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Saturday, December 5, 2009

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Taste Test: Milk Chocolate Easter Bunnies

After trying a bevy of the grocery-store brands, we fell in love with one, and two others also hopped into the winner's circle.

For many of us, it's just not Easter without a chocolate bunny in our basket. With all the options in the supermarket, we wanted to find a hollow milk chocolate bunny that would satisfy both kids and adults—without breaking the bank (this isn't the year for $100 mail-order bunnies). We purchased eight brands, with and without foil. All are available at drugstores or supermarkets, with the exception of Godiva (sold online or at its boutique stores). Prices ranged from $3.29 to $23.50.

Methodology: In the blind taste test, nine judges compared the appearance, flavor, and consistency of the bunnies. We then ranked them according to the standard Epicurious four-fork rating system. One Epi Top Pick emerged from the group, earning a three-and-a-half-fork rating.

Best Overall

Epi Top Pick: Lindt Milk Chocolate Bunny ($4.89 per 4 oz. bunny)

Pros: Dressed in intensely yellow-gold foil and a red bow, this bunny is as elegant as it is tasty. One tester likened its pleasant scent to sweetened condensed milk. Its flavor is "delightfully creamy!" as one taster put it. "It just melts in your mouth," commented another editor. "Tastes like good European chocolate with a subtle accent of caramel," stated another. It just so happens that it's also the least expensive of the winners.

Cons: None. We can only say good things.

 

First Runner-Up: Hershey's Bliss Milk Chocolate Bunny ($4.99 per 4 oz. bunny)

Pros: "This cute bunny with its sassy eyelashes reminds me of a Peter Cottontail illustration," said one editor. Encased in a detailed burnished yellow layer of foil, this chocolate is the darkest of them all. "As a dark chocolate lover, I appreciate the hint of semisweetness that lingers with each bite," stated one taster.

Cons: One editor described it as "spongy," while another disliked its "chewy" texture.

 




Second Runner-Up: Godiva Bertie the Milk Chocolate Bunny ($23.50 per 9 oz. bunny)

Pros: This bunny got high marks for presentation. "I am drawn to its simple and classic look," commented one tester. Packaged in a decorative pastel box, this creamy, rich, and cocoa flavored bunny had editors pleased.

Cons: Overly sweet aftertaste. The most expensive of all.

 




For more Easter recipes and menus, check out Epicurious’s Complete Easter Package

by Carolina Santos-Neves

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From the Community…

Comments 1-6 of 6
  • Ali's Avatar
    Posted by Ali Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:44pm PDT

    I like to play this game every Easter. I have to say I agree exactly with that ranking. Lindts is my absolute fave chocolate, hershey's second, godiva last!! Godiva=overrated!

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  • __A_YAHOO_USER__'s Avatar
    Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:41pm PDT

    That reminds me, I have to go out and get a chocolate bunny! I always get myself one for Easter every year. Those sound really good!!

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  • AmandaG's Avatar
    Posted by AmandaG Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:55pm PDT

    Easter joke: How do you tell the difference between a male chocolate bunny and a female chocolate bunny?

    Answer: When, you bite into the head of the chocolate bunny, if it's hollow, it's definetly a male. Hahahahaha.

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  • Mrs. Carol B's Avatar
    Posted by Mrs. Carol B Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:32pm PDT

    Caution - don't buy chocolate with the ingredient chocolate liquer to give to small children. Do you drink liquer of any kind? You are giving your child booze. Buy all natural chocolate if you can find it. Takes some hunting by you but hey, aren't you going to make your child hunt for it too! LOL

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  • Christi's Avatar
    Posted by Christi Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:53pm PDT

    Sees Candy Easter Bunnies are the best- always were as a child, and always will be.

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  • mudkips's Avatar
    Posted by mudkips Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:28pm PDT

    Chocolate liquor isn't actual liquor, bro. It's a liquid form of cocoa and is part of the process of making chocolate, herp derp.

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