shaping it like a little nest.
- Prick the bottoms of the dough with a fork. This will ensure the pastry dough doesn’t puff up too much.
- Spoon a little raspberry filling into each nest.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake 12-15 minutes, or until golden and slightly puffed.
- Cool completely before filling.
- Make the Vanilla Cream Filling
- In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with a stand mixer or hand mixer until soft peaks form.
- Add mascarpone (or cream cheese), powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Beat just until smooth and fluffy. Do not overmix. Stop once it is thick and pliable.
- Assemble the Nests
- Fill a piping bag with the vanilla cream. Pipe the cream into the cooled pastry nests.
- Top with mini chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and/or berries.
- Sprinkle toasted coconut around the edges of the nests for a more natural, “twig” look.
- Garnish with mint or edible flowers if you’re feeling fancy!
Tips for Making Christmas Tree Pastries
- Instead of spraying your muffin tin with cooking spray, you can use parchment paper to line the muffin tins; this can help the nests release from the tin more easily.
- You’ll ensure a crisper, more buttery pastry shell if you wait to fill them until just before serving.
- Make it a family affair! Kids will love helping you decorate the nests with various candies and sprinkles. It’s a great way to get everyone in a very “hoppy” mood.
- Storage Information: Easter Egg Pastry Nests are best when served on the same day as they are made. You can place them in the refrigerator up to 3 hours before serving. Wait to add the toppings until right before serving. The vanilla cream filling can be made ahead of time and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for 2 days.
