As we hop closer to Easter, candymakers are releasing delicious new seasonal treats, from chocolate-dipped Peeps to specialty peanut butter cups that are perfect for filling up a festive basket.
The Easter season has remained a key moment for candy consumption, generating over $5 billion in sales in 2022 according to the National Confectioners Association.
Chocolate reigns supreme among consumers at Easter, with data from Instacart showing "more than 3 in 5 of those planning to purchase Easter candy this year will be buying chocolate eggs (64%) and chocolate bunnies (61%)."
Instacart data also showed that "more than half (51%) of those who will buy Easter candy plan to indulge in jelly beans, while 42% are looking to scoop up the iconic marshmallow chicks."
Check out some of the season's newest sweets below.
Mars, the parent company of classic candies like Skittles, Starburst, Dove and M&M's, announced a new limited-edition flavor on Monday: M&M's White Chocolate Marshmallow Crispy Treat.
The brand described the new flavor as "a delightful twist inspired by the popular rice crisp desserts" made with a sweet and crunchy rice crisp center coated with rich white chocolate in festive, pastel-colored candy shells. The limited-time treat is available at retailers nationwide throughout the season.
Fan favorites like Dove milk and dark chocolate bunnies and eggs, as well as Starburst jellybeans amd more are also available again this season.
The California-based candy brand, beloved for its iconic hand-crafted chocolates, is a "one-stop hop" with a newly designed Sweet Bunny Basket for $32.50. The festive and decorative basket is filled with assorted eggs -- chocolates with three different fillings, including the classic creamy Bordeaux -- jelly beans, a chocolate marshmallow egg, a mini milk chocolate bunny and a butterscotch lollipop with a bunny cover.
See's is also offering a sweet new 8-ounce bag of individual wrapped mini milk chocolate eggs for $9.50, plus dozens of other delicious treats from hand decorated chocolate filled eggs to sweet surprise chicks and more.
Justin's, the brand known for its natural and organic nut butters, says it "is egg-cited to join in on the Easter fun" this season with new limited-edition Mini Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. The individually wrapped treats come in festive Easter packaging and are available at select retailers, including Whole Foods.
Compartés, the award-winning Los Angeles-based chocolate brand, has an array of Easter offerings from milk and dark chocolate-dipped marshmallow Peeps to gourmet edible Easter baskets and gourmet peanut butter eggs. They also concocted a new spring-inspired Blueberry Muffin Chocolate Bar that's made with milk chocolate and infused with real blueberries and chunks of spongy muffin. Prices range from $8.95 to $26.95 and products are available directly on the brand's website.