What’s Hot This Easter: Trends, Treats & Upcoming Events You Can’t Miss!

Welcome to this week's edition of GRATE,

your go-to source for the latest in food innovation.

As Easter approaches, the confectionery landscape is a buzz with creativity, blending tradition with modern twists. This season, several notable trends are shaping the Easter confectionery market:

Pistachio-Flavoured Delights: The popularity of pistachio-infused chocolates has led to an influx of pistachio-flavoured Easter eggs, offering consumers a luxurious and nutty twist on traditional treats.

Boozy Confections: Adult-oriented Easter treats, such as Aldi's Infusionist Coffee & Caramel Egg-Fusion Martini Duo, combine confectionery with popular alcoholic beverages, catering to mature palates.

Nostalgic Flavours: Brands are tapping into nostalgia by incorporating familiar flavours like custard creams into their Easter offerings, exemplified by M&S's Outrageously Chocolatey Custard Cream Biscuity Egg.

Innovative Shapes and Textures: Retailers are experimenting with unique shapes and textures, moving beyond traditional egg forms to create visually striking and texturally diverse products.

Luxury Collaborations: High-end brands, such as Louis Vuitton, are entering the confectionery space, offering exclusive and opulent Easter treats that blend fashion with gourmet experiences.

Additionally, don't miss our "Dates for Your Diary" section, highlighting upcoming events to keep on your radar.

As always, enjoy the read, and keep your feedback coming, 

Annie x

LOUIS VUITTON'S CHOCOLATE EGG BAG

The luxury fashion house ventures into gourmet confections with an opulent Easter creation. Designed to resemble Louis Vuitton's iconic handbag, blending haute couture with culinary art. Crafted from 70% dark chocolate with a roasted hazelnut filling, offering a rich and indulgent experience. It features intricate details, including the brand’s monogram pattern and milk chocolate handles and zipper pulls. Offered exclusively at select Louis Vuitton stores in Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, and New York, enhancing its exclusivity. Priced at £189, catering to luxury consumers seeking unique Easter gifts.

M&S OUTRAGEOUSLY CHOCOLATEY CUSTARD CREAM BISCUITY EGG

M&S pays homage to a beloved British biscuit with this decadent Easter offering. The Biscuit-Inspired Shape mimics the iconic custard cream, appealing to nostalgic consumers. It features a hollow milk chocolate shell embedded with crunchy biscuit pieces and is filled with a luscious white chocolate & custard truffle, enhancing the flavour profile. It has became a sensation on TikTok, with users praising its innovative design and taste.  It's also suitable for vegetarians, broadening its appeal.

PISTACHIO - FLAVOURED DELIGHTS

The rising popularity of pistachio-infused chocolates, fuelled in part by the viral success of the Dubai chocolate bar trend, has inspired an influx of pistachio-flavoured Easter eggs. These indulgent, nutty creations offer a luxurious twist on traditional Easter treats, appealing to consumers seeking unique and premium chocolate experiences.

M&S EXTREMELY LEMONY CURD FILLED HOT CROSS BUNS

Marks & Spencer has reimagined the classic hot cross bun with a zesty twist and leads the way as the first retailer to introduce an injected lemon curd hot cross bun, setting a new trend for Easter baked goods These fluffy buns are infused with a tangy lemon curd, offering a refreshing departure from traditional spiced fruit fillings. This launch coincides with the 50th anniversary of M&S's hot cross buns, marking a milestone with innovation. The buns have been flying off the shelves, indicating strong customer approval.

ALDI'S INFUSIONIST COFFEE & CARAMEL EGG-FUSION MARTINI DUO

Aldi introduces a grown-up twist to Easter confections, merging chocolate with a classic cocktail. It includes a Belgian milk chocolate egg infused with caramel pieces and ground coffee, accompanied by a ready-to-drink espresso martini cocktail can. The chocolate egg offers a subtle caffeine boost, appealing to coffee enthusiasts. Priced at £9.99, providing a premium experience without breaking the bank. It has gained attention for its unique combination, resonating with adult consumers seeking novel Easter treats. And it's made with Fairtrade Belgian chocolate, supporting ethical production.