Chocolate Birds Nests

This is a light and fluffy little treat. You can decide the size and depth of them, but we like them about the size of a golf ball.

Here is the list of ingredients.

1 T unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 C sugar

2 egg whites

Filling

1/2 C whipping cream

2 T chocolate syrup (creme de cacao)

Preheat oven to 275. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Sift cocoa and 1 tablespoon of sugar together, set aside.

In a small bowl whisk egg whites until stiff and dry-looking. Gradually whisk in remaining sugar until thick and glossy, then carefully fold in cocoa mixture. 

Using a pastry bag with decorative tip, pipe circles about 1 inch apart.  Start in the center and work to the edge to form bottom. Pipe on top of the outside edge to form nest.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours until dry; cool.

In a small bowl, whip whipping cream and chocolate syrup(I don't usually keep creme de cacao around so I just use Hersheys chocolate syrup) until thick. Pipe into the nest and decorate with whatever you want. I like fruit, especially strawberries or raspberries. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.  They do keep for a couple of days, but usually don't last that long.