Hilda Gerbrandt has been making Easter treats with her family for years—sharing simple steps, meaningful stories, and of course, plenty of sugar. Whether you’re gathering around the kitchen island with your grandkids or looking for an easy, no-bake option to bring to your church potluck, Hilda’s “Easter Nests” and “Resurrection Rolls” are both fun to make and full of Easter symbolism.
Easter Nests: A treat with meaning
Gerbrandt shares her take on “Easter Nests,” a sweet twist on classic Rice Krispie treats that are fun to make and require no baking.
“You make the base the same way you would Rice Krispie treats, but instead of pressing it into a pan, you form it into small balls,” explains Gerbrandt. “Once they’ve cooled just a little, you press your thumb into the center to shape a nest.”
Each nest is then filled with coconut—dyed green to resemble grass—and topped with three mini eggs.
“I always use three mini eggs,” she shares. “There’s so much symbolism in the number three—Father, Son, Holy Spirit, or even the three crosses. It’s a great conversation starter with kids or grandkids about the Easter story.”
Gerbrandt recommends wetting your hands slightly when forming the nests to prevent sticky fingers. “It’s a little trick that makes shaping so much easier—just dampen your hands with cold water and go from there!”
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No-bake fun for the whole family
Best of all? These nests are simple and require no oven time—just a stovetop for melting marshmallows.
“This is a great one to do with kids because you’re not worrying about hot ovens or complicated steps,” says Gerbrandt. “Plus, it’s just plain fun!”
Resurrection Rolls: A deeper message
Gerbrandt introduced us to “Resurrection Rolls,” a recipe that combines gooey sweetness with a powerful Easter message.
“These are made with refrigerated crescent roll dough, a marshmallow, cinnamon sugar, and melted butter,” says Gerbrandt. “But what’s neat is that the marshmallow represents Jesus—and once baked, it ‘disappears’ inside the bun, just like the empty tomb.”
To make them, dip each marshmallow in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar. Wrap it tightly in crescent roll dough, making sure to seal it well. “Seal those edges tight,” Gerbrandt warns. “Otherwise, the marshmallow will ooze out and make a mess!”
Bake them on parchment paper, in a muffin tin, or using silicone cups for easy cleanup.
A delicious way to celebrate
While these recipes are undeniably sweet and easy to whip up, Gerbrandt reminds us they’re also meaningful.
“These treats are a fun way to share the Easter story—whether you’re making them with your kids, grandkids, or just treating yourself,” she says with a smile. “It’s about creating memories, and maybe sparking a little conversation along the way.”
With Easter Sunday falling on April 20 and Good Friday on April 18, there's still plenty of time to get creative in the kitchen—and share a sweet, meaningful moment with those you love.