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When I think back to the excitement I felt as a child when taking inventory of my Easter basket, there are three specific candies I remember most fondly: Peeps, Cadbury Mini Eggs, and Cadbury Cream Eggs. So when out shopping for basket goodies for my own kids, I turned instinctively to my old favourites. What is it about these Easter treats that evoke such nostalgia? To be honest, as an adult I find them overly sweet and always give up consumption after just a few bites. Nonetheless, each year I still go out and purchase them again and again. Am I alone in this sweet cycle? What are your favourite Easter treats?

Peeps
Just Google “Peeps” and you’ll see the extreme popularity these fluffy marshmallow critters enjoy. There are entire websitededicated to recipes, facts and myths, even exclusive Peep forums. While Peeps originally came only in the familiar shape of the yellow chick, now these candies are available year round in all sorts of holiday-themed forms, colours, and flavours. Invented by Rodda Candy in the early 1900s, each chick was individually made by hand as candy makers squeezed each Peep out of a pastry tube before painting on the eyes. Mass production of the marshmallow treats began in 1953 after the company was bought out by Just Born.

Enjoy Peeps in a steaming cup of hot chocolate!

Fun Facts:

• Last Easter more than 700 million marshmallow Peeps were consumed throughout the United States.
• Favourite ways to consume Peeps: eating them stale, microwaving, freezing, roasting, and using as a pizza topper.
• Peeps have been the number one non-chocolate Easter candy in the US for more than a decade.
• Originally it took 27 hours to make a batch of Peeps. Today it takes six minutes.
• Each Peep contains 32 calories and 0 grams of fat.

Cadbury Mini Eggs
Cadbury’s yummy miniature eggs are the ultimate addition to any Easter basket. With their crisp candy coating and silky milk chocolate centre, the only thing up for debate is whether to suck or crunch your way through a bag. Unleashed upon the world by Cadbury in 1989, the Mini Eggs were developed in Canada and have been an Easter favourite for the last 20 years. Originally they were only available during the Easter season, but recently Cadbury introduced “The Other Bunny” who delivers Mini Eggs 365 days of the year. Today, these treats come in different varieties including Mini Eggs Dark, Mini Eggs Micro, and Mini Eggs Popping (crunchy shells that pop and crackle in your mouth).

Cadbury Mini Egg Cupcakes decorated with marshmallows, sprinkles, heart candies, & coconut

Cadbury Creme Eggs
Even though the first Cadbury Creme Egg was introduced in 1923, the version that we all know and love was not launched until 1971. It has since become an Easter icon worldwide, with over 300 million Cadbury Creme Eggs being produced each year. These goo-filled treats are manufactured by pouring liquid chocolate into egg shaped moulds, which are then filled with the ‘yolk’ (white and yellow fondant).

Fun Facts:

• In the UK, Cadbury Creme Eggs are the most popular selling chocolate between January and Easter.
• If you ever find yourself in Bournville (England), you can hitch a ride in the official Cadbury Creme Egg car – an oval vehicle that frequently makes trips round the village.
• The famous “Clucking Bunny” ad campaign was first launched in 1982, and still remains the most recognized and beloved confectionery advertising personality.
• According to a Cadbury survey:
  53% of people bite off the top, lick out the cream, then eat the chocolate
  20% just bite straight through
  6% use their finger to scoop out the cream

What better way to enjoy a Cadbury Creme Egg than in the form of a martini. Be sure to check out my recipe for this sweet Easter treat! Click here for more.

HAPPY EASTER!