Italy’s Chocolate Eggs and Colomba

What is Easter in Italy, you ask? Well, in short, it means lots and lots of delicious treats! The most special one is their colomba pasquale — a dove-shaped breadcake filled with candied sugar and covered with sugar and almonds. The dove (as we know) signifies peace and rebirth.

Large chocolate eggs are an Italian Easter classic, AKA Uova di Pasqua, filled with hidden candy, toys or messages. An Easter holiday present like the original Italian Easter eggs from Venchi is something your whole family will love.

The UK’s Ever So Famous Hot Cross Buns

In the UK, Easter wouldn’t be the same without hot cross buns, which are spiced sweet buns made with currants or raisins and marked with a cross on the top. These little loaves, meant to be enjoyed on Good Friday — ideally served hot or toasted with butter for breakfast (delicious, right?) — symbolise Christ’s crucifixion. It’s an English tradition that goes back hundreds of years and is loved by millions all over England. Legend says that if you share a bun with a friend, you will remain friends with them throughout the next year.

Greek Tsoureki and Koulouria

Tsoureki is a very rich, braided sweet bread made with mahlab and decorated with brun eggs. You should smell it; it’s heavenly! The bread is baked in Greek homes, and a piece is shared among family members, serving as a symbol of the resurrection. And, if you’re one with a sweet tooth, you’re sure to love koulouria, which are cookies made with orange zest. Greek biscuits hit the perfect sweet note, making them ideal for an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee ortea.

France’s Chocolate Treats

Easter in France is all about indulging, and what is better to indulge in than chocolate, right? The French love their chocolate in all shapes, sizes, and textures, ganache, truffles, mousse, bonbons (you name it),  but there's really no one preference. So chocolatiers begin their elaborately decorated eggs, bunnies and other sugar-based sculptures, which you can see in every boulangerie or local chocolatier.

They also have two kinds of chocolate at this time of year: blanc or lait. French Easter eggs and bunnies are typically medium-dark milk chocolate, sculpted into elaborate, hollow egg shapes, sometimes marbled with darker chocolate. Sometimes, the halves in their velvet-lined box sit on an elegant chocolate nest, tied in place with ribbons.

Poland’s Babka and Mazurek

Mazurek is a rich, flat shortcrust-cardamom pastry usually topped with chocolate, almond paste, dried fruit, or nuts and is a staple Easter dessert in the country. Babka, a sweet yeast cake, is also a tradition, but it can come in many different forms. It is usually made with dried fruits and spices and either dusted with icing sugar or fully covered in chocolate.

Easter Food Around the World

Easter is the time for get togethers, celebrations and food discovery. No matter where in the world you are, look around, and you will see Easter celebrations marked with people cooking symbolic ancient dishes to celebrate their cultures and customs.