Sugar Rush: What's In Your Basket?

By Hanna Aronovich in Food on Mar 20, 2006 6:10PM

Chicagoist isn’t much on religion. With mom and dad from two different backgrounds, we were rockin’ Christmukah before Seth Cohen popularized the term. And with Easter coming up, we’re less concerned about the resurrection of Christ, and much, much more geared up over Easter candy.

Since February 15, the stores have been overflowing with displays of pastel-colored treats. Chicagoist’s longtime favorite Cadbury Creme Eggs are back in the traditional flavor, as well as caramel, chocolate and miniatures. Popular candy bars also jump on the Easter egg band wagon with Snickers, Butterfinger, Crunch and Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. Peeps, of course, make a triumphant return, as do several varieties of Brach’s eggs and Spring-colored M&Ms. There are even Conversation Eggs by Necco, the people who bring you Conversation Hearts. The choices are endless.

Chicagoist has trouble limiting ourselves when it comes to sugar, so we’ve been consuming any and every type of Easter treat in preparation for the holiday. Seems we’re not alone, either. According to the National Confectioners Association, Americans consume about 7 billion pounds of Easter candy (about $2 billion worth) each year, making it No. 2 behind Halloween candy. With more than 700 million Peeps bought annually, the marshmallow animals are the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy.

But what is the all-time ultimate Easter candy? It’s a tough call, and one with many strong, opposing opinions we’re sure.

So, we throw it out there: What’s your favorite Easter candy? Can you make a Cadbury egg omelet? What’s your favorite way to eat a chocolate bunny? And, perhaps most importantly, what happens when your army of Peeps revolts?