Here at Lake Champlain Chocolates, we know the Easter Bunny has many personalities. Everyone recognizes that big, white bunny that sneaks around hiding eggs – but why? And how?

It all started way back in the 13th Century in Germany, when people celebrated the beginning of spring by honoring the goddess Eostra. Eostra symbolized fertility, and soon became associated with rabbits (who are known for being very fertile). The first Easter Bunny legend, though, wasn’t published until 1680.  The tale about a rabbit carrying around eggs and hiding them in gardens really took off when it was brought to the United States in the 1700s, and the tradition of making nests (or baskets) for the rabbit to hide the eggs in became very popular, leading to the Easter traditions that we’re familiar with today!

At LCC, we have lots of different chocolate bunnies to help you hide eggs in the garden (or around the house) – and each one has a different way of doing it. If you believe that bunnies can deliver eggs, why not on a motorcycle? Or in a hot rod? Or on a tractor?

The Gardening Bunny likes to take her time and find all of the best egg-hiding spots among the tulips and daffodils.

Mr. Goodtime Bunny spends his morning searching for the biggest hiding spot (for his really big egg!).

Tractor Bunny doesn’t mind put-put-putting along slowly through the fields – he’s just excited that it’s springtime.

Crusin’ and Cycle Bunny go as quickly as they can and race to hide the most eggs.

No matter which bunny fits your style (and your imagination), they’re all delicious and they’re all available at our retail stores! In fact, Gardening Bunny, Tractor Bunny, and Cycle Bunny are ONLY available in our retail stores. Stop by and pick out your perfect bunny, and let our staff give you their hints for the perfect egg-hiding spot!

Cars are honking.  No, not in a bad, “I’m so annoyed” kind of way (this is Vermont after all). These honks sound happy.   Yes, even honks can have personality.  Ok, so why are all these cars honking so much?  I’ll give you one guess.  The Easter Bunny!

Everyone loves the Easter Bunny.  He dances. He waves.  He wears a bowtie.  Ok, sometimes kids may want to keep their distance, but absolutely everyone loves what the Easter Bunny brings in his basket each year.  A chocolate bunny, some chocolate Easter eggs, jelly beans, and some green grass and you’ve got yourself a perfectly filled Easter basket.

And then there’s the Easter egg hunt.  Even though it can be cold, and even snowing some years, there are some great easter egg hunts to choose from in Vermont.  One of our favorites is down the street from us at Oakledge Park, on the shores of Lake Champlain.  It’s the Eggstravaganza!    The LCC Bunny is there along with 10,000 eggs, food, activities, music— you name it, this Easter egg hunt has got it.

What sort of Easter egg hunts happen in your neck of the woods?

Our stores have everything you need to fill your Easter basket—chocolate bunnies, cream-filled eggs, all-natural jelly beans and even chocolate carrots!

Stop by one of our three retail stores and be sure to say hello to the LCC Bunny!

LCC Retail Stores

750 Pine Street
Burlington, VT
Monday-Saturday 9-6pm
Sunday 12-5pm
802-864-1807

65 Church Street
Burlington, VT
Monday-Thursday 10-7pm
Friday-Saturday 10-9pm
Sunday 11-6pm
802-862-5185

Route 100 – Cabot Annex
Waterbury, VT
Monday-Sunday 9-6pm
802-241-4150

At Lake Champlain Chocolates we have lots of different chocolate bunnies to choose from so sometimes it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.  Here is quick personality guide to help make your decision easier. 

Only the Best

The Cruisin’ Easter Bunny:  This bunny is driving a race car.  Do we need to say more?  Fast and furious, when it comes to Easter, this bunny means business.  Ahead of the pack with his cool car and decorative egg, this bunny has a competitive edge, is goal oriented and enjoys being in control.  The Cruisin’ Bunny loves a challenge but can be intense and is very persuasive about getting his own way. Watch out!

Center of Attention

Mr. Goodtime Bunny- Another aptly named chocolate bunny, this guy loves to be the life of the party.  A true extrovert, Mr. Goodtime lives in the moment but is also always in search for new and exciting experiences.   Bring him home to your house and he won’t disappoint with his hand-painted dapper jacket, egg and flowers.  Full of energy, he loves meeting different people and starting conversations.   Mr. Goodtime will get your Easter party started!

Altruistic & Agreeable

Organic Hopp’n Bunny- The organic bunny is new to the LCC Easter bunny family this year.  A compassionate little guy, this bunny enjoys helping others and highly values the quality of his relationships.  Considerate, friendly, helpful and generous, the Hopp’n bunny has a soft heart that makes people feel at ease.  Somewhat of an idealist, this bunny is created from certified organic chocolate making him right at home in a child’s Easter basket.

The Traditionalist

Classic Easter Bunny-  Old school to the core, this bunny has been around the block more than a few times, yet still holds strong year after year.  Every Easter he is prepared, organized and ready to act when needed. Not one to like surprises, he wants to know the details and specifics and is exacting in his work.  This must be why he continues to be our best selling bunny.  Looking proud and handsome in an Easter basket, the Classic is the gold standard to which all bunnies strive to achieve.

So tell us, which bunny personality are you?

Here at Lake Champlain Chocolates, it’s no doubt we like chocolate.  We also like beer.  We especially like combining beer and chocolate, either in pairings, in recipes, or by just noshing on some chocolate then swishing beer around in our mouths.  I’m only kidding.  Kind of.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day this month, and also for an office bake sale to raise money for the United Way, I decided to take the classic March 17th beverage-of-choice (did you know that 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed every St. Paddy’s day?) and mix it with dark chocolate to make a delectable baked good.  The results? The moistest, richest and most intense brownie you’ve ever tasted. 

I especially like this recipe because it uses three different types of chocolate from our amazing baking chocolate inventory.

4 eggs
¾ c sugar
8 oz Lake Champlain Chocolates 54% Dark Chocolate Chips
4 oz Lake Champlain Chocolates White Chocolate Chips
6 tbsp unsalted butter (what’s up, Cabot?)
¾ c King Arthur’s Flour
¾ c Lake Champlain Chocolates Organic Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 ¼ c Guinness Stout
Confectioner’s Sugar for dusting

In a large bowl, beat eggs & sugar until light and fluffy.  Melt white and dark chocolate chips with butter over very low heat, stirring regularly.  Add to egg mixture.   In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder.  Beat that into egg mixture until well combined.  Gently blend in the Guinness, the batter will have a very liquid consistency.  Pour into buttered 9x13’’ pan, and bake until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30-40 minutes.

Allow to cool completely in pan.  Dust with confectioner’s sugar.

Makes 15 brownies.

Adapted from The New Irish Table Cookbook

Visiting one of our three Hot Chocolate Cafes is an experience for all senses.  You pull up a seat at the bar and watch a skilled barista whip you up a cup of foamy, creamy Gourmet Hot Chocolate right before your eyes.  With the right ingredients and a little patience, you can make your own steaming cup of deliciousness to enjoy at right at home.  Perfect for cozy Sunday mornings, evenings by the fire or warming up after a day on the slopes.

You will need:

Lake Champlain Chocolates Gourmet Hot Chocolate selection of your choice.  With Traditional, Old World, Mocha, Aztec, Organic Fair Trade, or our two newest, Chai & Mighty and Mountain Mint, you’ll have to try them all!

Milk (we’re all about the Vermont whole milk here, but you’re welcome to use any kind of milk or milk alternative that you may prefer)

Small saucepan, whisk, candy thermometer and Milk Frother if you have one.

Your favorite mug

Freshly whipped cream (simply combine one cup of cold heavy whipping cream, 2 tbsp of sugar and 1 tbsp of vanilla extract in a bowl.  Whip with hand mixer to desired consistency, about four minutes) or Marshmallows (find the recipe here!)

Follow measurements on back of Hot Chocolate canister.

In a small saucepan, heat the milk over low heat, whisking frequently until it reaches 140°.  Remove from heat and gently whisk in chocolate mix or shavings.  Pour into your favorite mug, and froth, if you have a milk frother, or whisk more to make foamy.  Top with freshly whipped cream or homemade marshmallows, and might I suggest garnishing with Old World Shavings? 

Enjoy.

(and I’m probably supposed to say, caution, contents will be hot.)

Gourmet Chocolate. Aged Cheese. Fine Wine.  All three are always present at holiday parties and dinners, so why not combine them into one dessert that will be sure to continue the conversation late into the night?  Not only is this dessert idea unique and different, it’s foolproof and takes the stress away from spending hours in the kitchen trying to whip up a festive masterpiece.  Most cheeses and red wines are best served at room temperature, so this platter can be made well ahead of time, before guests even arrive.

It can be overwhelming to try and perfectly pair each cheese with each chocolate and each wine, so we’re here to help. Since we know chocolate, chocolate was chosen first and the cheese and wines were picked to accompany it.  The key is to keep everything simple: not only for the host’s own sanity, but also to not overwhelm guests.  Here are some pairing suggestions:

•    Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is usually 50%-75% cacao and has strong complex flavors with nuances that are nutty, spicy, floral, earthy, and has a balanced aftertaste that is not too sweet.  Considering these flavor profiles, choose a savory Brie cheese or mild blue cheese to enhance the undertones of the chocolate.  Dark chocolate pairs well with full-bodied red wines: such as a Cabernet Sauvignon, which highlight the fruity and peppery notes in the chocolate, or a bold Australian Shiraz, which brings out the chocolate’s spicy subtleties.

•    Chili-infused Chocolate
On the coldest of winter nights, add a little spice to the chocolate selection by including chili chocolates, such as our Organic Spicy Aztec Squares or Aztec Chocolate Truffles.  The extra kick of cayenne and cinnamon in this chocolate nicely complements a ripened goat cheese.  A fruity, zesty red wine, such as a full-bodied Zinfandel will balance the raciness of the chocolate.

•    Sea Salt Caramels
Options are endless when it comes to choosing a chocolate covered caramel. One suggestion is our ever popular Sea Salt Caramel.  The buttery caramel with a touch of sea salt pairs well with a fresh goat cheese and wines such as a Late Harvest Riesling or a Demi-Sec Champagne.  These wines both have a honey and floral bouquet, which complement the caramel well.

•    Chocolate Covered Nuts
If these are included on the pairings plate, be sure to have a back-up supply.  Guests won’t be able to eat just one of these irresistible sweet-and-salty confections.  The saltiness of the nuts marry well with hard aged cheeses, such as an 18-month cheddar or a gouda.  A Pinot Noir, with its toasted and spiced berry notes is a natural complement to the chocolate and roasted almonds.

There is no one correct way to create a holiday chocolate, cheese and wine pairing.  With a little help of the local specialty food store’s wine and cheese experts, the possibilities are endless!

Hello everyone! I’m Lauren, the new research and development assistant here at Lake Champlain Chocolates. I just recently graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY with a degree in baking and pastry arts and moved north to help create some new chocolately deliciousness for all of you! It was a long process to get here, but when I walked through the front doors of our Pine St. factory location for the first time I couldn’t believe it. I think it finally sunk in. I get to make candy for a living! Are you serious? Yes, I’m fairly certain this is real. As a chocolate geek with quite possibly serious addiction problems, this is a dream job, and I am grateful to have such an amazing opportunity.

Moving to Vermont by way of Tennessee, I didn’t really know what to expect. Everyone I spoke with asked why I was moving to a land so cold. I usually responded, “I’m doing it for the chocolate!” Honestly, though, all I had heard were vague descriptions of the landscape or a few comments about how cold it really gets, but I did not know that much about this small state. For those of you who have never been, it is absolutely beautiful here. You can be standing on the shore of Lake Champlain staring out over the water at the Adirondack Mountains with a breathtaking blue sky filled with rolling clouds, and the next minute you can be downtown Burlington with its vibrant culture, shopping, and activities. It really is a tremendous place. I know it will be great inspiration for new chocolates and candy. And sure, it is cold – pretty darn. They weren’t lying. Trust me. I’m working on developing my thick winter skin as we speak.
So, I am here, ready to brave the winter weather and hopefully make some pretty amazing stuff. Every once in a while I hope to stop by to let you know a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes at Lake Champlain Chocolates.

It’s no secret that Switchback Brewery is a local legend here in Vermont.  Their classic Unfiltered Ale is on tap in every bar in town and chances are if you try it once, you’ll be hooked. 

You may remember from last year’s Chocolate and Beer Pairings at Brew Fest, we paired Switchback’s Porter with our classic 54% Dark Chocolate.  This year, same brewery, different beer, different chocolate and amazing results.

Switchback’s Roasted Red & Honey Caramel

Our Chocolates of Vermont Honey Caramel is made from sweet, locally-harvested honey which is infused into our caramel and then drenched in a semisweet dark chocolate. The honey gives the caramel a complex blend of flavors beyond your typical caramel.

Switchback’s Roasted Red has strong, caramelized malt notes which match up beautifully with the Honey Caramel.  The floral notes in the honey really enhanced and brightened up the rich, hoppy flavor of the Roasted Red.  This is one match you have to try!

Hey everyone- I’m back for another entry!   Phew, it was a busy weekend but the Egg-Stravaganza chocolate Easter egg hunt went off without a hitch and the Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory store was hopping (sorry, I can’t resist) with people buying chocolate bunny rabbits, frogs, carrots and all sorts of delicious treats to fill their gourmet chocolate Easter baskets. So now we’re into the home stretch. Yes, Easter is THIS Sunday.  Don’t be caught at the drugstore buying up the last lonely piece of Easter candy on the shelf Saturday night.  You can still order Easter chocolates by this Thursday, April 1st (no joking!) and have it arrive on Friday, April 2nd.

Oh, before I forget I want to mention- if you’re in Vermont and near one of Lake Champlain Chocolates’ stores (Pine St or Church St in Burlington or Rte 100 in Waterbury), be sure to buy a raffle ticket to win the Ha ha Bunny.  This is no ordinary bunny and being a bunny myself, I know.  With 23 pounds of semi-sold milk chocolate and 2 feet tall, this bunny is impressive!  And how about those teeth?!  I’m a little jealous of the teeth. The best part is that all the proceeds go to the Burlington, VT Ronald McDonald House.

I think that’s all from this busy bunny for now.  I’ve got lots of Easter baskets to fill between now and Sunday!  I've been eating those Granola Breakfast Eggs like crazy to keep my energy up! And after that, you’ll find me relaxing on a beach somewhere enjoying something perhaps a bit stronger than chocolate.....