What Is the History of the Chocolate Easter Bunny Tradition? Everything You Need to Know

An estimated 91 million chocolate bunnies are sold for Easter every year in the U.S. Behind that staggering figure sits a tradition that traces back to 18th-century German immigrants in Pennsylvania — and a drugstore owner who built a 5-foot chocolate rabbit to draw customers.

Here is how the chocolate bunny became an Easter staple, plus some of the wildest records the treat has inspired.

Where Did the Chocolate Easter Bunny Come From

The Easter bunny legend in the U.S. has German roots. According to Stefanelli’s Candies, “Since ancient times, rabbits have been regarded as a symbol of fertility and new birth. The concept of an Easter bunny was first brought to America with the migration of the Germans in the 18th century.”

After the group settled in Pennsylvania, “They introduced the legend of the Osterhare, a mythical rabbit known for its egg-laying. Each year, the children of these immigrants would craft special nests for the Osterhare to lay eggs in and leave him carrots for his troubles.”

As the tradition spread, the offerings evolved from eggs to candy. The site reported, “With time, the tradition spread to the rest of the country. As the Osterhare myth evolved, so did the finer details of what the bunny would leave behind.”

The jump to chocolate bunnies appears to trace back to Germany. “The chocolate bunny itself is believed to have originally been created by someone of German heritage, as this is where the Easter legend was born. Chocolate molds originating from the 19th century have been discovered in Munich, the largest city in Bavaria,” per Stefanelli’s Candies.

The American craze, however, has a specific origin. Robert L. Strohecker, grandfather of Harbor Sweets’ founder Ben Strohecker, popularized the chocolate bunny in the late 19th century. In the attempt to promote miniature versions of the treat, he crafted a 5-foot-tall bunny made of milk chocolate to draw attention.

What Are the Biggest and Most Expensive Chocolate Bunnies Ever Made?

The record for the largest chocolate rabbit stands at 178 inches high, 83.1 inches wide and 69.3 inches long. Equipe da Casa do Chocolate achieved the record in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on February 25, 2017. Nine professionals worked eight consecutive days on the sculpture, and the finished rabbit weighed 9,359.7 pounds.

The world’s most expensive chocolate bunny was commissioned by luxury brand VeryFirstTo in 2016 for $49,000 in collaboration with the company 77 Diamonds. Two-time European Pastry Cup Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie-winning pastry chef Martin Chiffers sculpted it from 75 percent Tanzanian cacao. It stood about a foot tall and weighed 11 pounds.

VeryFirstTo founder Marcel Knobil purchased two diamonds worth over $35,400 to adorn the chocolate bunny’s eyes, contributing significantly to the final price tag. Chiffers spent roughly 32 hours crafting both the bunny and the three gold-leaf-embossed eggs at its feet.

How Do Most People Eat a Chocolate Easter Bunny?

With 91 million bunnies sold each year, eating habits follow a clear pattern. According to data collected by the National Confectioners Association, 78 percent of consumers say they eat the ears first. Another 17 percent start with the feet, while 5 percent go for the tail first.

This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.