Easter is on the horizon and for the sweet tooths amongst us, this is seriously egg-citing news. After all, what other holiday is celebrated by stuffing your face with as much chocolate (and other sugary treats) as humanly possible?
So grab your appetite (and your loosest pair of pants!) and get ready to gorge on the best Easter treats in Auckland including this next-level eggspresso martini.
The Best Easter Treats In Auckland Right Now
Buñuelo | Mexico
Ellerslie, Ponsonby, Silverdale & Sylvia Park
This Easter, Mexico is taking our tastebuds south of the border with their brand-new dessert, the Buñuelo. This ice-cream-sammie-on-steroids features a cinnamon sugar-encrusted doughnut stuffed with a double scoop of vanilla ice cream, strawberry and muscovado confit, dulce de leche, and white chocolate (Lord help us). Get ya paws on this epic treat from April 5.
Eggspresso Martini | Dr Rudi's
Auckland Viaduct
Easter's getting off to a boozy bang thanks to our mates at Dr Rudi's, who are pouring an insane Eggspresso Martini for one day only on Saturday, April 8. This epic tipple features a chocolate Easter egg cushioned on a bed of chocolate mousse, drowning in a dreamy blend of espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur—begging the question, where has this cocktail been all our lives? Bookings recommended.
Hot Cross Cookie | The Vegan Treatory
Online
The Easter bunny has something a little different up his sleeve this year—and it looks like The Vegan Treatory's Hot Cross Cookie. The Vegan Treatory makes some of the city's most mouthwatering cookies, and this limited release is no exception (and may, just quietly, test your loyalty to the traditional hot cross bun). Think soft hot cross bun-spiced dough baked into a gloriously thick cookie, loaded with sultanas and chocolate chips then decorated with a cream cheese-icing cross. Oh, and in case you hadn't put two and two together already—these cookies are also vegan.
SUCRÉ Easter Hampers | SkyCity
Online
SkyCity's in-house pastry team, SUCRÉ, sure know a thing or two about sweets. Case in point: the delicious handcrafted goodies you'll find hiding inside their amazing Easter hampers. From rainbow-coloured chocolate and salted caramel bark to pretty pastel bon bons, caramel popcorn and Oreo chocolate marshmallows (and let's not forget the all-important foiled milk chocolate Easter eggs), we know what we'll be asking the Easter Bunny for this year. Available in small ($65) and large ($135).
Hot Crossy Bun | Butter Baby
Selected Markets
What do you get when you merge one of the city's best cinnamon buns with an Easter icon? A Hot Crossy Bun, that's what. This hybrid treat is exactly what it sounds like—a soft 'n' spicy cinnamon-style bun loaded with juicy sultanas and layers of cinnamon sugar, topped with a tasty vanilla cream cheese cross. Or as we like to call it, heaven in a mouthful.
Creme Egg Cookie Pie | Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar
Orakei, Manukau And Online
Moustache always knows how to make our mouths water, and their Creme Egg Cookie Pies are no egg-ception. These babies are stuffed with an entire Cadbury Creme Egg, then topped with a white chocolate fried egg for the ultimate Easter treat. Only available as part of larger cookie pie packs also featuring Caramilk and Biscoff cookie pies (not a bad problem to have, by any means).
Easter Caramel Eggs Gift Box | Little Bird
Ponsonby And Online
This Easter you'll find us cracking into some seriously incredible treats from Little Bird (which, you should know, are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, raw, organic and soy-free). Their caramel-stuffed chocolate eggs are an Easter epiphany, bringing joy with every mouthful and available in a convenient box of eight. However be sure to also save room for their Raw Cross Buns and Easter Spiced Carrot Cake, or ditch the decision-making altogether and snap up an Easter Gift Box with the works.
Pineapple Pecan Cake | Bunanza
Online
If you haven't had the pleasure of sinking your teeth into one of Bunanza's freshly baked treats just yet, the time is nigh 'cos they're slinging a super lush Pineapple Pecan Cake inspired by the classic carrot variety, especially for Easter. And this two-layered treat has more than taste going for it (erm, did you see the picture?), featuring gorgeously-piped cream cheese frosting decked out with salted caramel pecan praline, chewy pineapple pieces, pineapple sage, and the pièce de résistance—scattered gold leaf. Carrot cake who?
Baxter's Hot Cross Buns Tea | T2
Online And Instore
Hot cross bun tea—it has a rather nice ring to it, don't you think? And how incredible would it be enjoyed alongside an ACTUAL hot cross bun? Enter T2, who have bought back their beloved Baxter's Hot Cross Buns tea for another year. Inspired by the traditional HCB, this festive brew is just what the Easter Bunny ordered—a dreamy blend of cinnamon and mixed fruit flavours available as leaves or bags, that you can enjoy as is or even better, as a latte. And if hot cross buns don't quite float your Easter boat, perhaps T2's Cocoa Rose Flavoured Fruit Tisane With Green Tea will. Inspired by childhood Easter egg hunts in the garden, this whimsical brew brings together soft green tea, smooth cocoa, and a smidge of rose.Golden Egg Cocktail Kit | Black Pineapple
Online
Tell the kids that mummy and daddy will be drinking their Easter eggs this year. And it's all thanks to Black Pineapple—specifically, their decadent (and strictly adults-only) Golden Egg cocktail kits, which will see you sipping on vodka and salted caramel cocktails from edible cookie cups, dipped in dark chocolate. Oh my lord. These might just be the naughtiest Easter treats you've ever encountered but guess what, no one has to know a thing 'cos you can get them delivered right to your door. How's that for egg-stra?
Milk Chocolate Lemon Meringue Bar | Tony's Chocolonely
Online And Instore At Farro And Selected Supermarkets
Hold on a minute, did we just hear someone say the words 'lemon meringue chocolate bar'? That would be everyone's fave ethical choccy company, Tony's Chocolonely, who are making us have all kinds of unholy thoughts (greed and covetousness, for example) about their limited-edition Milk Chocolate Lemon Meringue Bar, which they've released especially for Easter. And before you cast judgement, see if YOU can resist the idea of Fairtrade milk chocolate laced with crunchy meringue pieces (made from free-range eggs, no less) and a lick of lemon, featuring a fun 'egg in a bar' design. Still not tempted? We know something else that might just do the trick—Tony's equally irresistible Egg-stra Special Chocolate Eggs, which are being resurrected for another year after selling out in 2022.
Hot X Bun Donuts | DOE Donuts
Grey Lynn And Online
So you think you know hot cross buns? Not like these, you don't. The esteemed treat has been given a divine, sugar-encrusted makeover by DOE Donuts, who you will know make some of the best damn doughies in the business. Starting with a dreamy fruit and spice-infused dough, the team have conjured up not one, but two heavenly creations for you to sink your teeth into this Easter. The first is a holed Hot X Bun Donut, rolled in sugar and decorated with a white chocolate ganache cross, while the second is a filled Hot X Bun Donut, decorated with a more traditional cross, also rolled in sugar, and pumped full of spiced crème patisserie. Holy hell. Order online (or pray they still have some in stock before rocking up to the shop). This just in: DOE are also now offering a box of mixed mini Hot X Bun donuts, featuring eight of each flavour.
Easter Egg Choc Chunk Cookie | Pt Chev Cookies
Online And Instore At Farro
The only thing we like better than one treat is two treats smooshed together—like these mouthwatering Easter Egg Choc Chunk Cookies from Pt Chev Cookies. Already one of our fave cookie joints (and an industry award-winner), we thought we couldn't possibly love them any more until along came these bad boys. Taking their signature North American-style dark Whittaker's Choc Chunk Cookie and loading it with Cadbury's pretty pastel Mini Eggs—these are all they're cracked up to be and more.
Hot-X Bun Cider | Morningcider
Online, Instore At Selected Retailers, And On Tap At Morningcidery
Easter has returned and with it, the most delicious cider we've ever tasted. We're talking about Morningcider's limited-edition Hot-X Bun Cider, which will have even the most anti-cider peeps amongst you converted (disagree and you can take it up with the judges of the 2022 New Zealand Cider Awards, where it won the title of Best Cider with Spice). Available online and from selected retailers as well as on tap at the brand's dedicated cidery in Morningside, this beauty is Easter incarnate—featuring notes of dried fruit, cinnamon, apple and warm brioche, poured into a fitting Adam and Eve-emblazoned can. We like ours cold, but we've heard it also makes for a damn good tipple when heated with a splash of rum.
Hot Cross Bun Donut | The Pantry At Park Hyatt Auckland
Wynyard Quarter
Callum Liddicoat's hot cross buns are world-famous here in Auckland, and this year the award-winning executive pastry chef, who you'll find working his magic at Park Hyatt Auckland, is giving them a festive glow-up (and by that, we mean turning them into Hot Cross Bun Donuts). It's no secret we already considered these treats to be heavenly, but we'd be lying if we said they weren't even more divine, now that they've been turned into donuts, bursting at the seams with vanilla custard and brushed with a spicy citrus glaze. Pre-order them online now (or hope like hell they have some left in the cabinet when you arrive), and keep your eyes peeled for additional Easter treats including an Earl Grey, bergamot and white chocolate egg, and a hazelnut, passionfruit and caramel egg.
Chocolate Smash Egg | La Petite Fourchette
Britomart And Wynyard Quarter
No one outdoes the French on the treat front, and La Petite Fourchette is here to prove exactly that with their jaw-dropping range of Easter goodies. We're especially in awe of their 54.5% dark Chocolate Smash Egg (which, for the record, looks way too pretty to smash). This gold-dusted beauty comes with a mini wooden hammer, which you'll use to crack the egg open and reveal a bounty of mixed sable breton and dark, milk and white chocolate bonbons. P.S. They also do a rather lush-looking Easter bunny, covered in milk chocolate velvet.
Easter Choo Choo Train | Miann
Britomart, Morningside, Ponsonby And Online
Ah Miann, we can always count on you for epic seasonal treats, be it at Christmas, Valentine's Day or in this case, Easter. Speaking of which, we're head-over-heels for your incredible Easter Choo Choo Train (because let's be honest, who doesn't want a choccy caboose carrying mini caramel-filled eggs?). However, that's not to overlook your decadent hot cross buns (made even more indulgent when stuffed with a scoop of your famous gelato). Or your lush caramelised buttermilk white chocolate and raspberry Easter Bars. We've also heard that we can get our coffee dusted with a chocolate Easter egg or a bunny—so we'll be smashing back some of those, too.
Easter Egg Collection | Honest Chocolat
Commercial Bay, Matakana And Online
Honest Chocolat has taken a leaf out of Mother Nature's book this year with an Easter egg collection inspired by the elements. Our personal fave? The Sun Easter Egg, a gorgeous milk chocolate number featuring hidden layers of hazelnut praline and popping candy. It's only fitting that these beauties come wrapped in zero-plastic, home-compostable packaging, plus $1 from every egg sold goes to Trees That Count (an organisation that plants native New Zealand trees around the country). And best of all, they also have gluten and dairy-free options, hallelujah! P.S. Their game-changing take on eggs and dipping soldiers has also returned for another year (available in-store at Auckland only). Here they've taken a dark chocolate Easter egg shell, filled it with chocolate mousse, hazelnut praline and crunchy caramelised hazelnuts, then paired it with vanilla sponge soldiers and a cute chocolate marmalade 'egg'. Sorry Mum, but your version ain't got nothing on this.
Easter Eggs | House of Chocolate
Beach Haven, Takapuna And Online
House of Chocolate certainly knows how to make treats with the X-factor, including their coveted hand-painted Easter eggs. Yes, whether it's speckled, splattered or sprayed, these contemporary choccy treats have been egg-citing Aucklanders since their inception several years ago, and again, look more like a work of art than something you'd eat. But make no mistake, these babies don't just look the part, they're also made from premium Valrhona chocolate, and are hiding even more treats on the inside (think chocolate dragées, and mini bunnies). Don't forget to check out their other Easter treats, including themed chocolate blocks and mini pastel-coloured eggs, filled with caramel.
All The Treats | Devonport Chocolates
Devonport And Online
Can't get enough Easter goodness? Here's where to find Auckland's best hot cross buns.
Image credit: Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar, Mexico, Dr Rudi's, The Vegan Treatory, SkyCity, Butter Baby, Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar, Little Bird, Bunanza, T2, Black Pineapple, Tony's Chocolonely, DOE Donuts, Pt Chev Cookies, Morningcider, Park Hyatt Auckland, La Petite Fourchette, Honest Chocolat, House of Chocolate.