Harrogate chocolatiers gear up for the sweetest time of their year

Easter, a top-tier holiday as far as I’m concerned.

Less stressful than Christmas and with even more chocolate, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. And no, you are never too old for an Easter egg.

While times are undoubtedly tough at the moment, chocolate is an affordable luxury that most of us are still willing to splash out on.

And during times of economic hardship, it is not uncommon to see chocolate sales increase.

I spoke to three Harrogate-based chocolate businesses that are gearing up for their busiest time of year.

Bettys

I couldn’t really write about Easter treats without including this famous Harrogate institution. You can’t deny the chocolatiers at Betty’s make the most stunning creations and they taste pretty amazing too.

Ruth Burke-Kennedy, PR Manager at Bettys, said this year the business expected to sell a total of 47,000 Easter novelties, including treats like sugar-coated mini eggs and speckled rabbits, plus 25,000 Easter eggs.

She said:

“The best-selling Easter product this year is our milk chocolate sugar-coated miniature eggs – we have sold almost 8,000 so far.

“The milk chocolate buttons egg  is the most popular large egg, with 2,800 sold between branches and online so far.

“The best-selling hamper is our family Easter gift box, with 1,951 sold.”

When asked how many of their famous made-to-order milk chocolate Imperial Easter Eggs – priced at £295 – they had sold, she added:

“We have sold seven. We can’t reveal details of who we sell these to, but in the past we know they have been used at Easter weddings in place of a cake!”

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The 100-year-old Betty’s Craft Bakery has a dedicated chocolate room, where it is kept at a lower temperature than the rest of the bakery.

The chocolate team works there from the very early hours of the morning until around midday, so the increasing temperature of the bakery ovens doesn’t affect the chocolate.

Ruth said:

“Bettys has been providing little luxuries for over 100 years now.

“We have noticed that when times are tough, especially during the pandemic for example, that when people were fed up and missing their friends, family and colleagues, our online sales increased.

“While many of the sales were from people sending love to those they missed, we also saw in an increase in people treating themselves.”

Farrah’s of Harrogate

One of Harrogate’s oldest businesses, Farrah’s has been serving up sweets and chocolate for more than 100 years – and its toffee-making roots go back even further.

At Easter Farrah’s, offers a selection of hand-wrapped Belgian chocolate eggs filled with mini eggs or luxury chocolates.

There is also an option to choose your own hand-wrapped Belgian chocolate egg filling, whether it be your favourite sweets, chocolates or even a miniature gin.

Natalie Smith, manager of Farrah’s Olde Sweet Shop, on Montpellier Parade, said:

“Other than Christmas, this is our busiest time of year and we work hard to fulfil all of the Easter Bunny’s orders.

“Our most popular product is a milk chocolate egg shell filled with a fine caramel selection or a half-and-half milk and white chocolate egg filled to the brim with mini eggs.”

Hotel Chocolat

It might be a chain, but there’s no denying that Hotel Chocolat’s Easter offerings are always impressive.

Manager of the Harrogate store Hannah Cosgriff said sales were starting to ramp up as the Easter school holidays get underway.

She said:

“The Extra Thick eggs are definitely our best-sellers. Whereas most people do a really thin egg and package them up with the filled chocolates on the edge, we did the opposite and did really thick chocolate eggs with the chocolates inside. They come in sustainable packaging as well.

“Our eggs aren’t the cheapest, but you do get what you pay for. Not only do they include quality ingredients, but the way we grow our cocoa is really ethical and sustainable as well. For me that’s really important, and I think a lot of people are more aware of that now.”

Hannah said she had noticed that when times were tough, the shop was often busier as people wanted an affordable treat.

She said:

“This is the first Easter we’ve been properly able to celebrate in two years. I think that although people might be starting to feel the pinch, it’s not going to stop families wanting to come together and celebrate.

“With the energy increases, people might not be able to afford holidays, but might treat themselves to a nice Easter egg. It’s smaller treat but still a luxury. People don’t want to feel like they are completely going without. You have to have those little perks.”

Like Betty’s, Hotel Chocolat does a giant luxury egg. Their version is an Ostrich Egg, filled with chocolates, priced at £85. My husband moans at the price of Lindt Gold Bunnies, so I won’t hold my breath.

Hannah said:

“This is definitely one to share. We actually do sell a lot of these, especially the patisserie version.”