Top 8 chocolate eggs for all budgets to impress with this Easter
Leftover eggs make great hot chocolate
Rows and rows of Easter eggs tempt us with three-for-two bargains and reminders of our favourite bars. How can we resist Toblerone, Maltesers, and Cadbury’s chocolate fingers? But our job here is to find something different, something to excite, to feel luxurious and special once a year. And promote local if it’s merited. There was no shortage of choice.
The quality of chocolate is good, though some fall down with far too much sugar (especially dairy-free), so these didn’t make our Top 8. Most have a decent shelf life so you can enjoy your egg in 'treat' sizes long after Easter Sunday - if you don't polish it off on the day. Try allowing a small piece to melt in your mouth, closing your eyes for the fullest experience.
Leftover eggs make great hot chocolate – add to the saucepan and dissolve gently. Melt with a little grapeseed oil (which is tasteless) for a smooth sauce, and dip cupcakes or Madeleines in it. Set on a wire rack to harden. You will find quality Madeleine moulds in Delia’s kitchen shop Carey’s Lane and Brennan’s Cookware, Togher, both in Cork, and in kitchen shops nationwide.
Some of last year’s top markers were not in shops in time for tasting, but I expect their high standards to remain.
Score: 10
With small pieces of caramelised salted peanuts throughout, the quite thick eggshell is nicely crunchy and fresh tasting. Very moreish. The milk chocolate has a good 34% cocoa solids. We also liked the mini eggs (€6), richly creamy inside, which the kids happily described as Nutella.
This chunky-shelled hollow milk chocolate egg has delicious solid mini eggs in the box and was enjoyed by all. The shape of the egg is unexpectedly flatter than bulbous, so it’s unlikely to break in transit. The company is careful about ethically sourcing chocolate beans and avoiding slave labour. Good value. For chocolate lovers with an eco-conscience.
