Easter is, of course, generally considered to be a religion-based holiday, but there is a childlike magic about it as well. Specifically adding to this mystique are the various candies and other sweet treats that are overly abundant during this time.
Easter baskets can be traced back to the early 1800’s. Europeans perfected the chocolate mold and concocted the first chocolate Easter eggs which, logically enough, were delivered to youngsters in an egg basket.
By the 1850’s, the German company Whitman’s Candies had developed and perfected the method for molding chocolate into the shape of bunnies.
In the 1930’s, brightly colored jelly beans, in the shape of little eggs, emerged in the United States as the newest addition to the collection of Easter treats.
In 1953, the Rodda Candy Company introduced what is now the iconic marshmallow treat, “Peeps”.
It was in 1963 when the first Cadbury’s Crème Egg was marketed under its original name of Fry’s Crème Egg.
The Reese’s Company dropped their chocolate into peanut butter (or did they smear their peanut butter onto chocolate?) for the first time in 1967, leading to the advent of their Peanut Butter Egg.
The M & M Company delivered a pastel makeover for their candies, conjuring up symbols for bunnies, chicks, and eggs along the way.
Here’s a more concise timeline of Easter candies over the years, including where they came from and why they became icons. Which one is your go-to favorite?
1800s Europeans perfect the chocolate mold and bring us the first chocolate Easter eggs.
1850s The chocolate bunny immigrates from Germany courtesy of Whitman’s.
1930s Egg-shaped brightly colored jelly beans become synonymous with Easter.
1953 The Rodda Candy Company introduces iconic marshmallow treat Peeps.
1963 Cadbury’s Creme Egg hits the shelves under its original name, Fry’s Creme Egg.
1967 Reese’s famous combo takes a new form as the Peanut Butter Egg.
1986 M&M’s get a pastel makeover, boasting bunny, chick, and egg symbols.
As you can see, these sweet treats have been the in-demand candies for Easter baskets and festivities for two centuries.
