Mummy Is the Easter Bunny

It’s funny how Easter sneaks up on us every year. Is it because we’re too busy outside enjoying the sunshine and cheery birdsong? (Or maybe we’re too busy shovelling snow!) But if you haven’t bought the family Easter chocolate, you still have some time.

Stubbe is an Ottawa landmark with legions of faithful fans (their chocolate-covered orange peel gets rave reviews) and Laura Secord is a perennial favourite (those cream eggs are big with our little savvy testers) but there are a couple of other great places that are worth checking out if you’re still in the market for some eggs-cellent Easter goodies.

Swiss Pastries
If you can make it past the stacks of pretty Easter napkins, cookies, and authentic hot-cross buns, you’ll find tables overflowing with imported chocolate and Easter-themed candies. It’s quite a sight, those rows of foil-wrapped bunnies standing sentry over the miniature marzipan animal shapes. All are reasonably priced, and although some of the items might be unfamiliar (speckled egg-shaped gum anyone?) you can’t really go wrong. Don’t forget to pick up some windmill ginger snaps while you’re there. They are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. (And ginger is good for us, right?)

Louise’s Belgian Chocolates
This is exactly the kind of Easter chocolate we remember from when we were kids: solid chocolate pops (white, dark, milk chocolate), and cello-wrapped small-medium-large bunny shapes…as well as chocolate squirrels and chocolate owls all made from the very best chocolate. Louise’s also carries a delicious array of pastries and cakes too, a decent treat for weekend guests.

If you feel inspired to make your own Easter treat, try our easy recipe below for chocolate bird nests. They’re simple, and your kids will think you’re a genius. (Which of course you are!)

Chocolate Bird Nests
You will need:

• Cooking spray (like Pam)
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 ½ cups chow mein noodles
• Chocolate eggs or jelly beans
• Marshmallow chicks

1. Spray muffin cups with oil.
2. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. Pour melted chocolate over chow mein noodles.
3. Working quickly, put a few spoonfuls of the chocolate mixture into each cup of the muffin pan, forming little nests.
4. Put a few egg-shaped candies in each little nest.
5. Let cool. Add a marshmallow chick.