Overview
These days, Easter promises a whole lot more than just generic choccy eggs and old-school hot cross buns. Bakeries, chocolate brands and dessert shops across the city are getting more inventive with each passing year, whipping up all sorts of creative treats worthy of a spot in your own personal Easter hunt.
Here, we've rounded up some of the coolest grown-up goodies to seek out, from decadent cocktail-filled Easter rabbits to hot cross bun-inspired bao and even giant gelato eggs. Which of these creations will the Easter bunny be bringing you this year?
HOT CROSS CRUFFINS FROM LUNE CROISSANTERIE
The croissant masters at Lune have brought back their legendary hybrid Easter treat, to the delight of anyone with a penchant for buttery glazed pastry. The Hot Cross Cruffin is the limited-edition love-child of the croissant, the muffin and the hot cross bun, and features a spiced fruit creme encased within a flaky golden shell. With a cross on top, of course. They're always hot property, but this year you'll need to be especially on the ball if you want them in your life — Lune is releasing a fresh batch of pre-orders each day for its Easter products, starting from Friday, April 8. Check the website for more details, or simply race in-store to nab whatever stock's available.
HOT X DOUGHNUTS FROM RUSTICA
It's no secret the pastry chefs at Rustica know their way around a brioche doughnut, having served up some of the city's finest. So you can imagine the goodness in store for you when you secure a six-pack of their latest seasonal release — the hot cross bun doughnut. It features a ball of that signature fried dough, filled with a creme patissiere of brandy, vanilla and cardamom, and spiked with dried fruit. A liberal dusting of cardamom sugar and a white chocolate cross over the top, and you've got yourself a pretty plush alternative to the usual fruit bun. You'll just need to remember to order yours two days before delivery or pick-up.
MORK X BUNS FROM MORK CHOCOLATE
These hot crossed creations from Mork Chocolate are fast becoming an annual favourite, reimagining the humble Easter bun as an orange-scented Swedish-style cinnamon roll. The Mörk X Buns are sticky and buttery, crammed full of the kitchen's secret spiced fruit blend, along with extra hits of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Best enjoyed warmed up, the signature treats are available now to pre-order and pick-up from the North Melbourne Brew House or the CBD store. And if you prefer your Easter treats in choccy form, Mork's also released a couple of new bean-to-bar eggs and 'morsels' that are well worth a taste test.
BOOZY BUNNY HAMPERS FROM KOKO BLACK
Renowned Aussie chocolate brand Koko Black has always had strong game when it comes to Easter treats. But this year, it's going one step further for its grown-up fans, adding a series of boozy hampers to its seasonal range. Each box comes packed with a selection of signature choccy eggs, plus a couple of hollow chocolate bunnies and a pack of jarred espresso martinis from Melbourne Martini. Combine the latter two, pop in a straw and you've got yourself an adult Easter concoction to beat them all. Choose from a dark chocolate pack, a milk chocolate version, or one starring three different varieties.
GELATO EASTER EGGS FROM PICCOLINA
Piccolina Gelateria is celebrating Easter in signature style — marking the occasion with a line of limited-edition gelato treats. Only this year, it's unveiled some brand new varieties of its much-loved, giant gelato Easter eggs (Uova di Pasqua). Available now in-store and online, you'll find the Caramello — filled with caramel popcorn semifreddo, crunchy chocolate pearls and sea salted caramel gelato — the hazelnut-centric Ferrerolina with its gianduja ganache core, and a riff on the classic Easter bun featuring hot cross bun gelato and raspberry jam. They're hand-wrapped and presented in cute retro tins, with each egg clocking in at $39 and designed to feed two to three people. If you can manage to share, that is.
EASTER BONBONS FROM YUGEN TEA BAR
South Yarra's contemporary tea bar Yugen has channelled its talents into creating a trio of limited-edition Easter-themed bonbons that are almost too pretty to eat. The dainty chocolates include a hot cross bun-inspired creation crowned with a tell-tale white cross; a lemon and vanilla treat decorated like an adorable baby chick; and a carrot, ginger and walnut bonbon emblazoned with a tiny carrot. A box of nine comes in at $31. If you're quick, there's also the Lily Tart ($16), crafted with spiced milk chocolate, coconut and mango jam, and created in the shape of a delicate Easter egg-filled nest.
HOT CROSS BAO FROM DIN TAI FUNG
Dumpling house Din Tai Fung is celebrating Easter with a multicultural mash-up that's sure to delight any sweet-toothed folk — these rather charming hot cross bun-inspired bao. A nod to the traditional Easter bun, the pillowy little beauties are made with steamed bread and filled with oozing molten Nutella, each one finished with a sweet white cross. Available for a limited time on the menu at Din Tai Fung's Emporium restaurant, they'll set you back $6.80 for a serve of two. Otherwise, you can extend the Easter vibes well into May by stocking up on a bag of three frozen hot cross bao, delivered to your door for $10.
HOT CROSS DOUGHNUTS FROM SHORTSTOP
One of Shortstop's best-loved seasonal treats is the one that makes an appearance every Easter — the smash-hit hot cross doughnut. A hole-y riff on the traditional bun, it's made using a spiced dough that's spiked with loads of brandy-soaked fruit, with each doughnut dunked in a sweet honey glaze and topped with the all-important cinnamon sugar cross. As always, these return favourites are here for a good time, but not a long time — the ovens are churning out fresh batches on the daily, only until Monday, April 18. Stock up in-store, or head to the website to pre-order a few for pick-up or home-delivery.
Top Image: Mork X Buns