For a lot of us, Easter means one thing: Chocolate. But for those of us who can’t – or don’t – eat dairy for whatever reason, finding a delicious chocolate treat to enjoy at this time of year can be a challenge. Things have come a long way in the last decade since I stopped having dairy, and the taste, texture and selection is really impressive this year.
To help you find your perfect Easter indulgence, writer Chloe Walden lists her top treats that can be enjoyed by all:
The Re-Fillable One
As a kid (and let's be honest, still now) my mum would fill up this beautiful, card easter egg with a lovely bunny design on it for me with my favourite chocolatey treats. After over 20 years, it’s starting to show the signs of decades of love, but it wouldn’t be Easter without it.
So, I was thrilled to hear that Swedish company Gåva (which means gift in Swedish) has brought its beautiful and reusable Easter Äggs to the UK – thoughtful and sustainable. And theirs are available in so many beautiful designs, from durable card Beatrix Potter illustrations to more contemporary and stylish durable tin ones.
Available in various sizes and designs (including a DIY Ägg that you decorate yourself), they can hold anything from the yummy vegan pick-and-mix if you want to send directly to someone who you might not be able to see this Easter, through to thoughtful surprises, experience vouchers to jewellery or toys.
From £7.50.
Available direct from gavagifting.co.uk
For the Kids: PLAYinChoc
The PLAYinChoc bunnies are dairy and allergen-free – including nut, gluten, soy – as well as being plastic-free. Made with the finest fairly traded single-origin Peruvian cacao beans before being mixed with organic Madagascan bourbon vanilla and organic creamed coconut, resulting in a smooth, creamy and genuinely tasty chocolate.
The PLAYin CHOC ToyChoc Boxes contain two individually wrapped, organic dairy-free chocolates and a delightful cardboard toy to assemble. The toy is one of a series of 6 to collect and also comes with its own fun fact card. If it’s an Easter ‘Egg’ Hunt your planning, get the box of six and hide them around the garden.
£2.50 for one, or £15.00 for six.
Available from https://playinchoc.com/
A Dairy Free Take on the Classic
If you’re looking for a take on the classics, look no further than Mummy Meagz The range includes Vegan Creme Egg – which has reignited my childhood love, Orange Choccie Egg, a Smoove Moove (plain) egg, and a Sunnycomb Bar which, in my opinion, tastes better than a crunchie as it is less clawingly sweet.
Each product in the range bears the Vegan Society logo, so both chocolate lovers and those gifting to others this Easter can be reassured that the products are made without animal products. The Smoove Moove Easter Egg is perfect for the classic egg lover - a luxuriously silky blend of mylk chocolate and deliciously dark chocolate with a shell that has a satisfying crack.
Varying RRPs from £1.49.
Available from https://mummymeagz.com/ and Holland & Barrett.
The Celebration Cake
Let's be honest, you can never go wrong with cake. And Easter calls for a special Chocolate Celebration Cake from Oggs which is not only dairy free but completely vegan too.
I’m always a little sceptical about vegan cakes as I’ve often found them lacking, but this cake didn’t fail to impress. A deliciously light chocolate sponge is filled and topped with chocolate fudge frosting and finished with chocolate curls, edible stars and gold shimmer. What’s more, it used planet friendly packaging too – tasty for you, good for the planet.
RRP, £8.00 for one cake which serves around 10 people.
Available from https://www.loveoggs.com/, Waitrose and Ocado.
The Fun One
When the Easter bunny has been to visit, he may have left something behind… a bunny dropping or too! Or that’s what Creative Nature seem to think with their Bunny Dropping jars filled will light and crunchy rice bites covered in chocolate.
Think less-sweet Maltesers, but just as addictive – a packet of these doesn’t last long in our house! Unlike Maltesers, these are covered with slightly darker chocolate which is delicious and smooth, and what’s more they are completely vegan and free from the top 14 allergens.
I like all of the flavours, by they have gone with customer’s favourite Gnawables, Hazelnot – which is plant-based and nut free! Tasty, fun and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face; what could be better?
RRP, £5.99 or get two for £10.00.
Available from https://www.creativenaturesuperfoods.co.uk/
A Choco-Spread to top… everything?
If you’re going for a chocolate-filled day, why not start from breakfast? For a slightly healthier option, I would say than tucking into an egg first thing in the day, is the Organic Hazelnut spread from Fabalous which is a slightly darker but still delicious alternative to the nation’s favourite hazelnut chocolate spread.
2-star Great Taste Award-winning, this spread uses chickpeas as the primary ingredient, which are high in protein as well as being a good source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. This spread packs a chocolatey punch and tastes good smeared on toast, mixed in with oats, or just off the spoon (shh…!).
Definitely a breakfast must-have if you’re looking for a vegan alternative that uses ethically sourced cocoa, hazelnuts paired with cane sugar, rounded off with a pinch of salt and plastic free packaging.
RRP, £4.99.
Available from Amazon and delis, cafes and independent stores.
The Luxury One
For a touch of luxury, Hames Chocolates has you covered. Made in Lincolnshire, the chocolate for these eggs is made with rice powder to give it an incredibly creamy texture that just makes you want to go back for more.
I loved the decadent packaging of these – it felt special when my egg arrived in its lovely golden box, before you opened it to find a wonderfully nestled egg tied up with a bow. Then, on opening, you find the egg is actually in two halves and inside is a wonderful surprise of Honeycomb Bunnies which are a treat in their own right. They certainly add a touch of glamour to the day.
RRP, £12.50
Available from https://hameschocolates.co.uk/
The Oaty One
Oat milk is my ‘alternative’ milk of choice, so I was intrigued by the idea of oat milk chocolate. I’m happy to say, Happi delivered of its promise to be the brand that puts a smile back on your face.
To begin with, the packaging is just so much fun. Bright, colourful and with cute characters – certainly eye-catching. Inside is just as joyous; these eggs use 47% single origin chocolate sourced directly and ethically from farms and growers with a full farm-to-bar supply chain. What’s more, it has replaced soya lecithin with sunflower lecithin to make the range completely allergen-free. Happily, there is no compromise on the flavour as these eggs deliver a rich and creamy taste that would give any ‘normal’ egg a run for its money.
RRP £10.00, or three for £22.50
Available from https://happifreefrom.com/
The Supermarket Sweep
For those who want to pick up a pocket-friendly egg with the shopping, look no further than the huge new free-from range from Tesco.
Unlike some of the other ones tried these do contain soy, and they feel a little less special to eat. But, overall they’re a good bang for your buck and come in some cute designs too. Cluckie the Chocolate Chick is just £3.50 and brand-new for this year, or dive into the Caramel Easter Egg with Chocolate Buttons for just £2.50. Or, for the ultimate Easter activity try the Bunnies & Chicks Adventure Hunt pack.
RRP £2.50 to £3.50.
Available in store and online from: https://www.tesco.com/
For When The Kids Have Gone To Bed…
Actually, the drinks from Three Spirits could be enjoyed at any time of the day, as they are completely alcohol free, but they don’t feel like it. These elixirs come in sleek, stylish and dark bottles that draw you in and tempt you to try them.
The Livener and the perfect pick-me-up with from guayusa, guava leaf and schisandra and big flavours from vibrant berries, bright aromatics and heat. The Social Elixir is full-bodied, bittersweet and tastes wonderful paired with ginger beer for a longer, ‘light and stormy’. And finally the Nightcap – made with tree saps and aromatic plants which are used to relax, unwind and invite the calm, dreamy feeling. These drinks taste good on their own poured over ice, or mixed into one of their fun mocktail recipes.
For an easter twist, try a twist on an Espresso Martini – or their Herbal Stimulant. Mix 50ml Social Elixir, 25ml espresso strength coffee and 7.5ml (a teaspoon and a half) of maple syrup in a shaker with plenty of ice. Strain through a tea strainer into a chilled cocktail glass and top with a dusting of cocoa powder. Delicious.
RRP from £24.99
Available from https://threespiritdrinks.com/
[Items in this article may have been gifted to Chatting Food. No financial payment has been made to feature in this article, and entries to the feature are made independently by members of the Editorial Team. This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases]
Chatting Food Contributor
Chloe Walden
Chloe has a passion for all things food and drink. Whether that’s getting stuck into cooking a new cuisine in the kitchen, dining out in a new London hot spot, or adding a new tipple to her drinks trolley, her life revolves around what’s next on the menu. On the weekend, you can often find her with a G&T in one hand, and a cookbook in the other.
Twitter: @chloewaldenPR
Instagram: @chloewalden