When you think of Easter, what do you think of? Probably something like putting together Easter egg hunt clues, Cadbury Creme Eggs, hot cross buns and a big roast dinner that is just as hard work as Christmas dinner, but with less of the hype.
From watching bunny-themed films to creating Easter crafts, there are lots of activities that you and your family can do together at this time of year. But one of our very favourite things to do is make our own Easter egg.
Not only is it something fun to do with the whole family, but it's a budget-friendly alternative to supermarket eggs, which can end up costing quite a lot.
Whether you're keeping it traditional by heading to the kitchen and using a chocolate egg mould or by opting to paint some eggs, there are dozens of ways to make your own Easter eggs with your children.
When is Easter 2023?
We can't believe how fast this year is going already. If you want to plan ahead and start preparing for the festivities, the most important thing to know is when Easter is. This year, Easter Sunday lands on Sunday 10 April.
How to make your own Easter eggs
We love this homemade Easter egg recipe from Jamie Oliver. You may wish to follow the instructions below alone before getting your little one involved in the decorating - aka, the best bit! Remember, children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Ingredients
The best quality chocolate you can afford - the amount needed will depend on the size of your mould which will come with instructions on how much is required.
Method
- Break your chocolate into rough chunks, then finely chop it into small pieces.
- Half-fill a small pan with water and bring to a gentle simmer over a low heat. Rest a heatproof bowl on top, add the chopped chocolate to the bowl, then allow it to melt, stirring occasionally.
- Using oven gloves, remove the bowl from the heat and leave to cool to 35ºC. Check the temperature with a cooking thermometer.
- Spoon the chocolate into your mould, one tablespoon at a time, tilting the mould so the chocolate covers the surface. Don’t worry if you make a mess. Tip any excess chocolate back into the bowl.
- Allow the chocolate to cool slightly, then, using a butter knife, scrape around the rim of the mould to get a clean edge.
- Lay out some greaseproof paper and place the mould flat-side-down on top for 15 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely set.
- Meanwhile, repeat steps 4 to 6 with the second mould.
- Once the chocolate has set, repeat the process a few times until you’ve built up a layer of chocolate around ½cm thick.
- Put both moulds in the fridge for a further 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to set completely.
- To remove your eggs from their moulds, squeeze the casing gently, working your way around the edge (the warmth from your hands will help).
- Brush the remaining melted chocolate around the rim of each of the chocolate egg halves, then gently press them together so they stick in place. Leave for a few minutes until the chocolate sets, then it’s time to decorate!
How to make your own Easter egg mould
Getting hands-on with chocolate doesn't have to stop there. Want to create your mould instead of buying one? A DIY way to create an Easter egg mould is by dipping other food into chocolate.
Not only is this a tasty treat, but it's super fun to do with the kids. Marshmallows dipped in chocolate are a fantastic way to create the egg-like shape you're after. Some healthier alternatives are strawberries, melon balls, apricots and any other fruit that could be shaped into a ball
Once you've dipped the chocolate, you can even use marshmallows, fruit and sweets to decorate it.
What you'll need to make your own Easter egg
Here at Mother&Baby, we've spent hours researching the best cooking essentials and must-have arts and crafts so that you and the little ones can get right how to make your own Easter eggs as possible.
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Want to go big this Easter? How does creating your own egg that is 22cm tall sound? We think it sounds messy but amazing!
www.lakeland.co.uk
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With two large moulds and an option to create 36 mini eggs, this cheap as chips option from Lakeland is going straight into our virtual shopping basket. We love that these mini eggs can be placed inside the bigger egg too.
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From one end of the scale to the other, these dainty moulds will help your family construct some little chocolate rabbits. Expect sticky fingers from this one!
www.etsy.com
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When it comes to chocolate-making kits, this is the elite. We love that this set includes everything you could need to make your own eggs, from the moulds to sweets for decorating, but the chef's hat makes this option all the more complete.
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From large cake pops to big chocolate bombs, get your older children to help you make dessert for Easter. What a lovely way to finish the celebration!
www.notonthehighstreet.com
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If you already own a chocolate mould but want to encourage your kids to experiment with their designs, well then this chocolate decorating kit is everything. It includes two solid egg-shaped plaques of Belgian chocolate, sugar sprinkles, a small amount of chocolate to melt and a paintbrush.
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If it's a family tradition to do an Easter egg hunt, get your children involved in making the treasure inside and hide them away until the holiday. You'll love seeing their faces as they find their adorable creations.
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First up for the arts and crafts, we have these fabulous polystyrene eggs. If you want your little ones to eat less sugar or they have a dietary requirement, an activity not around food might be the perfect option. Simply get out the paints, glitter and fabrics, and encourage your children's imaginations.
www.notonthehighstreet.com
Description
What could be more fun than making and eating chocolate? Well, painting your own Easter egg is pretty much up there. We love that this craft box will fit in your letterbox and can be used as soon as you open it.