7 Best Easter Chocolates
When I was little, one of my favorite parts of Easter was when my great-uncle Andy would visit, bearing a colorful basket filled with fake grass, jelly beans, and-always-a chocolate Easter bunny. Here in the test kitchen, we thought we'd relive our childhoods a bit and try some of the adorable chocolate treats that are available today. Our tasting* wasn't exhaustive - bathing suit season is approaching, after all! - but we pulled together some of the cutest and tastiest holiday chocolates out there.
1. Fran's Chocolates
Fran's, from Seattle, is a crowd favorite here in the food department.
12 piece assorted Easter eggs, $22
We loved all the flavors, but fell hard for the coconut and hazelnut crunch fillings.
Fran's 7-piece salted caramels, $12.75
We never say no to Fran's salted caramels - the green box and ribbon would be a classy addition to any basket.
2. Harbor Sweets
Robert L Strohecker Assorted Rabbit, $16.95
Named for the founder's grandfather, this elegant rabbit's two halves make for a solid and filled confection - each bite a surprise. Within the solid chocolate, three of their popular fillings (almond butter crunch, caramel and pecan, and toasted almond) are interspersed throughout. The only problem: The urge to keep eating to see what the next bite will bring.
Related: Egg-Themed DIY Projects for Easter
3. Lake Champlain Chocolates
Easter Egg Gift Box
$19 for 5.4 oz.
We especially liked the peanut butter egg's thick chocolate shell and sweet and creamy filling.
Solid Dark and Milk Chocolate Carrots, $5.50 each
Because what's Bugs without his carrots?
4. Laughing Moon Chocolates
Standing Chocolate Rabbits, $10 each
Large solid standing bunnies, ready to be the star of the basket, complete with real straw. We thought the dark chocolate rabbit had a slight edge over his milk-chocolate brother.
Related: Edible Easter Crafts
5. Lindt
Milk Chocolate Lindt Hens, $18 for 6
Add to your edible menagerie super-cute, polka-dotted smooth milk chocolate hollow hens.
6. See's Candies
San Francisco-based Sees makes old-fashioned treats, like these Scotchmallow Eggs ($6 for box of 6) - chewy marshmallow and caramel layers covered in dark chocolate. One of our crew (not naming names) ate 2 of these in one sitting!
7. Vosges Haut Chocolat
Exotic Flop-Eared Bunnies, $12 each
So adorable that we almost didn't want to try them, but we're happy we did:
Toffee bunny - pleasingly salty with a good contrast of sweet milk chocolate.
Peanut Butter bunny - super creamy with bits of peanut crunch. Each Exotic bunny comes packaged with a story of origin.
Whether you choose to follow our lead, or purchase your own favorites, I'm sure there's a little kid out there who'd LOVE a chocolate bunny, egg, chick-even a carrot-tucked away in their basket next weekend, so hop to it!
*All candies kindly supplied by their respective companies.
What's your favorite Easter candy? Let me know in the comments!
-By Catherine Lo
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