Easter Chocolate & an Egg-Laying Bunny

Easter Chocolate & an Egg-Laying Bunny

Ever wonder what a cute, furry rabbit has to do with sweets at Easter time? There’s an interesting history behind how this holiday became associated with chocolate, jelly beans and a bunny who brings baskets full of goodies.

The earliest celebrations involving rabbits dates back to ancient pagan times, with symbols tied to the goddess of Eostre, who also stood for fertility and new life in springtime. Over the years, new customs formed that were still centered around the rabbit, with German immigrants in the 1700s bringing their tradition of an egg-laying hare named "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws" from the Old Country. Legend has it, the rabbit would lay colorful eggs as gifts to children who were good.

But where does chocolate tie into a giant bunny bringing eggs?

The first chocolate Easter eggs were made in Europe in the early 19th Century with France and Germany taking the lead in this new artistic confectionery.

Then in 1875, John Cadbury made his first Cadbury Easter Egg in England. The process of making chocolate Easter eggs was very slow until a method was found of making the chocolate flow into molds, therefore allowing large amounts to be created simultaneously.

Today, the United States continues to celebrate Easter with all things chocolate, eggs and bunnies. In fact, it’s estimated that this year, Americans will spend almost $3 million on Easter candy alone! Now that’s a lot of sweetness!

Here at Sweet P’s, we’ve got plenty of bunny and egg-shaped treats for you to enjoy this Easter season, so be sure to hop on over and find something that will fill your basket with all kinds of sweet goodness! Remember, Easter is in 3 shorts weeks!