Chocolate rabbit

The chocolate Easter bunny is the most popular chocolate dessert around Easter time. Around 90 million chocolate rabbits are made every year at this time, delighting young and old around the world. This is not so surprising, as Easter is surely the most popular holiday in the world, second only to Christmas. There are different chocolate rabbits. Most are made of milk chocolate, but those made of dark or white chocolate are becoming increasingly popular. They can be hollow, filled with chocolate or with other additives such as caramel, peanut butter and sweet marshmallows.

History of the chocolate rabbit

No Easter basket is complete without a chocolate rabbit, which takes refuge in soft, shiny artificial grass. But while munching on a chocolate ear or foot, have you ever wondered who is responsible for making the chocolate rabbit so popular today?

The rabbit has long been a symbol of spring. In ancient European pagan beliefs, rabbits were considered harbingers of spring, representing new birth, new beginnings and fertility. The reason for this is that rabbits reproduce very quickly, so it makes sense that rabbits represent the beginning of new life. But it took a long time from the first pagan beliefs to the making of the first chocolate rabbit. It was not until around 1800 that the first chocolate products in the shape of rabbits appeared in the world. Of course, these products were not as sophisticated as we know them today. The original chocolate rabbits came in the form of cakes and other pastries, and were thus used to brighten up spring festivities. It did not take long for these chocolate products to find their way to the rest of Europe, and they quickly spread across the pond to America.

So when you eat a chocolate rabbit, remember that it has a history stretching back hundreds of years. Did you know that 76% of Americans bite off a (chocolate!) rabbit ear first? Do you? Which part of the rabbit do you pick up first?

Chocolate rabbit in a different way

If you thought there were only classic chocolate rabbits made from plain milk chocolate, you''d be wrong. World-famous chocolatiers have made sure that even the five-toed chocolate lovers have their own chocolate bunnies. The prices of these bunnies vary, depending mainly on the quality of the products and the way they are made. In most cases, these rabbits are smaller than the traditional ones, there are several in a pack, and their special feature is that they are handmade.

White chocolate rabbits are becoming increasingly popular today. Many chocolate lovers have found that they are also very useful for decoration, as they offer a great contrast. Imagine decorating your table at Easter with white and dark chocolate rabbits. Add a few chocolate eggs and a nice bouquet and you can be sure that your guests will go crazy at the sight of such a beautifully decorated dining table.

Make your own chocolate bunny

You can buy a rabbit mould in the shops to start making your own chocolate rabbits. It''s not as difficult as you might think. All you need is chocolate, which you melt in a water bath, then add other additives as you like. Pour the chocolate into the mould and let it set. This is how you get a handmade chocolate rabbit filled with your favourite chocolate. If you want to make a chocolate bunny that is hollow inside, pour the hot chocolate into the mould, wait a few seconds, then quickly pour the chocolate out of the mould. The chocolate that has come into contact with the mould, which is colder, will harden in a few seconds to form a shell. The chocolate in the centre of the mould will still be liquid and this will allow you to remove it. Then just wait for the chocolate shell to harden completely before carefully removing it from the mould. If you think making chocolate rabbits is difficult, you will quickly see that it is not. Just play around and you will see that you will quickly succeed. But remember, handmade chocolate gifts are worth much more than those bought in a shop.

Consumer research in America has shown that 42% of adults surveyed consider a chocolate bunny to be the best Easter confection. Jelly sweets came second, followed by other sweets. So we can see that the chocolate rabbit is definitely the most popular chocolate creation, which is also worth bearing in mind when it comes to gifts. So make sure your Easter baskets and other gifts contain at least one chocolate rabbit!