Bird Nesting Cupcakes

By MJH

What better way to welcome spring than with these bird nest cupcakes. They're not only adorable, they're delicious, too!

Ingredients

• Mint Meringue Kisses recipe
• Blue food coloring
• 12 ounces slivered almonds
• Simple White Cupcakes with Creamy Frosting recipe
• Piping bag
• 1/2-inch round decorating tip
• Parchment paper
• Cookie sheet
• Small piece of a milk chocolate bar
• Waxed paper
• Toothpick

Preparation

Step 1

Prep the meringue birds according to the directions in the Mint Meringue Kisses recipe, but replace the mint extract with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Add 2 to 3 drops of blue food coloring to achieve a light shade of blue.
Use a 1/2-inch round decorating tip to pipe the meringue in teardrop shapes onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

Bake the meringue according to the recipe directions.

Spread 12 ounces of slivered almonds out onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet; toast the almonds at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes or until the almonds are golden brown.

Make the Simple White Cupcakes and Creamy Frosting according to the recipe directions.
Pipe a ring of Creamy Frosting around the top of the cupcake with a 1/2-inch round decorating tip.

Roll the frosted cupcakes in the slivered almonds to form the nest.
Pipe a small mound of icing in the center of the cupcake and place a meringue bird on top.

Use a dab of icing to attach a small piece of slivered almond for the beak.
Place a square of chocolate onto a piece of waxed paper and microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds or until melted.
Use a toothpick to add dots of melted chocolate for the eyes.