NoBunny Knows Easter Better than Cadbury Creme Eggs

You’ve seen the commercial, you’ve seen them in stores, and you’ve probably eaten a ton since you were a kid.  You know its Easter when Cadbury Crème Eggs make their annual appearance.  No kid’s basket would be complete without them. But from bunny to Britain, they’ve traveled a long way to become a part of our annual Easter feast.

Cadbury Crème Eggs are an egg shaped chocolate candy, filled with thick white cream and yellow fondant to resemble the inside of a real egg.  The candy makes an annual appearance shortly after New Years and stays on store shelves until they sell out after Easter.

To this day, my mother still runs to the drug store and picks up several packages for me.  When I take that first bite, it’s a sign that the winter is about to come to an end and spring is here.  To me, they are the ultimate treat.  They’re more than just a chocolaty snack and they’ve taken quite a journey to get on to our store shelves.

The original Cadbury Crème Egg was first manufactured by the Cadbury Brothers in the United Kingdom in 1923.  (The Cadbury Chocolate company was founded in the 1800’s there.)  After going through some major modifications, they were introduced to the United States in 1971.  The original British design, had 171 calories and weighed 1.4 ounces.

The eggs are usually sold individually, but can also be purchased in packs for four.  Larger bulk packs and cases are also available at warehouse clubs.

Thanks to an episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien, actor BJ Novack (Ryan from The Office) drew attention to the fact that the American version were getting smaller in size.  Originally, Cadbury’s website claimed that they were not getting smaller, just that “you were growing up.”  However, the company has altered their site to confirm that the eggs are getting smaller in size.  According to online reports, before 2006 they were listed as weighing 39 grams.  Now, they only weigh 34 grams according to their packaging.

Also according to that same report, last year the Canadian version was also reduced in size.  However, the company has announced there are no plans to change the size in their home country of Britain.

The eggs are produced by Cadbury in the United Kingdom and sold by Kraft Foods.  Recently in the United States, Hershey’s has obtained the rights to manufacture and sell them.  Many of the US eggs are manufactured in Hazelton, Pennsylvania.

The eggs are created by forming the outer layer as two half chocolate shells.  The shells are then filled with the white fondant and then topped with a smaller amount of yellow fondant.  The halves are cooled and the egg is then wrapped in the trademark foil.

The yellow and white fondant is basically a thick, sweet icing made of sugar.  A caramel version is also available with nothing but caramel on the inside.

Other than reducing the size, the recipe has basically remained the same since they were reintroduced to the US.  However, other varieties and flavors have come and gone over the years.  Mini eggs are about a quarter of the size and are still available.  A different mini egg version similar to M&M’s have also been sold. Versions filled with caramel, chocolate, orange crème, and mint have also come and gone.

At one point, McDonald’s in the UK, Ireland, and Canada also featured a Cadbury McFlurry desert, which was the chocolate egg, fondant, and ice cream mix blended together.

Since 1982, the commercials in the US have featured the classic clucking Cadbury Bunny.  He is basically a white rabbit that makes a clucking sound like a chicken and would leave behind the eggs.  A clucking bunny – a little crazy, but this ad works!

Up until 1993, a new commercial featuring other animals auditioning to be the bunny premiered.  This same spot has now become a yearly tradition, although it has been slightly updated a few times.

My favorite part is the cat… “buck meow, buck meow!”

A spin-off commercial was also created with a black bunny for the new chocolate eggs and a larger tan rabbit for the caramel eggs.  The ads have since reverted back to the classic audition spot.

The ads were originally voiced by actor Mason Adams, who was famous for his Smuckers commercials.  Since his death, a new unknown voice over artist has updated the voiceover.  The end has been updated with the new look for the wrapper and changed to promote not just the eggs, but Hershey’s Easter candies in general.  It’s also been cut down by several seconds.

The classic tag line: “Nobunny knows better than Cadbury” has been changed to “Nobunny knows Easter better than Hershey’s.”

Advertising overseas for the product is much different.  Everything from animated eggs to rock songs are used.

Check this out… One ingenious promotion in the United Kingdom, allows passengers waiting at a bus stop to use a touch screen right on the shelter to splat as many eggs as they can.  I’m surprised these interactive ads have yet to make an appearance in the US.  You can bet some company will and it’s just a simple touch screen and computer.

So here’s my simple solution for storing and enjoying these way past Easter… just put them on the top shelf in your fridge.  As long as they stay cool, they will keep for well over a year.  When I have company over, they’ve been known to swipe a crème egg or two once in a while.  You never know when you’ll get in the mood for one.  Who cares if it’s Easter or the 4^th of July?  You deserve a treat!

And just in case you miss out on purchasing your eggs this year, Hershey manufactures several other candy bars under the Cadbury name, some with special flavors that are on sale year round.

THE 411

What: Cadbury Crème Eggs

Manufactured by: Hershey’s Chocolate company

Nutrition Info: each egg has 150 calories and 6g of fat

Cost: usually around 69 cents a piece

JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS – Absolutely hit the stores and pick yourself up a four pack.  They are a great chocolate treat and they’re not too bad for you fat and calorie wise.  As with everything – it’s OK in moderation.

If you’re not a fan of the original fondant version, go for the caramel… also quite succulent!  Hopefully, Hershey will roll out some other new flavors as well next year — they have in the past.