Our top-rated Easter eggs, from the adorable to the explosive

Though Easter may be a little different this year, there are certain hallowed rituals that even the pandemic can’t take away from us. Arguably one of the most precious of these sacred ceremonies is breaking fast on Easter Sunday via the medium of chocolate. Whether you are a traditionalist who insists on hearing the satisfying crack of an egg, or you’re open to trying something a little different, here are ten options that won’t disappoint.

The rainbow rabbits: Paul A Young

The name Paul A Young is something of a buzzword in London: the young chocolatier’s beautiful gift boxes, tied up with regal purple ribbon, have become widely recognised as a treat worth queueing for. The good news is his Easter range is as fun as it is refined – and however colourful his products look from the outside, you can be sure the appearance won’t outshine the taste. New this year is a colourful Pollock-esque egg, made from creamy milk chocolate and filled with a delightful clutch of chocolate chicks. Equally adorable are the Billi Bunnies, available in both dark and milk chocolate varieties and decorated in a stunning rainbow graffiti effect. These cute creatures are perfect for kids and adults alike and are a great reason to upgrade from your standard supermarket fare. Order the range online here.

The golden gift: Selfridge’s 

If you simply can’t celebrate Easter without tearing into that shining foil, Selfridges have an indulgent signature selection that stays true to the classic egg design. Their honeycomb milk chocolate Easter egg is a delightfully crunchy creation made especially in Chocolarder’s atelier. Each egg is swirling with honey sourced from hives overlooking St Michael’s Mount, and what’s more, it supports Project Earth and forest-friendly initiatives, meaning that purchasing this product will help protect both people and the planet. Order the honeycomb egg or the equally indulgent almond nougatine egg from Selfridges.com.

The Belgian ballotin: Neuhaus

Belgian Chocolatier Neuhaus were founded in 1857 and despite having established a pair of shops in London (at both St Pancras Station and Selfridges), all Neuhaus pralines and truffles have always been made entirely in Belgium, still overseen by their Maître Chocolatiers. Celebrate this year’s spring season with their Spring Limited Edition Easter Eggs, made with the finest natural ingredients to create complimentary flavours inspired by vibrant spring colours. Alternatively, honour the classics with a stunning Easter Eggs Ballotin, filled with around 40 Neuhaus chocolate Easter eggs, including a selection of praline, ganache and gianduja fillings. The very first ballotin box ever was created by Jean Neuhaus Jr and his wife Louise Agostini in 1915, beautifully designed to present and protect the precious pralines. Continue the tradition by ordering from their Easter collection here.

The oaty alternative: Chocolarder

This Cornish company specialises in meticulous bean-to-bar production using only the best ingredients, sourced directly from the farmers themselves. Their commitment to ethical trade makes them a great choice this Easter – what’s more, their environmental focus and completely plastic-free packaging make them a great eco-friendly option. Their Gola Toasted Oat Milk Egg is both dairy and gluten-free, made using only three ingredients: cocoa beans, unrefined sugar and toasted whole oats. However, you don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy this chocolate, which packs remarkable creaminess, beautiful sweet notes and a brownie finish. Order the egg online from Selfridges.com.

The faux Fabergé: DeRosiers

When it comes to DeRosiers, supporting a small artisan business could hardly be more inviting. Their award-winning chocolates, handmade in London, are the perfect excuse to treat yourself or a loved one. Their Easter collection includes a range of delicious bars, from dark chocolate and sour cherry – 64% Peruvian with an impressive fruity bite – to the sweet crunch of caramelised almond and the uniquely satisfying blend of amaretti and smoked sea salt. But the jewel in the crown is the classic milk chocolate egg itself: nestled in a dazzling Fabergé-style tin, this is an opulent offering that will provide a centrepiece for any spring festivities. Browse the range online here or visit their shop at 380 Garratt Lane SW18 4HP.

The enchanting assortment: Pierre Marcolini

This season Pierre Marcolini invites you to discover the enchanted universe of a magical garden. This fresh collection is a child’s dream that calls for a joyful and delicious Easter egg hunt to find unimaginable treasures: small, medium and extraordinary mischievous rabbits coming out of their shells, colourful baskets filled with delicious chocolates, new praline egg recipes using dried fruits for their pretty colourings. The collection caters to adults too, with milk and dark eggs bursting with mini eggs, luxury amaretti biscuits and an Easter cake for the family to share. Shop the collection here. 

The quirky cookie: Cutter and Squidge

Another plant-based option that’s almost too good to be true comes courtesy of London’s only all-natural bakery Cutter and Squidge. This small sister-run business branched out from Soho to City of London in 2019, becoming something of a hotspot in the capital. Sibling duo Emily and Annabel Lui pride themselves on their use of British ingredients and producers as well as their heart-healthy, low-sugar content. While the eggs used in their famous bakes are 100% free range, their chocolate egg selection has plenty of plant-based offerings too. It’s hard to believe that their new Cookies and Cream Half-Filled Vegan Easter Egg contains no dairy, but rest assured this indulgent delight – half a chocolate egg dipped in cocoa nibs and filled with silky ganache, digestive crumbs, caramel sauce, Oreos and dark chocolate eggs – is completely guilt-free. Order online here.

The boozy bunny: Cocktail Porters

If you thought the Lindt bunny couldn’t be improved upon, think again. Cocktail Porter UK are upgrading the iconic Swiss rabbit by combining it with one of the nation’s most popular cocktails. Their Lindt chocolate bunny espresso martinis are available for nationwide delivery, providing the perfect evening treat for anyone missing the bar experience. Bite the ears off the bunny, then shake and pour in the Ketel One Vodka, Cocktail Porter sugar syrup, Kuka cold brew coffee and Conker Liquor. Then comes the best part: once you’ve drained your drink, you can devour the cup. Order online here.

The flavour frontrunner: Melange 

Chocolatier Isabelle Alaya founded Melange Chocolate back in 2008 and has been on the rise ever since, producing a wide range of artisan truffles and chocolate bars using an inspired and eclectic range of flavours, from aromatic herbs and spices to exotic fruit and nuts. Though the shop is known for its trademark hot chocolate and warm, friendly atmosphere, this spring Alaya brings even more decadent delights in the form of a new Easter range. The classic eggs offer amazing combinations, from milk coriander grapefruit to white cardamom nutmeg and dark rose thyme, each delicately decorated and housing small gummy eggs inside. Or for an all-encompassing option, you could go for a treasure trove of egg-shaped chocolate truffles, filled with perfectly balanced ganaches in white strawberry mint, milk mango cardamom and dark pear ginger. Order here for collection in store.

The cheeky chicks: Montezuma’s

Montezuma’s pride themselves on crafting Easter chocolates with only the finest ingredients to create a fresh blend of old favourites and new flavours. Their signature collection includes a wide variety of gifts including delicious Peanut Butter Mini Eggs and a White Chocolate Speckled Hen, perfect for celebrating in style and providing a tasty treat for family and friends. They are also offering up an incredible selection of organic and plant-based chocs from their Absolute Black 100% Cocoa and vegan-friendly Like No Udder! ranges, from the Giant Dark Chocolate Egg to our personal favourite, a set of three charming dark chocolate chicks. Shop the range online here.

The creative collection: Chococo

For 2021 Chococo has three different Easter egg collections to choose from – the new Giant Collection, the Fine Collection and the Fun Collection. The Giant Collection eggs are giant versions of four favourites: milk and dark chocolate eggs studded with giant chunks of crunchy honeycomb; a mottled dinosaur egg studded with mini dinosaurs and ammonites; and a milk chocolate egg filled with award-winning Dorset Sea Salt Caramels. The Fine Collection eggs are handcrafted from Raisetrade single origin chocolate produced from Grand Cru de Sambirano cocoa beans in Madagascar and range from 40% cocoa to 100% sugar-free dark chocolate, all with tailored chocolates wrapped in a twist of tissue inside. The Fun Collection all have surprises studded inside both halves of each egg, from crunchy honeycomb to mini chocolate dinosaurs, gems, starfish or turtles. Shop the collection here. 

The kid-friendly kit: Crêpeaffaire

If you’re looking for a way to have fun in lockdown, Crêpeaffaire’s brand-new nationwide Easter pancake DIY kits come packed with everything you need for delicious family festivities this Spring. Perfect for big and little kids alike, Crêpeaffaire’s kit takes Easter treats to a new level with 250g of luxury house-blend pancake mix (enough for around ten crêpes), and seasonal toppings of Nutella, smarties, white chocolate, mini eggs, golden syrup and Cadbury’s Creme Eggs. Whether you stack them up or sandwich them together, it couldn’t be easier – just add water and get ready to flip. Available for nationwide delivery, the kits come with full instructions to help you perfectly prepare your crêpes, as well as an Easter Egg Hunt Card with clues and riddles to keep your chicks entertained over the long weekend. Order online here. 

The labour of love: Artisan du Chocolat

Artisan du Chocolat are known for going to remarkable heights in order to elevate the cocoa bean to new levels. This spring, experience a new dairy dimension with their Eggstraordinary Easter collection. Opt or a classic milk or dark option, available in two sizes, or try something a little different with an invention that epitomises indulgence. The Thunder Egg gets its name from layered rocks formed over millions of years, and fittingly between its outer milk chocolate shell and inner dark chocolate shell lies a sumptuous layer of salted caramel ganache. Surrounded by a whimsical array of filled eggs from passion fruit to salted caramel and presented in a stunning plastic-free reveal box, the Thunder Egg truly breaks the mould. Order online here.

The extravagant explosive: Paolo Griffa

If you really want to push the boat out this Easter, invest in something truly unique like Paolo Griffa’s delightfully inventive Easter Bomb. Admittedly, this playful twist is not a cheap option, but it does guarantee something unique. Designed by one of Italy’s most promising young chef’s, Paolo Griffa, the explosive comes in two colours and flavours: hazelnut for the silver bomb and hazelnut and coffee for the red bomb. The box includes a hammer and a supporting base made with wood from Aosta Valley, and all of the elements in the Easter Bomb are entirely handmade by Italian artisans. A surprise will be hidden in only four of the Easter Bombs: a special Golden Ticket that will allow you to win a day surrounded by greenery at the foot of Monte Bianco and a sweet picnic for two people. For UK delivery, contact the company by e-mail on info@paologriffa.com.

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