We explore the rich history of the Easter bunny, and how it became the chocolate treat we know and love

It’s probably no surprise that our favourite thing about Easter is the chocolate. Decadent Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies make the perfect luxury gift to celebrate the spring holiday of rebirth, new life and new hope. But when did chocolate bunnies become such a classic symbol of Easter? To find out, let’s first look at where it all began: where did the Easter bunny come from?

Origins of the Easter Bunny

Historians have found evidence that the story of the Easter Bunny began in Germany in the 1600s. They discovered a folk belief in the egg-bearing Osterhase (or Oschter Haws) – the Easter Hare – who would hide brightly-coloured decorated eggs in herb gardens for children to find. The egg-bringer is thought to be a hare because, due to their prolific breeding habits, rabbits and hares are considered to be a symbol of rebirth.

The idea of the egg-giving hare crossed to the United States in the 18^th century, when Protestant German immigrants told the story of the Osterhase to their children. According to this updated version of the legend, the Easter Bunny was a lot like Santa Claus — deciding whether children had been “good” or “bad”. The children would build nests for the bunny, and if they had been good, they would be rewarded with gifts of coloured eggs.

Children in Germany still write to the Osterhase today, at one of three Easter Bunny post offices across the country.

What is the story behind Easter eggs?

To understand how the figure of the Easter bunny transformed into the annual chocolate treat we love today, we first have to look at the rich history of Easter eggs.

Like rabbits and hares, eggs have long been a symbol of fertility and new life associated with springtime. And the tradition of decorated eggs goes back long before Christianity was introduced. But with the introduction of the Christian festival of Easter we know today, eggs became significant for two main reasons. Easter Sunday marks the end of Lent, during which Christians were forbidden to eat eggs or dairy. So giving and eating eggs formed a central part of the celebrations. The empty eggshell also became associated with the empty tomb and the subsequent rebirth of Jesus. As such, it became a popular custom to dye eggs red, symbolising the blood of Christ, and give them as Easter gifts.

By the 19^th century in Europe, hollow cardboard eggs were fashionable. These eggs would feature opulent fabric decoration and conceal small gifts. A ribbon fastening added the final flourish.

But what about the chocolate? The first chocolate Easter eggs, perhaps expectedly, made in France and Germany. However, many of these eggs were solid as there was no way of moulding edible chocolate. Some chocolatiers attempted to create hollow eggs. These were rare, however, as the process involved painstakingly coating moulds with layers of chocolate one at a time.

Why do we eat chocolate bunnies at Easter?

At the same time as chocolate eggs were coming to the fore, so were variations on the hollow Easter-themed vessel used for giving gifts. Before its closure, the Easter Bunny Museum in Munich displayed 19^th-century rabbit figures made from cardboard or wood. Some had removable heads so that people could hide chocolate or sweets inside – the early origins of our chocolate bunnies.

With chocolate Easter gifts gaining popularity, it was lucky that technology was fast catching up. Inventions like Rodolphe Lindt’s conching machine were making way for methods of making chocolate suitable for pouring and moulding. Soon not only were hollow chocolate Easter eggs making their way across Europe and the world, but so were Easter treats in all shapes and sizes. This was all thanks to the development of more complex moulds. The first chocolate bunnies appeared in Germany. Their influence soon spread and by the early 1920s, chocolate bunnies were a household tradition to commemorate Easter.

Luxury chocolate Easter bunnies for children and grown-ups

For a luxurious twist on these classic Easter treats, look no further than our collection of Easter chocolate.

Our Milk Chocolate Big City Easter Bunny is crafted from our signature 40% cacao milk chocolate and dressed to impress kids and adults alike. Never compromising on our “more cacao, less sugar” mantra, the bold cacao flavours are tempered with delicate creaminess to achieve our velvety texture and melt-in-the-mouth finish.

If you’re after an Easter treat with even bolder cacao flavours, or looking for the perfect vegan Easter gift, our Dark Chocolate Big City Easter Bunny is the same dapper figure crafted from 70% cacao dark chocolate. We created him with the dark chocolate lover’s palate in mind. Our 70% chocolate balances subtle bitterness with a hint of sweetness for an intense depth of flavour and a mellowness that may surprise you.

For perfect Easter cake decorations, individually-wrapped delights for Easter chocolate hunts, or to mix and match flavours in your Easter gifts this year, give our Bunny Selectors or mini City Bunnies a try. These bite-sized delights come in a range of flavours created by our chocolatiers. Take a look at the range. Will you go for classic milk or creamy white? Perhaps golden caramel is your flavour of choice or you prefer the vibrant notes of raspberry-Nutmilk. Either way, you’re sure to find some characterful chocolate bunnies to suit.

Easter chocolate gifts from Hotel Chocolat

Our Easter chocolate selection is sure to delight your family and friends this year. Our signature Extra Thick Easter Eggs feature a lavishly thick eggshell with a curated selection of chocolates inside for an opulent experience, while among the rest of the collection, you will find unique treats like our original chocolate sandwiches, fun chocolate selections and of course, our luxurious Gift Collections and hampers.