The most ‘popular’ Easter candy in Kansas according to DoorDash

(NEXSTAR) – Americans are expected to spend billions of dollars on Easter candy in 2024 — and you’d better believe a large portion is going toward chocolate eggs.

Be they filled with a peanutty paste or whatever that goop inside a Cadbury Crème Egg is supposed to be, chocolate eggs are the “most popular” Easter candies among DoorDash customers in the weeks before the holiday. In fact, the analysts at DoorDash have determined that chocolate eggs accounted for the largest share of Easter candy purchases in 47 states, based on sales data from this time last year.

The other three states — New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota — well, they just had to be different, didn’t they?

DoorDash data reveals the Easter candies that made up the largest percentage of orders in each state ahead of Easter 2023. (DoorDash)

The above map provided by DoorDash further indicates that America’s 47 egg-loving states are seemingly divided in their preferences for Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs and Cadbury Crème Eggs: The former seems to be more popular throughout the Midwest, South and Southeast, while the latter looks to be the preferred choice in parts of the West, Southwest and Northeast.

The other three states, meanwhile, appear to be buying larger shares of Starburst Jelly Beans (New Hampshire), Mars-brand candy packs (Pennsylvania) and pre-packaged “Easter Variety Packs” (South Dakota) in the weeks before Easter, according to DoorDash’s sales data from this time last year.

In addition to the above map, DoorDash has also compiled a list of the top-selling Easter candies in the entire U.S. based on 2023 sales data. At the top, unsurprisingly, are chocolate eggs. But bunnies, jellybeans and Peeps make a strong showing further down the rankings.

Top 10 Easter candies in the U.S., based on DoorDash sales data

Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs Candies

Cadbury Creme Egg Milk Chocolate Easter Candy

Starburst Jelly Beans Original

Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate Candy Share Pack

Snicker’s, Twix, Milky Way & More Assorted Easter Chocolate Candy Bulk Variety Pack

Galerie Value Jelly Beans Filled Egg

Lindt Milk Chocolate Bunny

Dove Milk Chocolate Easter Eggs

Peeps Marshmallow Chicks Candy

Ferrero Rocher Fine Hazelnut Chocolates Easter Bunny

Americans are expected to spend approximately $3.1 billion on Easter candy this year, or around 30% of their entire food budget for the holiday, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated earlier this month. The National Confectioners Association (NCA), however, estimates that number to be closer to $5 billion, based on historical buying trends.

The NCA, too, acknowledged that chocolate eggs were a top-selling Easter treat (right up there with chocolate bunnies), but its members don’t discriminate against consumers who prefer jellybeans or Peeps over goopy egg-like “crème.”

“No matter what treats they prefer, Americans can agree that every celebration is sweeter with chocolate and candy,” an NCA executive said.