Tuesday
Mar112008
Batter Chatter: Interview with a Cadbury Creme Egg
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
To some, the first daffodils or crocuses (crocii?) are the harbinger of spring. For others, changing the clocks and "springing ahead" will indicate the change of seasons. For us at Cakespy, it's all about the Cadbury Creme Egg. From their first timid showing in January, their presence slowly grows as the days get longer, to the point where they're mercilessly taking over end cap displays in the weeks before Easter. If this doesn't say "spring" we don't know what does. But have you ever paused to wonder what's up with that dense little egg-shaped treat? Where did it come from? Whose idea was it? And why, if it's already unrealistically chocolate colored on the outside, do they still simulate the yolk color inside? These things in mind, we sat down with the Cadbury Creme Egg and asked some of these pressing questions:
Cakespy: How are you today?
Cadbury Creme Egg: It's a sweet day indeed! Easter is approaching and business is booming! An estimated 300 million of my brethren will be produced and devoured this year.
CS: Err...yes. Well, can you tell us a little bit about how you came to be?
CCE: It was a long and winding road. It all started in 1875, when the Cadbury brothers introduced their first chocolate Easter eggs--my first known ancestors. They were solid chocolate and far different from the creme eggs of today. In 1923 the recipe further evolved with the addition of whipped fondant; through the years experiments were made with marzipan eggs and different recipes, but it it was ultimately me, the soft and gooey fondant egg, that was perfected in 1971 and has been breaking hearts and melting in mouths ever since.
CS: And how is it that you are made?
CCE: Well, it all starts in a half-egg shaped mold, which is then filled with solid white fondant and a dab of yellow fondant to simulate the yolk. The two halves are joined very quickly and then immediately cooled to allow the chocolate to set. The fondant filling, while solid while the eggs are made, is then injected with an enzyme which causes it to liquefy into the gooey substance found in the finished product. The finished eggs fall onto a conveyor belt which transports them to the foiling machines and then to the packing and shipping area.
CS: That enzyme thing is kind of gross.
CCE: I won't deny that. But does it make you want to eat me any less?
CS: (Pauses thoughtfully) Touché.
CS: You originally hail from the UK, but you're all the rage here in America too. Can you tell us a bit about how American Creme Eggs differ from the European counterparts?
CCE: We're bigger in the UK. I mean, literally. Hershey, the US producer of Cadbury Creme Eggs, elected to make us smaller in the US. This was kind of a scandal for a while, what with the initial response from the Cadbury spokespeople that "No we haven't shrunk you've just grown up!"--but yes, it's true. But truly, even if we're a bit smaller in your hand, we're just as big in your heart. Nonetheless, if you want the bigger one, just go over to Canada--the "full-size" ones are available there.
CS: Who came first, you or the mini (candy-coated) egg?
CCE: Well, the mini eggs were introduced in 1967. While I wasn't released in my current form til 1971, I had been a work in progress since before the turn of the century.
CS: Is there any rivalry between you and the mini egg?
CCE: Those little *$%#@s? No, none at all. Why would there be? (Stares stonily).
CS: OK, Moving on. Why is it that your innards are made color-appropriate to a real egg, but we have to suspend our disbelief with the color of your shell?
CCE: (Blinks uncomprehendingly for several moments) Well, smartypants, perhaps you should suspend this interview with me and instead interview my cousin, the Cadbury Dream Egg (white chocolate shell with white chocolate fondant filling)?
CS: How many different variations on the Creme Egg are there in the Cadbury family?
CCE: Well, aside from the aforementioned Cadbury Dream, my relatives include the following:
Mini Creme Eggs (bite-sized Creme Eggs), Caramel Eggs (soft caramel filling), Mini Caramel Eggs (bite-sized Caramel Eggs), Chocolate Creme Eggs (chocolate fondant filling)
Orange Creme Eggs (Creme Eggs with a hint of orange flavor), Mint Creme Eggs (green "yolk" and mint flavor chocolate--would make Dr. Seuss Proud), Dairy Milk with Creme Egg bars, Creme Egg Fondant in a Narrow Cardboard Tube (limited edition), and of course, who could forget Creme Egg ice cream with a fondant sauce in milk chocolate? Of course, many of these variations can only be found in the United Kingdom.
Mini Creme Eggs (bite-sized Creme Eggs), Caramel Eggs (soft caramel filling), Mini Caramel Eggs (bite-sized Caramel Eggs), Chocolate Creme Eggs (chocolate fondant filling)
Orange Creme Eggs (Creme Eggs with a hint of orange flavor), Mint Creme Eggs (green "yolk" and mint flavor chocolate--would make Dr. Seuss Proud), Dairy Milk with Creme Egg bars, Creme Egg Fondant in a Narrow Cardboard Tube (limited edition), and of course, who could forget Creme Egg ice cream with a fondant sauce in milk chocolate? Of course, many of these variations can only be found in the United Kingdom.
CS: A lot of vegans like to read Cakespy. Is there a vegan version of the Creme Egg available?
CCE: While none are sold under the Cadbury imprint, vegans can make their own using the recipe posted on this site.
CS: How do you feel about other novelty eggs inspired by you (Russel Stover, Snickers eggs, etc)?
CCE: Well, Cakespy, I could tell you that the Cadbury Creme Egg outsells every other chocolate bar during the time it's on sale each year. I could tell you that it's the number one brand in the filled egg market, with a market share of over 70% and a brand value of approximately 45 million pounds (UK). But really, isn't proof in the pudding? I'm the most delicious and therefore am not threatened by these inferior eggs.
CS: You're all the rage between January and Easter. Where do you go the rest of the year?
CCE: While I am only sold for a few months of the year, the demand does call for year-round prep and production. So while you won't see me in stores the rest of the year, I'm very much at work.
CS: Finally, in the UK you have the successful "How do you eat yours?" ad campaign, whereas in the US we have that clucking bunny. What's up with that?
CCE: No idea, that bunny's always freaked me out. Really, I have always identified much more with the UK campaign.
CS: So...how do you eat yours?
CCE: I think this interview is over (looks nervously around).
CS: I think we both know how this is going to end.
Fade to black.
Cakespy Note: We'd be nothing without our sources, and for this interview our sources were:
tagged batter chatter, cake history, cakespy mischief
batter chatter, cake history, cakespy mischief
Reader Comments (78)
What a SWEET interview! I used to devour these things in season when I was a kid. How interesting to find out about how they're made and all the different types. And what a lucky little Canadian I am--bigger eggs!
OMG - I love these things so much!! Cadbury also does a Wonderbar Egg, based on the Wonderbar chocolate bar, which I totally love. In the UK, you can get all kinds of Cadbury's eggs all year round. Generally, I am a huge fan of Cadbury's anything, but I particularly adored their Dairy Milk ice cream, which I think Bryers bought out...I haven't seen it for a long time.
I have actually been to Cadbury's world in England...I should post some pictures after I scan them (this was in 1997). I have a great one of me next to a Cadbury's mini egg car!
Cute! I'm still trying to absorb Easter is coming soon.
I can't stand it! This is THE cleverest post! I love it! What an imagination you have.
oooh me. you're so clever.
i can't stand cadbury creme eggs, but they look somewhat more appealing with glasses...
thanks for the chuckles. :)
That's sooo cute! I didn't know half of those facts although I have been a cadbury's lover all my life. Great memories. I don't know if I want to know what they are made of because that'd probably crush all my good memories. And I didn't know Hershey's owned them. I've learned so many things today...
I like the shirtless guy!
How cool - I have always wondered how they made creme eggs. The enzyme thing is gross, but it won't stop me from eating a few (dozen?!?) this Easter.
HA! Egg-cellent!!! I had no idea there was a Cadbury Dream Egg available and if I can find it in the US I intend to eat one! Perhaps before Easter you could also bag an interview with some Marshmallow Peeps!
I love cadboury. I think it is because it was the only chocolate available in India when i was growing up.
Here in Belgium we don't get as here they have their own famous brands, but when ever my hubby goes to UK i ask hime to bring me things from cadboury.
Hi hi we are going by end of March to London then i will buy for sure few of these eggs :-)))
My entire family has always been disgusted at my love for cadbury creme eggs. I have loved tham as long as I can remember. My Gram still buys me a 3 pack every Easter.
I had no idea we were getting short changed in the US though. I am determined to get my hands on the bigger creme egg now!
Great interview, but so cruel this early in the AM, I so want one now.
Good morning, cutie-pants! Great way to start the day.... This all makes sense now. I noticed the Cadbury eggs were bigger when we lived in Canada.... There's another chocolate egg with prizes inside (think Cracker Jacks from when we were younger) - I think it's European, but don't know the brand.
Have a great day!
How does he feel about the Reeses Peanut butter eggs? I often pass Mr. Cadbury over for those.
BTW, in Toronto, I lived mere blocks away from a Cadbury factory. Sometimes the air smelled like chocolate.
HeHe! Great post just before Easter. My kids love those, I am not that much into sweets and chocolates.
We went Hershey, PA once when kids were young, smell of so much chocolates made me queezy at end of that trip but my kids ate them until they fainted (kidding)!!:D
that is hilariously brilliant!
phil, um chocolate smelling air, that's like Utopia!
Love your use of whimsy!
Clever!! I'm more of a Russell Stover egg type, but any Easter candy is all good to me!!!
*Love* the glasses. A nice touch :).
Very cute interview. For some reason, the pictures weren't viewable on my computer today :(
I used to love these things as a kid. Just might have to pick one up for myself this year!
Oh that was brilliant! I too believe that Spring begins when *the* eggs are out. Although... the fact that they are marketing them for all holidays (ie the Christmas 'ornament' egg) is making it a tad less special.
This was the cutest ever! I heart heart heart Cadbury eggs and have also had the larger European ones - YUMMO! Very very witty :) And now I must find those Cadbury Dream Eggs!
I adore the Cadbury Egg! I had my first one in 1975 while visiting an aunt in Wales. She sent me one for Easter after that every year until she passed away in 1980. I still prefer the ones from the UK and Canada to the ones made here.
Great post with your um... dearly departed guest?
These were always in my Easter basket as a child.....I don't think I could eat one now. Although he looks EXTREMELY sexy w/glasses on.......perhaps we would have a different outcome now.
Could we also do away w/the word "innards"......jeeeeesh that grosses me out.
Fab interview! I love Cadbury's caramel eggs. I wish they had the Dream egg, plus the mint and orange varients over here in the UK :(
Haha, wonderful interview! I've never really been a fan of creme eggs, but this was still a great read!
This made my day. Too funny! Though I must say that I'm much more of a Mini Egg lover.