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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