A selection of Easter gifts and recipes

Discover a range of recipe ideas and gift suggestions to make the most of Easter with a focus on delicious treats. This year, Easter falls on Sunday 21 April, providing the perfect opportunity to try Cadbury’s eggs – a legendary brand throughout Britain and Ireland – and to learn a little more about this festive occasion.

Even before Christianity arrived in Ireland, April marked the start of spring and the reawakening of nature: the time when the earth becomes fertile once more, hens start laying eggs again, and animals such as lambs are born. Easter is, of course, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection for Christians all over the world. In Ireland, on Easter Sunday, people wear new clothes and some wear a small cross made of green, yellow and white ribbons (a symbol of purity and new life). Many go to church and families then gather for a festive meal. Traditionally, Catholics do not eat meat or sweets during Lent (the 40 days before Easter), so Sunday is the day when they can eat everything again. In the past, chocolate eggs were handed out to children at the end of the meal, but this tradition has been replaced by an Easter egg hunt in houses and gardens in the morning. Just like in France, children run around looking for treats hidden by their parents! Easter Monday, 24 April 1916, marks the uprising of the Irish Citizen Army and the Irish Volunteer Force against British rule. The rebels marched down O’Connell Street in Dublin, occupied the General Post Office and announced the proclamation of the Irish Republic over the radio.

The following day, the British army launched a counter-attack, leading to six days of fierce fighting that resulted in the capture or death of the insurgents. Although this uprising was a failure for the Irish, it also marked the beginning of the organised nationalist movement and the demand for independence. That symbolic Monday was the first step towards the Republic of Ireland.

Ingredients for the brownies:

- 5 Cadbury Cream Eggs

- 85g plain flour

- 2 tablespoons Cadbury cocoa powder

- 170g Cadbury milk chocolate

- 113g butter

- 2 eggs

- 140g caster sugar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the cream filling:

- 85g golden syrup

- 25g butter

- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the chocolate filling:

- 100g milk chocolate

- 50g butter

Method:

1/ Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 20 x 20 cm baking tin.

2/ In a heavy-based saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate together over a low heat. Stir constantly and keep a close eye on the chocolate to make sure it doesn’t burn. Remove the chocolate from the heat.

3/ Beat the eggs, vanilla extract and then the sugar.

4/ Sift the flour and cocoa powder, then fold into the mixture.

5/ Pour into the tin lined with baking paper (make sure the paper overlaps the sides to leave enough space for the toppings).

6/ Place the Crème Eggs in the brownie mixture at intervals.

7/ Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes. For moist brownies, remove them just before they are fully cooked.

8/ Leave to cool.

9/ To make the cream, beat the golden syrup, butter and vanilla until smooth and well combined. Slowly add the sugar and beat until the mixture is nice and creamy.

10/ Spread over the top of the brownies and place in the fridge for about two hours.

11/ Finally, melt the butter and chocolate together in a heavy-based saucepan.

12/ Pour over the brownies and leave to set, then cut the cooled brownies into squares.

Ingredients for 4 people:

- 1/2 tablespoon of sunflower oil

- 150g of popcorn kernels

- 3 Cadbury Cream Eggs

Method:

1/ Heat the oil in a large frying pan with a lid that fits snugly over it, over a medium heat.

2/ Add the corn, cover with the lid and shake gently so that the oil coats the corn kernels.

3/ Heat until the corn kernels have finished popping.

4/ Turn off the heat, leave to rest for 20 to 30 seconds, then mix in the Cadbury eggs, which have been crushed beforehand.

5/ Tip: If you crush the eggs by hand, it’s even better to make small pieces so they mix well with the popcorn.

This Sunday, 5 April, offers another chance to treat yourself to some chocolatey treats. Eggs and chocolate are the most popular gifts given on Easter Sunday. Eggs, bars, tablets, and cocoa powder… Choose your favourite chocolate from our unique selection and let your taste buds melt with delight. According to tradition, on the morning before Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny delivers coloured or chocolate eggs. This messenger is represented by a rabbit in English-speaking regions or by a hare. Easter is also an opportunity to treat the little ones to Jomanda brand rabbit soft toys.