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CASH-STRAPPED families are ­forking out more than twice as much for some Easter treats as they did five years ago.

The Sun on Sunday can reveal that the cost of ­popular foods including eggs, chocolate bunnies and hot cross buns has soared since 2020, with some now more than DOUBLE the original price.

Three children eating chocolate Easter eggs.
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The cost of Easter eggs and treats like hot cross buns has surged over the past five yearsCredit: Getty
Three chocolate creme eggs; two are broken open, revealing the creamy filling.
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Creme Eggs are the worst offender with multi-packs of the iconic snacks more than doubling in priceCredit: Alamy

Cadbury is the worst offender as the cost of its Creme Eggs has shot up over half a decade.

A five-pack of Creme Eggs at Tesco was £1.65 in 2020 but is now £3.50 — that is an increase of 112 per cent.

It isn’t just chocolate that has a higher price tag either, because hot cross buns have also gone up.

Co-op’s Irresistible Richly Fruited Luxury Hot Cross Buns were £1.35 during the Covid pandemic but are now £1.50 — an 11 per cent jump.

READ MORE ON EASTER

And M&S Made Without Wheat Hot Cross Buns have increased by 47 per cent from £1.50 to £2.20.

Meanwhile, other items have not only gone up in price but down in weight.

Consumer expert Martyn James said: “Price rises like this make me hot . . . and cross!

“There is no justification for the rampant price-hiking and shrinkflation that is forcing struggling families into the red at the exact point all bills go up. It’s greedy and selfish.”

Tesco, Lidl and Lindt all said they were forced to increase prices because of the rising price of cocoa.

Hotel Chocolat said it continually tries to “absorb” growing costs.

I tried new Cadbury Easter bag at Dunnes Stores and here’s exactly what you get in it, what do you think

A spokesman for Cadbury owners Mondelez said high “energy and transport” costs were also to blame.

Terry’s owner Carambar & Co said: “The cost of cocoa has been going up over the last few years, and sky-rocketed recently.

“With this unprecedented challenge we made the difficult decision to make some adjustments.”

The Co-op and M&S declined to comment.

Five-pack of Cadbury Creme Eggs.
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A five-pack of Creme Eggs now costs £3.50 at TescoCredit: Alamy
  • 2020: Cadbury Creme Egg 5 pack 200g at Tesco - £1.65
  • 2025: Cadbury Creme Egg 5 pack 200g at Tesco - £3.50
  • Price increase = 112%
Cadbury Creme Egg in its foil wrapper.
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An individual Creme Egg now costs 85p, an increase of almost half the costCredit: Alamy
  • 2020: Cadbury Creme Egg: 58p
  • 2025: Cadbury Creme Egg: 85p
  • Price increase = 46%
Bag of Favorina Amaretto Liqueur dark chocolate eggs.
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Lidl's Favorina Chocolate Hollow Eggs are 50% more expensiveCredit: Lidl
  • 2020: Lidl Favorina Chocolate Hollow Eggs 400g: £2.99
  • 2025: Lidl Favorina Chocolate Hollow Eggs 300g 2025: £4.49
  • Percentage increase = 50%
Package of richly fruited hot cross buns.
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Co-op's delicious hot cross buns have seen a small increase in priceCredit: Supplied
  • 2020: Co-op Irresistible Limited Edition Richly Fruited Luxury Hot Cross Buns: £1.35
  • 2025: Co-op Irresistible Limited Edition Richly Fruited Luxury Hot Cross Buns: £1.50
  • Price increase = 11%
Bag of Celebrations Easter Mix chocolates.
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Celebrations Easter Mix contains 100g less and costs £1 more than it did in 2020Credit: Supplied
  • 2020: Celebrations Easter Mix 450g: £3.50
  • 2025: Celebrations Easter Mix 350g: £5
  • Price increase = 43%
Box of three chocolate animal figurines: chick, lamb, and rabbit.
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Hotel Chocolat's Pen Pals have increased in cost by 20%Credit: Supplied
  • 2020: Hotel Chocolat’s Pen Pals 120g: £10
  • 2025: Hotel Chocolat’s Pen Pals 120g: £11.95
  • Price increase = 20%
Two Lindt Goldhase chocolate bunnies in gold foil wrappers with red ribbons and bells.
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There has been a 51p increase on the cost of Lindt Gold Bunny chocolatesCredit: Alamy
  • 2020: Lindt Gold Bunny 100g: £2.99
  • 2025: Lindt Gold Bunny 100g: £3.50
  • Price increase = 17%
Package of four gluten-free hot cross buns.
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M&S has also increased the cost of hot cross buns, by almost halfCredit: Supplied
  • 2020: M&S Made Without Wheat hot cross buns: £1.50
  • 2025: M&S Made Without Wheat hot cross buns: £2.20
  • Price increase = 47%

Read More on The Sun

Galaxy Minstrels Easter egg and chocolates.
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A Galaxy Minstrels Easter Egg still costs £4, but customers get less for their money

  • 2020: Galaxy Minstrels Easter Egg 262g: £4, Price per 100g: £1.52
  • 2025: Galaxy Minstrels Easter Egg 204g: £4, Price increase per 100g: £1.96
  • Price increase for 58g less = 0%
Terry's Chocolate Orange mini eggs box.
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Terry's Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs have reduced in size and increased in costCredit: Gary Stone
  • 2020: Terry’s Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs 80g: £1
  • 2025: Terry’s Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs 70g 2025: £1.50
  • Price increase = 50%
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