How Chocolate Bunnies, Robin Eggs & Sugar Took Over Spring
At Yabba’s Wacky Snack Shack, we believe every holiday should come with a sugar rush—and when it comes to Easter, we’re in our candy-coated element. From pastel jelly beans and marshmallow chicks to crunchy malted milk robin eggs and classic chocolate bunnies, Easter is like the Super Bowl of sweets. But have you ever wondered how all these delicious treats became such a huge part of the holiday? Why do we nibble on chocolate bunnies? What’s the deal with speckled eggs that don’t come from chickens? And who decided that sugar should be the star of spring?
The history of Easter candy is as wild, wacky, and sweet as the treats themselves—and just like everything we love here at the Shack, it’s a mix of tradition, nostalgia, and a whole lot of sugar. So grab a handful of your favorite Easter sweets and settle in, because we’re diving into the candy-coated origins of the most colorful holiday of them all.
From Ancient Traditions to Sugary Celebrations
To understand how Easter became such a candy-centric celebration, we’ve got to go back—way back. Long before chocolate bunnies and jellybeans hopped onto the scene, spring festivals were already being held around the world to mark the changing of the seasons. Many of these early festivals were all about new life, fertility, and the return of sunshine after a long winter.
The Christian celebration of Easter eventually merged with some of these older springtime customs, bringing along symbols like eggs, which have long represented new life. Over time, the holiday evolved into a joyful, colorful event—and when celebrations get joyful, humans almost always bring snacks. Enter: candy.
By the 19th century, Easter was becoming increasingly commercialized in Europe and America, and it didn’t take long for sweet treats to hop their way into the mix. And let’s be honest—who can resist something wrapped in shiny foil or dusted with sugar?
The Rise of the Chocolate Bunny
Let’s start with one of the most iconic Easter treats of all time: the chocolate bunny. He’s cute, he’s hollow (or solid, depending on how serious you are about chocolate), and he’s been a centerpiece of Easter baskets for generations.
The idea of a rabbit being associated with Easter comes from German folklore, where the “Osterhase” (or Easter hare) was said to lay colorful eggs for well-behaved children. When German immigrants brought this tradition to America in the 1700s, it slowly began to evolve. And as chocolate-making technology improved in the 19th century, the Easter hare went from myth to munchable.
In Germany and France, chocolatiers began molding bunnies out of chocolate, often using hollow molds to save on expensive ingredients. These sweet sculptures were works of art, and they quickly became a beloved part of Easter celebrations. When the trend hopped over to the U.S., it stuck—and then exploded.
Today, chocolate bunnies come in every size and flavor imaginable. Some are big enough to need their own shelf, while others are tiny enough to pop into your mouth in one bite (not that we’d ever judge). Whether you go for milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even wild flavors like cookies & cream or peanut butter-filled, there’s something undeniably fun about chomping the ears off a chocolate rabbit each spring.
Cracking the Case of the Robin Egg
Next up: robin eggs. These crunchy little candies are basically spring in a shell. With their speckled, pastel coating and melt-in-your-mouth malted milk center, robin eggs have been a seasonal favorite for decades—and they’ve got some pretty sweet origins.
Malted milk powder, the magic inside every robin egg, was first developed in the late 1800s as a nutritional supplement for infants. But it didn’t take long for candy makers to realize that the creamy, toasty flavor of malted milk paired perfectly with chocolate. By the 1930s, companies were coating malted milk balls in chocolate and turning them into a candy aisle favorite: the Whopper.
When Easter rolled around, candy makers saw an opportunity to give these treats a seasonal makeover. By covering malted milk balls in pastel-colored shells and adding speckles to mimic real bird eggs, robin eggs were born. Not only did they look adorable in Easter baskets, but they added a fun crunch and a nostalgic flavor that kept people coming back year after year.
At Yabba’s Wacky Snack Shack, we take our robin eggs seriously. We’ve got jumbo ones, mini ones, chocolate-covered ones—you name it. There’s just something magical about cracking into that candy shell and tasting that sweet, malty center. It’s Easter candy at its finest.
Peeps, Jelly Beans & the Rest of the Easter Candy Crew
Of course, Easter candy wouldn’t be complete without a few other colorful characters. Peeps, those squishy, sugary marshmallow chicks and bunnies, have been around since the 1950s and are now as much a part of Easter as dyed eggs and pastel dresses. Love ’em or hate ’em, you can’t deny that Peeps have earned their place in the candy hall of fame.
Then there are jelly beans—bright, chewy, and endlessly poppable. While they weren’t originally created for Easter, jelly beans have become a springtime staple thanks to their egg-like shape and rainbow of colors. First popularized in the early 20th century, these little candies are now an Easter must-have.
We’d be remiss not to mention foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, candy-coated almonds, and gummy bunnies, too. Over the years, candy companies have pulled out all the stops to create seasonal sweets that dazzle the eyes and delight the taste buds. And every Easter, stores like Yabba’s Wacky Snack Shack get to transform into pastel playgrounds full of sugar-fueled surprises.
Easter Baskets: The Ultimate Candy Parade
While the origins of Easter candy are fascinating, part of what makes this holiday so fun is the tradition of the Easter basket. These festive little bundles of joy have become a symbol of springtime celebration, overflowing with sweet treats, colorful toys, and shredded grass that somehow ends up all over the house.
The tradition of gifting baskets goes back centuries, but the modern Easter basket—stuffed with candy, toys, and goodies—really took off in the mid-20th century. As candy production became more efficient and affordable, families began filling baskets with chocolates, marshmallow chicks, and other seasonal treats, turning it into a cherished childhood memory.
Today, Easter baskets can be as simple or extravagant as you want them to be. Whether you’re sticking to the classics or going full-on wacky with gummy sushi, rainbow rock candy, and oversized lollipops, there’s no wrong way to build an Easter basket. And at Yabba’s Wacky Snack Shack, we’re here to help you make it unforgettable—with the weirdest, wildest, and most whimsical Easter candy you can find.
A Holiday That’s Always Evolving
One of the coolest things about Easter candy is how it continues to evolve. Every year, we see new flavors, new shapes, and new twists on old favorites. Think sour jelly beans, chocolate-dipped Peeps, or even carrot-shaped candy corn. Candy makers are always pushing the envelope, and Easter gives them the perfect excuse to get creative.
But no matter how many new candies hit the shelves, the classics never go out of style. There’s something comforting about unwrapping a foil-covered chocolate bunny or digging through a pile of robin eggs, hoping to find your favorite color. These sweets aren’t just sugar—they’re memories.
At Yabba’s Wacky Snack Shack, we’re all about keeping those traditions alive while adding a little extra pop of fun. We celebrate the quirky side of candy, the nostalgic feelings it brings, and the joy it adds to every holiday. Easter is one of our favorite times of year, and it’s not just because of the chocolate. It’s because of the smiles we see, the stories we hear, and the families who make our store part of their spring celebration.
Let the Sweetness Continue
As the flowers bloom and the Easter bunny hops into town, we invite you to come experience the candy magic for yourself. Whether you’re picking out the perfect basket filler, discovering a new favorite treat, or just reliving your childhood one jelly bean at a time, Yabba’s Wacky Snack Shack is the place to do it.
So here’s to chocolate bunnies, speckled robin eggs, and the wonderful world of Easter candy. Here’s to springtime, sugar highs, and baskets full of happiness. And most of all, here’s to you—our sweet-loving, fun-chasing, wacky-at-heart customers who make every season at the Shack a little brighter (and a lot more delicious).
