Easter Candy Favorites

You know it’s Easter when the stores are filled with chocolate bunnies and Peeps.   When it comes to what’s in our Easter baskets – we all have our favorites!   One of mine are Cadbury Crème Filled eggs.  This is the only time of year I allow myself to indulge in these delicious chocolate and sugar delights.   They bring back fond memories as a child living in England and discovering them for the very first time.They weren’t yet sold in the states so when I was packing to return to the US I stuffed as many crème eggs as I could into my suitcase. I wanted an ample supply for myself and to share with friends  (you can get a lot in a sock).   Imagine my surprise when I opened my suitcase and discovered that Cadbury Crème Eggs and altitude don’t mix.   They had exploded!    Not only did I lose my eggs – my clothes were a sticky mess!  

Fortunately, I don’t have to smuggle these in from the UK any longer!   They’re manufactured in the US by the Hershey Company, but their history dates back to 1923 when the Cadbury brothers first started making filled eggs.  The eggs as we know them today were introduced in 1963 under the name “Frys Crème Eggs” and re-named Cadbury Crème Eggs in 1971.  The Brits are still “egg-static” about these delights.  Creme Eggs are the best-selling confectionery item between New Years Day and Easter in the UK, with annual sales in excess of 200 million eggs!

“Peeps” are another popular Easter candy – yet they stir up the most controversy.  You either love ‘em or loathe ‘em.  I asked my Facebook friends to chime in with their opinions about these sweet little marshmallow treats and the comments ranged from “I LOVE them” to “they fit my four major food groups - sugar, artificial coloring, fat and marshmallow - a winner!  Peep haters had this to say, “Nasty” “Gross” “Hate the texture” and “Its the Peep pushers...that keep getting in your face, trying to get you to eat these disgusting little suckers.”  

Regardless of your opinion, Peeps don’t seem to be going away any time soon.  In fact for the past 10 years, Peeps have been the number one selling non-chocolate Easter candy.  Manufactured in Bethelehem, PA by the Just Born Candy Company - Peeps have been around since the 1950’s.  The first Peep took 27 hours to be “born”.  Today a Peep is born every 6 minutes.  The most popular color is yellow – followed by pink.  Peeps are a seasonal item and the amount eaten at Easter could span the earth’s circumference more than once.

So there you have it – some Easter candy trivia to share at your table.  Enjoy your Holiday and your Peeps and remember - there is no wrong way to eat a chocolate bunny!