Easter time always brings out the creative side of me. I think it’s the change in season and the freshness in the air.

I love simple, non fussy cake toppers for cakes, and this one is super easy and can be made ahead of time. It will even make a pretty place setting on the Easter table, if you’d like to make smaller ones.

Happy Easter!

150g melted dark chocolate

100g vermicelli rice noodles

oil for frying

Speckled eggs for decorating

Prepare a shallow bowl with kitchen towel for the fried noodles.

Line a small ‘nest’ shaped bowl with clingfilm.

Heat the oil to 180º C .When you put a small piece of bread in the oil, it should bubble around the bread if it’s up to temperature.

Break the noodles into smaller pieces, loosening the strands, so they are not together.

Place small amounts of noodles into the hot oil and fry for about 15 to 20 seconds at a time. The noodles will puff up. Remove from oil and place in the bowl lined with kitchen towel.

When all the noodles have been fried off, allow them to cool for a few minutes.

Cover the noodles in melted chocolate and coat well.

Place the covered noodles in the prepared bowl and spread them out to resemble a nest.

Allow to set for at least 30 minutes, before unmolding.

The nests keep in an airtight container for up to a week and make a yummy treat if you make smaller ones.

Chocolate Vermicilli Nests

• 150g melted dark chocolate
• 100g vermicelli rice noodles
• oil for frying
• Speckled eggs to decorate

1. Prepare a shallow bowl with kitchen towel for the fried noodles.
2. Line a small ‘nest’ shaped bowl with clingfilm
3. Heat the oil to 180ºC . When you put a small piece of bread in the oil, it should bubble around the bread if it’s up to temperature.
4. Break the noodles into smaller pieces, loosening the strands, so they are not together.
5. Place small amounts of noodles into the hot oil and fry for about 15 to 20 seconds at a time. The noodles will puff up. Remove from oil and place in the bowl lined with kitchen towel.
6. When all the noodles have been fried off, allow them to cool for a few minutes.
7. Cover the noodles in melted chocolate and coat well.
8. Place the covered noodles in the prepared bowl and spread them out to resemble a nest.
9. Allow to set for at least 30 minutes, before unmolding.
10. The nests keep in an airtight container for up to a week and make a yummy treat if you make smaller ones.