SO the kids have broken up for the Easter holidays and most only have one thing on their minds?

Chocolate!

And why not? With two weeks off school and the threat of snow (apparently) then there couldn’t be a better time to publish an Easter chocolate nest recipe for them.

Children just love them, and I’m also pretty sure it’s compulsory this time of year to make them. In fact, I’ll bet that in most families it’s a tradition.

But do watch out kids, grown-ups love eating them too, so it’s a good idea to make plenty and double up the recipe.

They can be made with minimal help, and parents can happily let their children make them by themselves – but be prepared for lots of messy hands, faces and dogs.

This is the perfect baking project for them during the Easter holidays, but a little help from mum is always needed when melting the chocolate on the hot hob and opening the big bag of chocolate mini eggs used for decorating and filling the crispy nests with colours full of the joys of spring.

Cornflakes are a popular choice, however chopped Shredded Wheat or Rice Krispies will work just as well in this very simple recipe.

The mixture can be spooned into brightly-coloured paper bun cases in bun or muffin tins, which will help hold the shape better.

Or you can make a giant table centrepiece nest filled with lots of mini eggs and fluffy chicks, being perfect for spring and/or Easter as the birds appear and start to collect their twigs to make nests or to remind us of Easter symbols of new beginnings, new life and renewed faith.

Try making your cornflake nests with a little golden syrup and a little melted butter added to the chocolate to make them extra special – but simply melting the chocolate without is an easy option and still makes them yummy with the sweetness from the mini eggs.

Before you all go off and get messy in the kitchen, let’s not forget, Easter is the most important time in the Christian calendar.

Easter forms part of Holy Week – celebrate and rejoice in the belief that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected from death and lives today.

With that final thought, Easter baking always plays a big part in my life and, hopefully, yours too.

Have a cracking Easter and don’t worry about the mess – it’s well worth the effort!

l Have you missed any of Baker Mike’s previous Friend In Need articles? If so, they can still be viewed on the Keighley News website at keighleynews.co.uk by clicking on the What’s On heading at the top of the homepage, then Food & Drink and finally Friends In Need. Here you will find all his past articles and recipes. So, why not take a look and get some inspiration for many more seasonal tasty treats you can rustle up in your kitchen to make even a rank amateur look like a star baker.