With spring comes all sorts of seasonal eats. From egg-cellent uses of the crave-worthy mini egg in pies and boozy shakes to swirls of pastel "unicorn poop" and cream-filled Sugar Bunnies, or macarons to the humble Hot Cross Bun, there is something for every sweet tooth in town.
Across Metro Vancouver, chocolatiers and bakers are giving the Easter Bunny a helping hand with their creative concoctions, taking the simple Easter Basket to new levels (with room for plenty of classics in-between).
Here are 15 places to find epic Easter treats and sweets in Metro Vancouver right now.
East Van Roasters
Photo courtesy East Van Roasters
Easter treats that do some real good in Vancouver? Yes: East Van Roasters' artisanal chocolate goods are made bean-to-bar (or egg) by this certified charity and social enterprise operated by the PHS Community Services Society, using only organic, fair and direct-trade chocolate. Look for seasonal eggs with Passion Fruit caramel, Pecan Praline, or Malted Ganache, as well as chocolate bunnies and Easter chocolate pops.
Chez Christophe
Photo courtesy Chez Christophe
What's cuter than a bunny's fluffy tail? How about chocolate treats made to look like cotton-tailed hoppers!? Chez Christophe has amped up the cute and creative factor for Easter, showcasing sweet critters like Gigi the Farmhouse Hen, a contemporary signature egg, a "Lapin" carrot cake and more in their impressive Easter 2019 collection.
The Pie Hole
Photo via The Pie Hole
Easter has the bakers at The Pie Hole hopping with excitement over their four seasonal specials. Don't miss the epic Mini Egg Chocolate Cream Pie, Strawberry or Lemon Peep pies, and the Granola Triple Berry Crumble. Place your orders so you don't miss out.
Purdys
Photo courtesy Purdys
I don't know about you, but the Easter Bunny always got their chocolate treats for me from Purdys. Smart bunny, because Purdys' Easter chocolates and confections are reliably awesome, and classically sweet. Look for their lineup of charming milk, dark, or white chocolate bunnies, bunny chocolate pops, candy-coated eggs, foil-wrapped eggs, and seasonal packaging and baskets for assorted treats, truffles, chocolate pieces and more.
Thierry
Photo courtesy Thierry
Hop on over to Thierry to find gorgeous gourmet French chocolate treats, like gift baskets, Easter eggs and bunnies, seasonal macarons inspired by spring, chocolate farm animals, and beautiful springtime cakes.
Fable Diner
Toasty Bunny Boozy Shake at Fable Diner. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross
Whether you're hitting up Fable Diner for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner this spring, you can hop on board the Easter sweets train with their Toasty Bunny Boozy Shake. This grown-ups only treat features creme de cacao, vanilla vodka, vanilla ice cream, toasted marshmallow whip with chocolate sauce, and is garnished with mini chocolate eggs.
Grounds for Coffee
Photo via Grounds for Coffee Vancouver
You gotta hop fast to catch the limited edition Easter bunny buns at Grounds for Coffee. From April 19 to April 22 they'll have their fabulous Rainbow Easter Bunny Buns. You'll get 8 adorable mini buns in all your favourite pastels.
Temper
Jamie Lauren Photography. Photo courtesy Temper
West Vancouver's Temper makes some of the most eye-catching treats around, and for Easter they will have you chasing their stunning Unicorn Eggs: You'll have to call to reserve one of them, as it's a limited run. They'll also have a variety of chocolate eggs, including hollow eggs packed with mini eggs, caramel eggs, peanut butter eggs, and more. Plus, they'll have Hot Cross Buns for the season.
Giovane café + eatery + market at Fairmont Pacific Rim
Photo courtesy Fairmont Pacific Rim
At Giovane café + eatery at Fairmont Pacific Rim, their swoon-worthy sugar buns have sprouted ears to take on a new identity as Sugar Bunnies for the Easter season. Festively adorned in adorable spring colours of pink, green or yellow, the trademark confectionary has a classic vanilla Chantilly cream filling inside and is available for purchase from April 15 to 22 for $7 each.
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons
For a limited time, British Columbians can enjoy a donut with Cadbury Mini Eggs nestled in the middle topped with cheerful pink, white and yellow sprinkles. The second Cadbury Mini Eggs donut is only available at participating Tim Hortons restaurants. It features an adorable Timbit bunny in the donut hole, which comes complete with Cadbury Mini Eggs ears and an adorable little bunny face. Also, the rest of the donut is covered in vibrant green sprinkles.
Beaucoup Bakery
Photo courtesy Beaucoup Bakery
Vancouver's Beaucoup Bakery is keeping it classic this Easter with their traditional Hot Cross Buns. Give them a call if you want to order a batch for your holiday table, as this limited edition item always goes fast.
Mon Paris Patisserie
Photo courtesy Mon Paris
Burnaby's Mon Paris has charming chocolates and cakes for the season, including a decadent Easter Mille-Feuille Cake, a variety of dark and milk chocolate eggs, a Red Velvet egg, and a white chocolate Easter chick.
Well Seasoned
Photo courtesy Well Seasoned
Langley's favourite gourmet food store is definitely in the seasonal spirit. Their Easter-time offerings include Fruity Pebbles Cereal Squares, Mini Egg Ready-to-Eat Cookie Dough, Unicorn Poop (pastel meringues), and cookie kits for at-home fun.
Honey Salt and The Victor
Photo courtesy Honey Salt
New to the Honey Salt dessert menu, and featured at both Honey Salt and The Victor over Easter weekend, is the charming new Carrot Cake dessert. Dig up a crave-worthy mini-carrot made of carrot cake and cheesecake cream that's been potted in "cookie soil," served alongside vanilla gelato and topped with edible lady bugs. Adorable and infinitely edible, too.
Ladurée
Photo courtesy Ladurée Canada
Not surprisingly, Easter at Vancouver's outposts of France's Ladurée is all about the spring flavours and pastel colours. Look for special seasonal cakes, and macaron collections in the prettiest of packaging, including springtime Yuzu macarons.
With files from Elana Shepert
