8 Unique Places to Fill an Easter Basket in Champaign-Urbana (With Chocolate, Of Course)
What is it about Easter in Champaign-Urbana?
The weather is (usually) mild, everything is finally greening up, and Easter egg hunts are aplenty. The Easter Bunny is making appearances all over Champaign-Urbana. Is it just me, or is Easter is all the fun, but without the kind of massive prep that Christmas demands? Plus, we love all those pastels!
Oh, and did we forget to mention chocolate?
If you’re looking for great chocolate Easter treats in and around Champaign-Urbana, we are here to help!
CHAMPAIGN:
The New Sweet Indulgence: This local bakery has cake truffles and house made chocolates, not to mention cookies, cupcakes and hot cross buns when the season officially rolls around. Located in southwest Champaign.
Art Mart: Art Mart has an assortment of amazing chocolate, and they take it up a notch for Easter. Chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs. You can even buy little Easter baskets and fill to your heart’s content. Non-chocolate options are gummy bunnies, pastel marshmallows, jelly beans and a good selection of international candies. Plenty of non-food items as well.
Cheese & Crackers: Locally made fine chocolates. While the chocolates you find at Cheese & Crackers “chocolate boutique” might be a little highbrow for your average kid’s Easter basket, they would be a wonderful treat for guests, or for filling out your secret chocolate stash.
URBANA:
Strawberry Fields and World Harvest: has a delicious selection of international chocolate. You can also order a specialty Easter basket of goodies.
Common Ground Food Co-op: You can find gourmet chocolates and candies at Common Ground at Lincoln Square.
Bent Bean: Bent Bean features local favorite Ruben’s Belgium Chocolates. They take custom orders.
WORTH THE DRIVE:
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, Tuscola: An old-fashioned soda shop with amazing chocolate. They have special chocolates and treats just for Easter and spring. Trust us, it’s worth the trip! If you want some “non-Easter” chocolate, try Paul’s Pecan Favorites, Flesor’s version of a turtle.
Black & White Confections, Gibson City: We hear it’s worth the drive north to Gibson City to grab these treats. And they even have pre-made baskets to make it easier. About 30 minutes from C-U.
A Nod to the Big Box Stores: Our big three box stores — Target, Meijer and Walmart — each carry Easter candy and chocolate galore. Those giant chocolate bunnies you always wanted as a kid even though you never made it through more than just an ear? They have them. Chocolate soccer bunny? They have them. Butterfingereggs? Yep. Although not the same level of artistry or quality as our other chocolate finds, sometimes you just want some Reese’s Eggs and Starbucks jellybeans to tide you through hours of filling plastic eggs.
More Easter Fun:
50 Things To Put in Easter Eggs Besides Candy | Easter Treat Ideas | Make Hot Cross Buns | Easter Egg Hunts in the Champaign-Urbana Area | Lenten Fish Frys
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