Easter Candy 101

Easter brings us back to the unadulterated fun of childhood, back when mom organized the neighborhood Easter egg hunt, and candy was as abundant as during Halloween. From the peeps that turn you tongue bright yellow, to hot cross buns and hollow chocolate eggs, they all pop up this time of year. But just what is the history of these delectable favorites that have become a staple in the world of Easter candy? Let’s take a look.

Back in 1361, Father Thomas Rockcliffe, a monk at St. Albans, started giving out hot cross buns to the poor on Good Friday. He had no idea he was officially beginning the tradition of sweets being associated with this religious holiday.

Hot cross buns were actually begun as a pagan tradition, wherein the cross was associated with the four quarters of the moon. However, Rockcliffe took the design and associated it with the cross of Jesus, translating the pagan symbol into something palatable for the Christians. Because of this nefarious origin, however, in the 16th century Queen Elizabeth banned the consumption of the bun except at Easter. Thus the first official Easter sweet was born.

The pretzel was another early food to be associated with Easter eating. Although not a sweet treat, the shape and twist of the pretzel representing arms crossed in prayer.

In the 1800s, chocolate had become all the rage in Europe, and chocolatiers looked for shapes and sizes to create treats that could be associated with various holidays. The chocolate egg was born, originating again from pagan traditions that represent rebirth. Christians adapted this symbol to correlate with the crucifixion, as well as the stone that was rolled away from the tomb. At this time, the egg was popular in Germany and France, and eventually spread throughout all of Europe.

These first eggs were made solid, but soon the hollow egg was born. This was a laborious process, as the use of modern chocolate was not around, and a heavy paste of cocoa powder was used. By the early 20th century, modern chocolate making processes had evolved greatly, and chocolate eggs were mass produced. By the 1960s, chocolate eggs had become a universal symbol of Easter, as well as their counterpart the chocolate bunny.

Jelly Beans are perhaps the number one candy associated with Easter. These tiny treats are believed to have evolved from something called a Turkish Delight, which was sold in glass jars on the counters of stores nationwide. Shaped like little eggs, jelly beans were first associated with the Easter bunny, which rose to fame during the Civil War as a bearer of good tidings of Spring, delivering eggs as a sign of rebirth.

Whether celebrating Easter as a religious holiday or pagan tradition, everyone can agree this is a time for celebration, rebirth and fresh new beginnings. What better way to celebrate the happiness of a new start that with the sweet treats that reminds us of those happier times of youth? Regardless of your reasons for indulging, nothing says innocence like an Easter basket filled with jelly beans, marshmallow peeps and chocolate bunnies to bring a smile to your heart.

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