10 places for Easter chocolate around Hamilton

Bunny ears anyone?

Walker's Chocolates made a mark on Easter with its bag of Bunny Ears - a local Easter treat that keeps customers coming back for more.

Find your specialized local chocolatier or a flawless made-to-order basket. Whether it's vegan, no sugar, one of a kind, dark or milk, you are sure to find it here.

Here are 10 places to get Easter chocolate and treats around Hamilton.

1. Walker's Chocolates

Everyone loves the iconic Bunny Ears but Walker's also gives you the Smash Egg. Filled with a delightful surprise inside, the only way in is to smash it. Their four outlets are located at 1050 King St. W., Hamilton; 3350 Fairview St. and the factory store at 4391 Harvester Rd., Burlington; and 1011 Upper Middle Rd. E., Oakville.

Hamilton store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The store is closed Sundays. walkerschocolates.ca

2. Cake & Loaf

Step away from the expected and dive into an abundance of Easter baking. With a giant variety of cream eggs, the Hello Easter bar or the tiny Easter vanilla bean sugar dot cookies, you are sure to find something for everyone this holiday season. Located at 321 Dundurn St. S., store hours are 12 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The Easter menu is available for online ordering until April 8. cakeandloaf.ca

3. Hotti Biscotti

It's all dressed up for Easter. Get a load of the chocolate-dipped Oreos or the marshmallow peeps. What Easter brunch wouldn't be complete without this Hamilton staple? You'll find them at the Hamilton Farmers' Market, upper level near mall entrance, 35 York Blvd., open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. hottibiscotti.com

4. Purdy's Chocolatier

With the milk chocolate Whiskers Bunny, the Easter Bunny's choice box of chocolates, vegan and no sugar added options you can hop on over to Purdy's stores in CF Lime Ridge, 999 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton, and Mapleview Centre, 900 Maple Ave., Burlington, during mall hours. purdys.com

5. Chocolat on James

Never been to Chocolat on James? Take a trip to this downtown staple at 123 James St. N. for some Easter treats. With vegan menu options, the store is open Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until May when summer hours take over. Note, the ice cream bar will be opening after Easter. chocolatonjames.com

6. Beanermunky Chocolate

You'll love the Noodle Nests they've been making for about 16 years. And new this year at Beanermunky are the vegan milk chocolate bunnies and eggs. This chocolatier is located at 50 King St. W., Dundas. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. beanermunky.com. Fork-dipped chocolate for all seasons.

7. Baskets Hamilton

This local online gift basket company is often overlooked when it comes to holiday treats. Splurge on a friend or send one to yourself - Easter baskets are crafted with an abundance of gifting options such as the Davenport Easter Bouquet and Snacks Basket, which includes a tulip bouquet, chocolate mini eggs, a chocolate bunny, and more Easter goodies. hamiltonbaskets.ca

8. Madam Bonbon

Small-batch chocolates with an Easter flair. The fabulous confections come in salted caramel, cherry dark chocolate (vegan), caramel banana, matcha strawberry, tea and cookies, marshmallow and malted milk chocolate, mango, peanut butter cup, whole hazelnut and more for Easter. The shop is at 165 Locke St. S., open Wednesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. madambonbon.ca

9. Lindt Chocolate Shop

You can head to Switzerland to tour the chocolate museum, or zip on over to Lime Ridge Mall for a hit on the famous Gold Bunny or a pound or two of chocolates for the Easter Bunny to hide. lindt.ca

10. Laura Secord

Who doesn't love the Secord Egg? This is still the place to go for Easter delights. Find your favourite mint meltaways and more. Peanut-free options are available. You can order online but you will also find stores in Lloyd D. Jackson Square, 2 King St. W., and Burlington Centre, 777 Guelph Line.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com