Where does the Easter Bunny shop?
What's an Easter basket without jelly beans?
Mary Beth wrote us recently with a question about where to pick up Easter treats in the Capital Region.
For some, the best part about Easter is the basket delivered by the Easter Bunny. Might you consider a post where the Easter Bunny shops in the Capital District?
While we can't say we've ever met the Easter Bunny in person, we were happy to take one for the team and go candy shopping.
Mary Beth had some pretty good suggestions of her own, like Patty the Peppermint Bunny from Red Thread Confections (based in Slingerlands) and the bunnies at Krauses on Central Ave in Colonie. But she was looking for a few other ideas.
Here's what we found. We know there's a lot more, so let us know about your favorites.
Bunnies at the Gecko
The Chocolate Gecko on Colvin Ave in Albany seemed to have one of the best collections of chocolate bunnies we've seen. They've got all kinds of shapes and sizes in dark, milk and white chocolate.
The Gecko will also make you a basket filled with bunnies, chocolate dipped peeps and other fun stuff like home made marshmallows in pretty pastels
Gummy rabbits
Isn't it Sweet, on New Scotland in Albany (across from St. Peter's) has some fun, colorful stuff to brighten a basket or a dessert table. These cute little eggs with frosting bunnies and flowers inside caught our eye.
They were also the only place where we found gummy rabbits:
Vegan jelly beans
Here's something Mary Beth suggested for the vegan in your life: vegan jelly beans from the Honest Weight Food Coop*:
We tried them, and... well... if you're vegan and you really want a jelly bean, they're not bad. They hit the right note of sweetness, but they were a tad grainy for our taste.
Marzipan eggs
Saratoga Sweets, on Route 9 in Clifton Park, had one of the better selections of jelly beans we saw.
They also create personalized chocolate eggs with your choice of filling (chocolate, peanut butter, chocolate walnut, penuche or penuche nut).
They also had marzipan eggs
Crisan
Mary Beth mentioned the marzipan chicks at Crisan, but when we stopped by they hadn't put them out yet. We did find these little runaway bunny cakes:
We also found a list of stuff you can still order -- cakes, pastries, cookies and platters decorated with an Easter or spring theme.
OK, now we have to go brush our teeth.
* Yep, the Honest Food Co-op advertises on AOA.
Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.
Comments
Candy Kraft on Western Avenue in Guilderland/Altamont has some pretty good basics as well.
If anyone knows where one might find nut-free chocolates, I would love to know.
... said Gretchen on Mar 31, 2010 at 3:02 PM | link
You do realize where jelly beans come from, right?
(Hint: its also why the bunny has such a sweet smile.)
... said abby on Mar 31, 2010 at 3:11 PM | link
Oh. My. Gosh. A compendium of saccharine goodness!
If I got Albany John a penuche filled egg he might just turn into a sweets guy. As it is, he only likes old-man sweets, so I just stocked up on jelly beans at Target.
However, I think I'm going to request an easter bunny bearing some of the donuts you mentioned yesterday. Hello, easter sugar coma!
... said Albany Jane on Mar 31, 2010 at 3:28 PM | link
If you find yourself near Kingston, NY drop in on the Kingston Candy Man located at Nekos Luncheonette on Wall St.
Each Easter season Ed Nekos makes chocolate goodies, by hand, in a small store front next door. Using chocolate molds that are over 100 years old, this tradition was started by Ed's father Steve. My favorite is a chocolate Easter basket filled with a mix of treats and delightfully boxed which make tasty and unique Easter gifts. But hurry only a few days before al those goodies are sold out. 845 338-8227
... said Bob Shenise on Mar 31, 2010 at 3:53 PM | link
@abby: I thought jelly beans came from racist dragons...
... said -S on Mar 31, 2010 at 4:01 PM | link
The Easter Bunny can get delicious truffles from Park Avenue Confectionary in Mechanicville.
... said amymengel on Mar 31, 2010 at 8:15 PM | link
Don't forget Uncle Sam's in good ole' Schenectady! Voted BEST CHOCOLATE SHOP In the Capital Region Living Magazine every year! AND, featured on this website not that long ago!!! http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2008/12/04/uncle-sams-a-sweet-secret
... said Joanne on Mar 31, 2010 at 8:29 PM | link
No, I'm pretty sure the Easter bunny shops at Uncle Sam's in Schenectady.
... said Kim M. on Mar 31, 2010 at 8:31 PM | link
Emack and Bolios on Delaware Ave has marzipan, truffles, easter egg candy. And while you're there you can pick up an Albany egg cream.
... said Lucy on Apr 1, 2010 at 8:43 AM | link
ooh! Dreampuff marshmallows! I get these at the farmers market in troy. they have lots of great flavors. like chocolate, coconut, cardamom and passion fruit. yum!
... said joey137 on Apr 1, 2010 at 4:37 PM | link
Today I picked up a marzipan pony at Crisan's Bakery. They also have bunnies, chicks and dogs. A nice colorful addition to the Easter basket!
... said Mary Beth on Apr 1, 2010 at 4:59 PM | link
Here's an update: Red Thread Confections closed last September and the owner has now gone back to her life's passion (music) and teaches cello and piano full time.
If you're near Empire State Plaza, Peanut Land Express is stocked for Easter with dark or milk chocolate bunnies, chocolate-dipped peeps, barley-sweetened lollipops, and even sugar-free sweets. To find them, head to the Concourse level near the Hallmark store.
... said MB on Apr 13, 2011 at 10:21 PM | link
I got lucky because my sons' school did a fundraiser with Krause's and I got to get some good candy and help ASH. The dark chocolate dipped peeps are my new favorite means of ingesting sugar!
... said slilly on Apr 14, 2011 at 10:40 AM | link
E-mailed the Chocolate Gecko and they are getting ready for Easter: "just now starting to get bunnies out into the store for Easter, and will continue to make more as the holiday gets closer. We make all of our treats in white, milk, and dark
chocolate and decorate them all colorfully!"
... said MB on Mar 22, 2012 at 10:08 PM | link
Crisan has marzipan bunnies, chicks, eggs, and bears this year. I also treated myself to a scoop of their hazelnut gelato.
... said MB on Mar 28, 2012 at 2:21 PM | link