Well I think I'm a bit behind this year, 'cos the Easter Hols are almost upon us, but I've been waiting for the goods to appear on the shelves and Waitrose has certainly taken their time over it!!
Usually, I try to make the list as exhaustive as possible, but this year... well there's so much out there, that I'm not sure I can do it all justice! However, that's great for me and you, though, as it means we have CHOICE!! YAY!!
I'm planning to cut the waffle this year, by providing easy to read tables, containing the information YOU need to know! I've tried to make sure the information I've supplied is as accurate as possible, but if you spot anything amiss, please let me know!
To help you make your choice, here is an overview of the dietary information:
Y = yes
Please note: 'Choices' does not say 'nut free' on the packaging, but a nut free mum interrogated them on this issue and was happy with their response. Montezumas may contain milk traces, but I'm not clear as to whether they have Vegan accreditation. Just to be clear, I think my little one has reacted to their chocolate in the past, but I believe others have been okay.
Also Hotel Chocolate is 'made without' this indicates a certain risk. We seem to be okay with it, but I would not like to make that guarantee for anyone else. If you're not entirely sure, as to whether their products are okay for you, it may be worth contacting them, before making a decision regarding their products.
Hopefully, this table will help you as you read this post, so you know which brands will be suitable for your requirements and can scan down to the bits that are relevant for you.
I'm planning to cut the waffle this year, by providing easy to read tables, containing the information YOU need to know! I've tried to make sure the information I've supplied is as accurate as possible, but if you spot anything amiss, please let me know!
To help you make your choice, here is an overview of the dietary information:
Dairy Free
|
Gluten Free
|
Soya Free
|
Nut Free
|
Vegan
|
|
Booja
Booja
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
-
|
Y
|
Choices
|
Y
|
Y
|
Soya Lecithin
|
Y
|
Y
|
Hotel
Chocolat (dark)
|
*Made without
|
Made without
|
Soya Lecithin
|
-
|
-
|
Hotel
Chocolat
(Milk-Free
Milk)
|
Made without
|
Made without
|
Y
|
-
|
-
|
Kinnerton
|
Y
|
Y
|
Soya Lecithin
|
Y
|
|
Moo
Free
|
Y
|
Y
|
May Contain
|
-
|
-
|
Montezumas
|
May contain
|
Y
|
Y
|
May contain
|
-
|
Plamil
|
Y
|
Y
|
May Contain
|
Y
|
Y
|
Please note: 'Choices' does not say 'nut free' on the packaging, but a nut free mum interrogated them on this issue and was happy with their response. Montezumas may contain milk traces, but I'm not clear as to whether they have Vegan accreditation. Just to be clear, I think my little one has reacted to their chocolate in the past, but I believe others have been okay.
Also Hotel Chocolate is 'made without' this indicates a certain risk. We seem to be okay with it, but I would not like to make that guarantee for anyone else. If you're not entirely sure, as to whether their products are okay for you, it may be worth contacting them, before making a decision regarding their products.
Hopefully, this table will help you as you read this post, so you know which brands will be suitable for your requirements and can scan down to the bits that are relevant for you.
Now, let's not waste any more time faffing, let's get straight to business, with the more affordable eggs, which are fairly easy to get hold of!!
Choices/Celtic Chocolates
A great dairy free 'milk' chocolate brand, from Ireland. They have their usual offerings available, some larger, some small, with the option of a 'white chocolate' egg and 'milk' and 'white chocolate bunnies'.
 |
| Here's the bunnies in Asda. |
They have a dark chocolate egg too. However, although they're widespread some of the packaging might vary, as most of the supermarket own brands are just the same, but with their own pretty packaging on top.
See:
 |
| Sainsbury's? It's Choices! |
And in Asda, like so:
 |
| Better value! |
This year, in Sainsbury's, in a little bit of a new departure, they have themed their chocolate discs in Easter foil. Very pretty too!
 |
| Easter discs. Cute! |
Price:
Small White Egg
|
Small Milk Choc.Egg
|
Milk Egg with Choc. Disc
|
Milk Egg with Caramels
|
Dark Choc. Egg
|
Choc. Bunny
|
|
Asda
|
-
|
-
|
*£3.00
|
-
|
-
|
£0.99
|
Tesco
|
-
|
£2.50
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
£1.00
|
Morrison’s
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Sainsbury’s
|
*£2.49
|
-
|
*£3.49
|
£3.49
|
£3.49
|
£1.00
|
Waitrose
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Ocado
|
£3.50
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
£1.00
|
Holland
& Barrett
|
£2.79
|
£2.79
|
£4.50
|
-
|
£4.50
|
-
|
TKMaxx
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
£3.99 |
- |
*Supermarket
‘own brand’
The small egg and the bunny in Tesco, disappeared for a month or so, and have reappeared again, so no guarantees that you'll actually find them there!
Moo Free
A very popular choice of 'milk' chocolate for dairy free chocolate lovers, this company's profile has just grown and grown! Their organic medium size egg come in four flavours: Original, Bunnycomb (honeycomb) and Orange.
 |
| New packaging, this year! |
Price:
Moo Free Milk Chocolate
|
Moo Free Orange Flavour
|
Moo Free Bunnycomb
|
|
Asda
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Tesco
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Morrison’s
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Sainsbury’s
|
£3.99
|
-
|
-
|
Waitrose
|
£3.99
|
£3.99
|
£3.99
|
Ocado
|
£3.99
|
-
|
-
|
Holland
& Barrett
|
£4.50
|
£4.50
|
£4.50
|
Please note: Holland and Barrett have had a buy one, get one half price promotion. There may be other promotions to come!
Kinnerton
Kinnerton produce a dark style dairy free chocolate. Speaking as someone who prefers milk chocolate, this one is fairly easy on the palate.
 |
| No change here, then! |
Price:
Kinnerton Dark Chocolate Egg
|
Kinnerton Dark Chocolate
Bunny
|
|
Asda
|
£4.98
|
£1.98
|
Tesco
|
£5.00
|
£3.00
|
Morrison’s
|
-
|
-
|
Sainsbury’s
|
£5.99
|
-
|
Waitrose
|
-
|
-
|
Ocado
|
-
|
£3.00
(2 for £5)
|
Holland
& Barrett
|
-
|
-
|
Home
Bargains
|
£1.99
|
-
|
Tesco was stocking the egg, but sold out 'round our way ages ago! You may still find the bunny, though!
Mark's and Spencer also stock this egg, but in their own packaging. See here:
 |
| You'd never know it was the same egg, from the packaging! |
Curiously enough and rather confusingly, they do not claim it's nut free, as Kinnerton do with theirs!
Plamil
Made with organic chocolate, until fairly recently, they were only available online (via Plamil's online shop, or online Free From or Vegan sites) or in independent health food stores, these are now widely available through Holland and Barrett.
 |
| Cute packaging! |
Plamil make a medium size egg and a packet of mini chocolate halves- perfect for Easter egg hunts, especially when they're encased in these plastic eggs from Poundland!
 |
| Pack of small plastic eggs from Poundland. £1 for 18. |
They also make Holland and Barrett's 'own brand' egg!
Price:
Easter Egg:
Holland and Barrett £4.99, although Holland & Barrett's 'own brand', which is the same thing costs £3.50.
Direct from Plamil (plus P&P) £3.69
Direct from Plamil (plus P&P) £3.69
Easter Egg Halves:
Holland and Barrett £5.99
Direct from Plamil (plus P&P) £4.95
If you're not milk allergic, or don't need to worry about 'may contain', then there are more options, check out the Dark Chocolate from Divine and Green and Blacks.
Moving onto the luxury brands, these include:
Booja Booja
Booja Booja Easter eggs are made with papier mache, which contain a packet of their rather sumptuous truffles. The outer eggs are a feast for the eyes and make a wonderful souvenir ornament (or could be re-used next year, if you refill them with more of their truffles)!
I must say, I was under the impression that they had three sizes of egg last year, but this year, I have only come across two!
You can usually also find these in independent health food shops, where prices may vary!
Hotel Chocolat
Update Good Friday 2015: I have just heard via a Twitter contact that Hotel Chocolat will not guarantee their new 'milk-free milk' chocolate is free of all traces of dairy. I was unable to find the information on their website, when I was researching their products. I cannot help but feel that they should have made this clear from the start. Please read the rest of this entry on Hotel Chocolat in the light of this new information.
Much of Hotel Chocolat's dark chocolate is made without dairy and gluten. They have strict procedures regarding cleaning equipment, which has not caused trouble for my little girl, as far as we are aware.
This year, in a new departure, Hotel Chocolat have extended their range to include a 'Milk-Free Milk Chocolate' made with almonds.
Direct from Plamil (plus P&P) £4.95
If you're not milk allergic, or don't need to worry about 'may contain', then there are more options, check out the Dark Chocolate from Divine and Green and Blacks.
 |
| Made without dairy but not suitable for those with milk allergy |
Moving onto the luxury brands, these include:
Booja Booja
Booja Booja Easter eggs are made with papier mache, which contain a packet of their rather sumptuous truffles. The outer eggs are a feast for the eyes and make a wonderful souvenir ornament (or could be re-used next year, if you refill them with more of their truffles)!
I must say, I was under the impression that they had three sizes of egg last year, but this year, I have only come across two!
 |
| Sumptuous to look at and sumptuous to eat! |
Large Booja Booja Egg
|
Small Booja Booja Egg
|
|
Asda
|
-
|
-
|
Tesco
|
-
|
-
|
Morrison’s
|
-
|
-
|
Sainsbury’s
|
-
|
-
|
Waitrose
|
-
|
-
|
Ocado
|
£24.99
(buy 2 save £10)
|
£9.99
(buy 2 save 20%)
|
Holland
& Barrett
|
-
|
£9.99
|
You can usually also find these in independent health food shops, where prices may vary!
Hotel Chocolat
Update Good Friday 2015: I have just heard via a Twitter contact that Hotel Chocolat will not guarantee their new 'milk-free milk' chocolate is free of all traces of dairy. I was unable to find the information on their website, when I was researching their products. I cannot help but feel that they should have made this clear from the start. Please read the rest of this entry on Hotel Chocolat in the light of this new information.
Much of Hotel Chocolat's dark chocolate is made without dairy and gluten. They have strict procedures regarding cleaning equipment, which has not caused trouble for my little girl, as far as we are aware.
This year, in a new departure, Hotel Chocolat have extended their range to include a 'Milk-Free Milk Chocolate' made with almonds.
Must admit, their new range is quite appealing, including these Easter treats:
 |
| Classy! |
Milk Free Goose Egg £10
 |
| Already a fave with 'Baby'! |
Bunny Lick £2.50
See their full milk free range (including dark chocolate) here.
Montezumas
I've included Montezumas range in this post, despite the fact they are not (as I would see it) completely dairy free, but purely because I know some dairy free people have no adverse reaction and love them. They are an organic brand and are available online, through their small chain of shops and in Holland and Barrett.
Price:
Holland and Barrett £7.50
Montezumas £7.99
Meanwhile, online, this year, the following options have caught my eye:
Ayni
Ayni's range is all handmade raw chocolate, which is dairy, gluten, nut and soya free and suitable for Vegans. I haven't tried it, so can't vouch for the quality, although Umm assures me it is lovely, but there is plenty of choice on the website (there are two pages of Easter products, if you follow the link above.
Cocoa Libre
This chocolate I have tried and can vouch for! They are very yummy indeed!! A full review of what I made of them can be found by following this link. They have just brought out some Easter chicks, but I think these little lambs are just as topical!
You can buy Cocoa Libre online from their website, or through the stockists listed on their website, see here. From what I understand, some of Cocoa Libre's range can also be bought online from Holland and Barrett.
D and D Chocolates
Now these, I have tried! From what I understand, their chocolate is supplied by Plamil, so meets the same standard. Their range is great for any dairy free Easter egg hunts. Follow this link for the current range.
These small solid chocolate eggs (they have new packaging this year) have proved very useful in the past!
These eggs are currently priced £6.95.
For those who prefer it, they also do a range of carob.
Online
There are a number of online shops that stock dairy free Easter eggs, some of which have already mentioned, along with a few other tasty treats. These stores include:
Alternative Stores
Animal Aid
Free From for Kids
Goodness Direct
Tasha's Dairy Free Delights
The Vegan Store
Right, well, that should be enough to keep you busy enough for a while! SO, I'll save some other little Easter treats for another post - to follow soon!
Meanwhile, why not check out some related posts?
I've included Montezumas range in this post, despite the fact they are not (as I would see it) completely dairy free, but purely because I know some dairy free people have no adverse reaction and love them. They are an organic brand and are available online, through their small chain of shops and in Holland and Barrett.
Price:
Holland and Barrett £7.50
Montezumas £7.99
Meanwhile, online, this year, the following options have caught my eye:
Ayni
Ayni's range is all handmade raw chocolate, which is dairy, gluten, nut and soya free and suitable for Vegans. I haven't tried it, so can't vouch for the quality, although Umm assures me it is lovely, but there is plenty of choice on the website (there are two pages of Easter products, if you follow the link above.
Cocoa Libre
This chocolate I have tried and can vouch for! They are very yummy indeed!! A full review of what I made of them can be found by following this link. They have just brought out some Easter chicks, but I think these little lambs are just as topical!
 |
| 'Scuse the poor piccy quality! |
D and D Chocolates
Now these, I have tried! From what I understand, their chocolate is supplied by Plamil, so meets the same standard. Their range is great for any dairy free Easter egg hunts. Follow this link for the current range.
These small solid chocolate eggs (they have new packaging this year) have proved very useful in the past!
 |
| We love these! |
These eggs are currently priced £6.95.
For those who prefer it, they also do a range of carob.
Online
There are a number of online shops that stock dairy free Easter eggs, some of which have already mentioned, along with a few other tasty treats. These stores include:
Alternative Stores
Animal Aid
Free From for Kids
Goodness Direct
Tasha's Dairy Free Delights
The Vegan Store
Right, well, that should be enough to keep you busy enough for a while! SO, I'll save some other little Easter treats for another post - to follow soon!
Meanwhile, why not check out some related posts?
Related posts:
Howzat! On turning a 'normal' Easter egg into one which is Dairy Free!
Have yourself a Dairy Free Easter Egg Hunt!
Hotel Chocolat's Milk-Free Milk Chocolate
Cocoa Libre Dairy Free Milk
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