It’s officially Mini Egg season

We’ve reached mini egg season, baby! The shelves are lined with those speckled little chocolate beauties and that’s the real first sign that spring is on its way in my opinion. Forget about the daffodils because it’s all about the eggs.

There’s just something about spotting those yellow packets that makes everything feel lighter. Longer days, brighter mornings and an excuse to bake something wildly colourful and indulgent.


My take on the viral sensation

I’ve been seeing mini egg cookies absolutely EVERYWHERE lately and I’m absolutely obsessed. Why sit and eat a bag straight from the sofa (no judgement, I’ve been there) when you can fold them into everything you love? Cakes, brownies, ice cream, cookies…honestly, where does it stop?

Mini eggs bring crunch, colour and that nostalgic chocolate flavour that instantly makes anything feel like a proper seasonal treat.


There’s a secret ingredient…

Now, these cookies are already extra special, but we’re taking it up a notch and adding a little secret weapon: malt powder.

It gives this subtle toasty, almost caramelised flavour that makes the chocolate taste deeper and richer. Texture-wise, it helps create that soft middle with slightly crisp edges. It’s not overpowering, but it adds that bakery-style sophistication that makes you go back for another one. And then another. 


Better than shop-bought?

I do need to give M&S credit for bringing mini egg cookies back onto my radar, but this is my take. And I’ve got to say, these speckled babies are incredible and you should give them a go. Do they beat shop-bought?!

Plus, the beauty of making them yourseld is that you can control the mini egg-to-dough ratio. You can make them thicker, chunkier, more loaded or just however you like.

They’re also typically more cost-effective than buying bakery versions, and they’re such a great activity to do with kids. Colourful, messy, chocolate everywhere, it’s the perfect weekend activity that results in you getting a treat too. 


Easter treats all round

If you’re spending Easter with family or hosting a full-on feast, these need to be on the table for afters. They look the part, taste unreal and feel properly celebratory.

And they are elite when dunked into a hot chocolate made from your stash of Easter eggs. Because you’re never too old to receive an Easter egg…or to absolutely dominate an Easter egg hunt. I do get slightly competitive, to be honest. Something I’m working on.


FAQs

Can I use a different chocolate instead of mini eggs?

I mean yes, but I’m surprised you got far enough down this recipe to wonder that 😂. However, you can swap in chopped chocolate bars, chocolate chips, Smarties or even white chocolate chunks. But you will lose that signature crunch and speckled Easter look. 


What does malt powder actually do in the cookies?

Malt powder adds a subtle toasted, almost biscuity depth of flavour. It enhances the chocolate and gives the cookies a slightly richer taste without making them overly sweet. It also contributes to that soft, chewy texture in the centre.


Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes. You can chill the dough in the fridge for up to 48 hours before baking. In fact, chilling can sometimes help deepen the flavour and improve the texture.


Can I freeze these cookies?

You can freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, but just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.


How do I keep them soft?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them extra soft, pop a slice of bread in the container as it helps retain moisture. Weird I know, but seems to work! 

Mini egg cookies

By Poppy Cooks

https://www.poppycooks.com/recipes/mini-egg-cookies/

We're taking on the viral Easter treat- Mini egg cookies. But there's a little secret ingredient in this batch too...
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 16 mins
Total Time: 36 mins
Serves Makes 18-20 cookies

Ingredients

Metric Imperial

    Metric

  • 125g softened butter
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 150g light brown soft sugar
  • 3 tbsp malt powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 275g plain flour
  • 100g white chocolate chunks
  • 150g mini eggs, bashed with a rolling pin
  • Imperial

  • 4.5oz softened butter
  • 3.5oz caster sugar
  • 5oz light brown soft sugar
  • 3 tbsp malt powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 10oz all purpose flour
  • 3.5oz white chocolate chunks
  • 150g mini eggs, bashed with a rolling pin

Instructions

  1. Tip the butter and sugars into the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Break in the eggs one by one and beat until combined, then spoon in the malt powder and vanilla.
  2. Spoon the baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and flour into the bowl with a pinch of salt. Combine on a low speed until just incorporated before adding the white chocolate chunks and 2/3rd's of the mini eggs into the bowl too.
  3. Once everything is mixed together, use an ice cream scoop (or a large spoon) to make balls of dough. Pop them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and press a few pieces of reserved mini egg on top. Place into the fridge for 1 hour to firm up.
  4. Preheat the oven to 170ºc fan/190ºc/375ºf. Spread the cookie dough balls out on baking sheets and bake for 17-18 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. Leave to cool slightly on the tray before transferring to a wire rack.
  5. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  6. If you're freezing the cookie dough, you can spoon balls of raw dough straight into a parchment lined tub and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 160ºc fan/180ºc/320ºf for 22-24 minutes.

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