Nothing says Easter like Cadbury

Easter will soon be upon us. I love Easter because it means we have yet another excuse to do some fun things together as a family. Every year I plan an elaborate Easter Egg Hunt for the kids (I say kids but most of them are now officially adults - but they still love my hunts with cryptic clues, physical challenges and puzzles to solve!) We have a big vegetarian roast dinner and eat lots of chocolate. Perfect!

I like to stock up on plenty of chocolate treats in the run up to Easter. This year, Cadbury have a great range of  chocolatey goodies, which the Easter Bunny will be proud to deliver. From favourites such as Mini Eggs to the eggscellent Egg Hunt Pack to popping candy chocolate bunnies, there is something for everyone. Large individual Easter Eggs are available in lots of different varieties from Cadbury Buttons to Creme Egg. I love the mini filled eggs that come in a range of flavours including my favourites Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo and Daim. The Cadbury Dairy Milk Spring Edition is a lovely seasonal twist on the classic bar. With prices to suit all budgets and varieties to suit most tastes, Cadbury have Easter covered. 

You can come up with some lovely activities for the family such as a simple Easter Egg hunt for younger children, where you hide the eggs around the garden for them to find and pop in a basket. Or use them as prizes in an Easter quiz or rewards for completing a more complicated challenge! However you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a lot of fun and enjoy indulging in some yummy treats!

Some Fun Easter Facts from Cadbury

• 255,000 Cadbury Easter Eggs are made at the Bournville factory every day
• That is 10,625 Cadbury Easter Eggs made per hour or 177 per minute!
• If you stacked every Cadbury Easter Egg made at Bournville every day on top of each other you’d have a tower of Cadbury Eggs as high as 305 Big Bens!
• Over 83 million Easter Eggs are sold in the UK over the Easter season, with the Cadbury Creme Egg being the most popular.
• Over 300 million Cadbury Creme Eggs are made every year, with about two thirds of that number being enjoyed in the UK – that is 3.5 Cadbury Creme Eggs for every man, woman and child in the country to enjoy!

This year, the Cadbury Easter Bunny is inviting families to come together and take part in some eggsciting egg hunts across the country.  Cadbury is teaming up with the National Trust to offer families the ultimate day out with more than 300 Cadbury Easter Egg hunts being activated across various sites in the lead up to Easter. With over 300 egg hunts to choose from across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, Cadbury will be sure to help families have a fun-filled Easter. 

To find out more and discover a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at a National Trust property near you, visit: www.cadbury.co.uk/easter

We're having a Jelly Easter with Hartley's Jelly

Forget the chocolate this Easter and enjoy a lighter way to satisfy your sweet tooth with Hartley's Jelly.  It's easy to make jelly in an Easter themed mould to create eggs and bunnies that the kids will enjoy.

It's easy to make jelly in the microwave - I just put in the block and cover with cold water and then microwave for about a minute until melted.  Then I top it up with cold water to just under a pint. (Using sparkling water makes a lovely fizzy jelly when set!)

Pop it in the fridge until set, then release from the mould. If the jelly sticks run some hot water over the mould.

I was pretty impressed with my jelly bunny.  Unfortunately my eggs were not quite as good, but Freddy enjoyed them nevertheless!

I hope you all enjoy a really Happy Easter!

Hartleys sent me some jelly and moulds for this post.

What Fred Said About Jesus and the Crucifixion

So Freddy just said to his dad:

"Did you know that Jesus drowned on the cross?" 

Sadly, this was not a case of my child getting the wrong end of the stick.

No.

He was able to go into graphic detail about how crucifixion kills you, including the fact that your lungs fill with fluid because you are unable to breathe properly, which causes drowning from the inside. He also explained how whipping someone with a rope whip, made with shards of bones attached, rips flesh and skin from the bones and that this is a very painful way to die.

It was the local reverend who explained the graphic horrors of crucifixion to my 5 year old during the annual Easter church service. I thought they'd be hearing a child friendly version of the Easter story, not a certificate 18 one.

I had hoped that the words would wash over him, in one ear and out the other, but Freddy, with his sponge-like thirst for knowledge, had taken in every detail of what was said. He just loves facts! He'll happily tell you about it in the same way he will tell you about magnets or the water cycle or whatever else he has just learned from Nina and the Neurons.

Even though he doesn't seem upset by what he heard, I am trying to counteract it with stories of Easter bunnies, fluffy chicks, chocolate eggs and bright yellow daffodils. After all, I don't want him thinking about executions while tucking into his Creme Eggs this year.

Poundland Easter Egg Hunt

As a Poundland Ambassador, I was challenged to do an Easter Egg Hunt for my little ones with a £20 budget, buying items from Poundland's own seasonal range.

As ever, I was impressed with the range available all for just one pound each!  I filled my basket up with lots of goodies: 

Easter Egg Hunt kit

Easter bucket

18 fillable plastic eggs 

novelty chalks

Easter craft kits

Easter decorations

cupcake box

bunny ears

Cadbury's Caramel eggs

Cadbury's Buttons Easter egg

Smarties Mini eggs

Haribo Easter sweets

Milky Bar Easter Egg

bunny footprint stickers

egg stickers

egg stakes

 Unfortunately the weather has not been conducive with Easter Egg hunts (snowball fights would be more appropriate) so we had an indoor egg hunt instead.  I loved the cute animal design signs and colourful numbered egg tokens that made a trail around the house for Freddy (dressed as an Easter chick) and Kizzy (with bunny ears) to follow.  The bunny footprints were a nice touch adding some magic.  We filled the fillable plastic eggs with mini eggs and hid them too for Freddy to find and pop into his Easter bucket.

He had fun gathering his loot with his big sister.  The four colourful egg tokens were exchanged for a Cadbury Easter egg which Freddy was was very chuffed with!  It's a shame that this year's weather is so horrible as it put pay to my idea of doing Easter pavement art with the carrot shaped novelty chalks, and decorating the lawn with the decorative egg stakes as the kids searched for the clues that would lead to their Easter goodies. But we did the best we could, and it was great fun!  Indoors or out, Poundland's range of Easter treats allowed us the have some seasonal fun without spending a fortune.

www.poundland.co.uk

Lindt at Easter and a Lindor Brownie Recipe

I make no secret that Lindt Lindor are one of my favourite chocolates and my husband knows that any special occasion calls for a box of Lindor.  I love the melt in the mouth, smooth chocolate centres and the creamy milk chocolate shells. (My mouth is watering as I think about how lush they are!!)  So when I was sent some Easter Chocolates from Lindt I was a very happy bunny!

The Lindt Lindor Easter Egg is luxuriously presented with its red bow and golden foil and accompanied by eight of the gorgeous little Lindor eggs (RRP £10.29).  The famous Lindt Gold Bunnies (£2.99) with their golden bells tied around their necks are simply synonymous with Easter and a perfect treat for the kids (to keep them away from my egg!!) Lindt chocolate is very creamy and smooth and my children love it.

We were challenged to come up with a recipe using Lindt chocolate, so if there is any left after Easter it can be used as an ingredient for baking up something delicious in the kitchen.  Ably assisted by Ella, we came up with this recipe for Lindor Brownies!

185g unsalted butter

185g dark chocolate

85g plain flour

40g cocoa powder

4 Lindor eggs chopped

50g of chopped pecan nuts

3 large free range eggs

275g golden caster sugar

• Put butter into a bowl with  dark chocolate cut into small pieces. Microwave for about 2 minutes on High. Leave the melted mixture to cool.
• Meanwhile pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4 or 180 degrees, and prepare a 20cm square silicone tin.
• Break the large free range eggs into  bowl with golden caster sugar. With an electric mixer, whisk until very thick and creamy. 
• Pour the cooled chocolate mixture into the sugar/egg mix, then gently fold together.
• Sieve in the cocoa and flour and gently fold in.  Then fold in the Lindor chunks and chopped nuts.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.
• Put in the oven for 25 minutes until the brownie has a papery top and doesn't wobble when gentle shaken.
• Leave to cool and then cut into squares.  Enjoy :)

The finished brownie was moist, sticky, chocolatey, rich and melted in the mouth, just like a good brownie should!  Its success has made me keen to experiment with different confectionery items to add a twist to this family favourite.  

See all the Lindt products and buy them online at www.lindt-shop.co.uk

I was supplied with the chocolate  for this recipe.

Hop To Aldi For Some Cracking Easter Goodies!

It's the time of year where the word chocolate is on everybody's lips...quite literally!  And as ever with Aldi's quality products at great value prices, you don't need to spend a fortune to give the kids a fabulous time!  With everything from luxury chocolate eggs, to cream filled mini eggs to foil wrapped bunnies, Aldi has it all at a fraction of the price of the big brands.

We were sent a delightful Easter Basket packed with a selection from Aldi's Easter goodies range.

Choceur Marzipan Egg 100g - available in classic, rum & raisin and Hazelnut praline flavours-  69p 

Dairyfine Milk Chocolate Eggs 180g - individually wrapped containing a popping candy surprise centre! Available in strawberry and milk cream flavours - £1.29

Dairyfine Mini Bunnies & Eggs 70/90g - A net of individually foil wrapped mini eggs or bunnies, perfect for the kids! - 59p

Choceur Marzipan Mini Eggs 200g - Milk and dark covered marzipan eggs are something a bit different to enjoy this Easter.  Very moreish! - £1.49

Choceur Filled Mini Eggs 280g - Luxurious filled, individually wrapped mini eggs in five different varieties: almond, cocoa mousse, hazelnut, strawberry and vanilla. - £1.89

Dairyfine Hollow Easter Treasures 100g - Keep your little chicks happy with fun chicks, bunnies and eggs, perfect for Easter Egg Hunts! - 99p

Dairyfine Solid Easter Treasures 100g - Chicks, lambs and Bunnies in solid chocolate! - 99p

Dominion Easter Marshmallows 225g- fluffy pink and white bunny shaped marshmallows make a great alternative to chocolate! - 99p

Aldi also stock some larger Easter goodies.  The Choceur Easter Bunny with his smart bow and golden foil is  just 99p, a fraction of the price of the leading brand!  Kids will love the Dairyfine Milk Chocolate Bunny with his cheeky smile, and parents will love that he costs just 79p!

The Choceur Flame Egg (350g) is a luxurious treat with a high quality, thick chocolate egg enclosed in decadent gold foil containing a selection of delicious milk and white chocolates.  It's finished off with a golden bow!  It looks posh but it costs just £2.99!

Having sampled a few of the treats, the kids announced that their overall favourite was the Easter Marshmallows which were really light, fluffy and tasty.  The bag was huge!  Great value at just 99p.  The chocolate goodies were all comparable to many of the leading brands on the market, with a good, creamy texture and chocolately taste!  The variety of treats available means you'll find something to suit everyone's tastes, with lots of unusual and original flavours.  

So whether you are planning a fabulous Easter Egg Hunt for the kids, hosting a party or want to treat your loved ones, it is worth hopping down to Aldi.  The Easter Range is seasonal and available until Easter while stocks last.

Find out more at aldi.co.uk

Cracking Easter Bargains with Poundworld

Poundworld is one of the UK's leading single priced retailers, selling everything for just £1.  With over 120 stores nationwide, there's sure to be one near you, which is great news as they have some amazing Easter bargains going "cheep"!

We were sent a brilliant bag filled with Easter goodies and I was really impressed with the quality and range.

Whether you are looking for traditional chocolate eggs, arts and crafts sets to keep the kids busy or fun novelty Easter gifts you will find everything you could wish for, all for the bargain price of just a pound.

We loved the fancy straw hat and the Easter bonnet decorating kit, both £1 each.  The cute straw style hat is the perfect size for little heads.  The ribbon trim detail is very pretty.  You can add your own personal touch to it to create an Easter bonnet using the decorating kit which contains embellishments, ribbon and bits and bobs.  A fun activity for children to do over Easter.

The Make Your Own Easter Cards Kit has everything you need to make six cards to give to family and friends.  The cute toppers are really lovely.  The Easter Poster Art Set comes with a palette of paints, a brush and a pre-printed canvas so your children can create their very own Easter themed works of art.  The Easter Egg Hunt set comes with cardboard baskets to collect goodies.  A real fun traditional Easter activity!

The Easter Eggs feature a whole host of lovable characters that kids will love from Peppa Pig to Disney Princesses.  You can buy four eggs for just £3. The kids will love them.

Or how about this cute foil wrapped chocolate Easter bunny?  Kids will love to find him on Easter Sunday.  

Your little ones can dress up as an Easter Bunny themselves with these fluffy and fun bunny ears.  They are available in pink or yellow.  They are so cute.

Easter is not complete without Easter chicks!  This collection of fluffy, yellow chicks make perfect decorations, cake toppers or can be used in an egg hunt.  Going 'cheep' at just £1 for a dozen.

With so many lovely things you'll be able to throw a fabulous Easter party or simply give the kids an Easter filled with fun activities, without spending a fortune.  My children love spending the long Easter weekend doing arts and crafts, taking part in Easter Egg hunts and munching on chocolate treats.  With our Poundworld goodies they will have an amazing time.

*No compensation was received for this post.*