Easter is the time when chocolate truly comes into its own and you can gorge on sweetened cocoa beans for breakfast if you really feel like it. Chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies or just slabs of the stuff, it doesn't matter what shape it takes, anything chocolate-coated goes. There are the off-the-shelf Cadbury's type of egg you'll find in your local newsagents but if you really want to spoil friends and family you'll have to dig a little deeper than that. Go the extra mile this Easter and invest in a very special egg by visiting one of our Top Chocolate Shops where everything is handmade and chocolate is elevated to an art form. The list includes London's well known purveyors of fine chocolates featuring experts like Paul A Young and William Curley who recently opened a second branch in Belgravia following the success of his original Richmond shop. Melt in Notting Hill is another favourite with its chocolate shots at the bar, a kitchen-within-a-shop, children's mini masterclasses and tasting sessions. And if these still haven't satisfied that sweet tooth, head to Roald Dahl's (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) favourite chocolate shop, Prestat. The colourful treats on sale here are also a firm favourite with the Queen, they even produce their own range of patriotic chocs in special honour of Her Majesty.
London's Best Easter Bakeries
Treating yourself to some baked goodies has long been synonymous with celebrating Easter in the UK, where Hot Cross Buns, Simnel Cake and Easter biscuits have become cultural mainstays of the annual food calendar. For the most lavish spread of Easter goodies you should definitely pop into one of the six Konditor & Cook bakeries in London. The highly respected cake specialists offer a gloriously comprehensive coverage when it comes to Easter treats, including perfectly formed Hot Cross Buns, a hearty glazed Easter Stollen with almonds and cranberries, an array of bunny shaped gingerbreads and shortbreads, and some traditional Easter biscuits. This year's theme comes in the form of a a Mad Farmers Tea Party, think dancing carrots, luxurious feather eggs and hares dressed in their finest Fresian hides. Another expensive, but good, bakery for all sorts of sweet and colourful cakes is Baker & Spice, the more refined sister of the Patisserie Valerie chain. For French style biscuits and breads head to Poilane in Belgravia while the Nordic Bakery in Soho serves up huge rustic sticky cinnamon buns for just £2 or Boston cakes for 50p more. Back to a stronger Easter theme, the Euphorium Bakery sells delicious Hot Cross Buns in its seven outlets across London; while Gail's always impresses with its tasty spread of cakes, breads and biscuits so should, we hope, hit home with some traditional Easter offerings. Of course, most supermarkets now not only sell excellent Hot Cross Buns, but have also branched out with a cluster of new varieties, including extra spicy, apple & cinnamon, and date & cranberry varieties. Waitrose even has Heston Blumenthal's Fragrant Earl Grey tea-soaked buns for those who really want to push the boat out.
Hot cross buns
Traditional spiced, sticky glazed fruit buns with pastry crosses. Served as a classic Easter treat, the buns can also be enjoyed at any time of year.
local newsagents but if you really want to spoil friends and family you'll have to dig a little deeper than that. Go the extra mile this Easter and invest in a very special egg by visiting one of our Top Chocolate Shops where everything is handmade and chocolate is elevated to an art form. The list includes London's well known purveyors of fine chocolates featuring experts like Paul A Young and William Curley who recently opened a second branch in Belgravia following the success of his original Richmond shop. Melt in Notting Hill is another favourite with its chocolate shots at the bar, a kitchen-within-a-shop, children's mini masterclasses and tasting sessions. And if these still haven't satisfied that sweet tooth, head to Roald Dahl's (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) favourite chocolate shop, Prestat. The colourful treats on sale here are also a firm favourite with the Queen, they even produce their own range of patriotic chocs in special honour of Her Majesty.