Where to Get Vancouver’s Sweetest Easter Treats

From traditional hot cross buns to creative confections, here are 13 of Vancouver’s most eggcellent Easter offerings

Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie

998 Harbourside Drive, North Van; 2539 West Broadway Avenue, Vancouver

Chocoholics will already have master chocolatier Thomas Haas on their radar but this Easter there are some surprises in store. Try your luck with one of the chocolate treat-filled Surprise Eggs ($19 small, $32 medium or $49 large); or pick up a quirky chocolate duckling in a flowerpot Duck Pot ($39). Traditionalists can enjoy classic Easter bunnies  in white, milk or dark chocolate (starting at $24) or an Easter stollen, bread made from almonds, Sicilian pistachios and kirsch-soaked organic cherries ($24).

All are available at Thomas Haas in North Vancouver and Kitsilano now until Easter, with a limited selection also available in Whole Foods

A Bread Affair, 1680 Johnston Street

Even health nuts can sneak a treat at Granville Island’s A Bread Affair. B.C.’s first certified organic bakery will be serving up hot cross buns that feature a traditional style crossing paste, instead of icing, and are made using wheat from local farms in the Fraser Valley. A Bread Affair also has twice-baked coconut and ginger buns and has partnered with their neighbours Granville Island Tea Company to create a Norwegian style chai bun.

Available from the bakery now until Easter, hot cross buns cost $2.50 each or $9 for four

Thierry, 1059 Alberni Street

Ooh la la! Head downtown to stock up on classic French Easter treats from Thierry. Try dragees: pastel-coloured sugared almonds ($19.75), or treat someone (maybe even yourself) to a chocolate-filled Easter egg made with 70 per cent Guanaja chocolate by Valrhona ($15.75, available Easter weekend from Good Friday until Easter Sunday). Need a dinner party gift? Grab a box of handcrafted chocolates (from $8.95) for your host while you’re there.

Bel Café, 801 West Georgia Street

Back by popular demand, Bel Café’s hot cross buns are available now until March 27 for $2.80 each. Bel’s Pastry Chef Wayne Kozinko will also be whipping up an alternative light chocolatey treat: an entremet (French mousse style cake) made with white chocolate, Chantilly creme, coconut, ginger and yuzu ($6.20).

Available between March 21 to 27 from the café–call 604-673-7000 to pre-order

Gem Chocolates, 2029 W 41st Ave

Keep it cute with a kitschy treat from Kerrisdale’s Gem Chocolates. Here you’ll find the cutest peek-a-boo chicks filled with truffle ($24.95) and smaller treats such as dinky little Easter chicks for $7.50.

Available now until Easter

ChocolaTas, 101-31060 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford; 151-1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver

Decorate your own Easter egg with a chocolate design master class with Wim Tas from ChocolaTas at the Abbotsford location on Saturday March 19 ($25 including two eggs). Hop along to the Abbotsford or Granville Island locations to meet Sophie, Bill and Esmee–their three Easter bunnies.

Available now until Easter

Dirty Apron’s Delicatessen, 540 Beatty Street

Can’t decide between a hot cross bun and a doughnut? Don’t worry. Dirty Apron has combined the two to create a Hot Crossed Doughnut, which will be available from the deli on March 25 and the week leading up to Easter. Doughnuts are priced at $3.75 each–call 604-879-8588 to place your order as they sell like, well, hot cakes.

Chez Christophe Chocolaterie Patisserie, 4717 Hastings Street, Burnaby

Swiss-trained master confectioner Christophe Bonzon has hopped over the street to a new bigger store in Burnaby Heights. The new lineup of Easter treats includes Eggmont the Mountie, a little chick cracking its shell, Le Petit Poussin, and the Carved Egg-Within-An-Egg. All Easter chocolate eggs contain a variety of Chez Christophe’s exclusive bonbons inside.

Available now until Easter, priced from $19.95 for a small to $49.95 for a large

Coconama, 264 East 1st Street, North Van

Looking for the perfect present for chocoholics who don’t like Easter eggs? Coconama’s colourful, Japanese-inspired ganache is a pretty gift for the family. Easter baskets, including ganache, tarts and an Easter duckling, are priced at $29.98 and available from Coconama’s new North Vancouver location.

Chocolate Arts, 1620 West 3rd Avenue

Kitsilano’s Chocolate Arts has everything you need for an egg hunt this Easter, from caramel cashew eggs for $4.50 to a handcrafted bird in a nest filled with three chocolate eggs ($24.95).

All available now until Easter Sunday (if they last that long!)

Karameller, 1020 Mainland Street

Keep everyone sweet this Easter and pick up a pretty pastel-coloured jar of treats from Karameller ($10 for small and $15 for large)–inspired by Swedish hard candy (karameller), the sweeties are free from GMOs, trans-fats and high-fructose corn syrup.

Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe, 2150 Fir Street

Beaucoup is always a good bet for anyone craving a delicately sugary treat (the Valrhona chocolate brownie is a big hit any time of year). Jackie Ellis’ buttery brioche hot cross buns feature candied citrus peel from France and are available now until Easter ($2.85 each, pre-order for four or more on 604-732-4222).

Railtown Catering, 397 Railway Street

If you don’t have a sweet tooth, or you want an easy option for Easter hosting, head to Railtown Catering and pick up an Easter-To-Go package. You’ll get hearty entrees, seasonal side dishes and a classic homestyle dessert in each package and a portion of proceeds will be donated to Railtown Catering’s neighbour, Mission Possible, a non-profit organization in the Downtown Eastside. Order ready-to-eat (hot) or ready-to-bake (cold), online or by phone at (604) 568-8811 by 12 p.m. March 23.

Available March 26 to 28, in small (four to six servings) or large (10 to 12 servings) sizes for $189 (+ tax) and $299 (+ tax) respectively