As another candy-filled holiday approaches, it’s important to know what choices are on the market. 

Everyone’s familiar with popular Easter candy like Reese’s eggs, chocolate bunnies, and classic Peeps marshmallow chicks. Therefore, I decided to try a handful of non-traditional Easter candy found at my local Target, and see whether or not they should get more recognition.

Hot Tamale flavored Peeps: 6.5/10

Peeps are known for taking the Easter game by storm. Many children are delighted when they receive a

classic chick-shaped marshmallow covered in sugar, and I don’t blame them. This is why I was intrigued yet skeptical when I spotted Hot Tamale flavored Peeps.

Hot Tamales are a capsule-shaped, cinnamon flavored candy that are supposed to have a bit of a kick to them.

That didn’t really sound like it would go with marshmallow to me, but I kept an open mind.

The treat ended up being better than I expected. It pretty much just tasted like a cinnamon flavored marshmallow, and lacked the spice that comes with eating Hot Tamales. I found this to be a positive thing though, as a spicy marshmallow doesn’t sound all that appealing to me.

Overall, I think these treats are worth a try if you’re an adventurous eater or just really like cinnamon. However, you’re not missing much if you don’t. If you want my advice, I would just stick to the classic Peeps.

Caramel Mocha flavored Peeps: 8.5/10

Because Peeps are the default candy I think of when someone mentions Easter, I thought it was only right to

give another flavor I saw a try. I really didn’t know what to expect when I tried these, but I was very pleased.

There were many layers to this Peep that made it so delicious. It had a hardened chocolate shell along the bottom, and was filled with a sweet, thick caramel. The marshmallow itself was mocha flavored.

There’s only one critique I have about this Peep. While the treat is very tasty, the mocha flavor doesn’t really come through. In fact, I only got a subtle hint of it at the end. This isn’t a huge problem for me, but if you’re someone who wants to buy these because of your love for mochas, I don’t know if this is the candy for you.

While I don’t think these are better than an original Peep, I think it’s definitely picking up when doing some last minute Easter shopping. 

Lemon Crisp Kit Kats: 5/10; 9/10 (if you actually like lemon)

I decided to give this candy two different ratings. This is because I personally don’t like any sort of lemon flavored dessert, so I don’t think it’s fair to rate it so low since it would stand no chance to impress me.

Therefore, the first rating is based on my personal taste.

The second rating is how I would rate it if I did like lemon desserts. As someone who isn’t a fan of this flavor, it was definitely more tolerable for me to eat than other lemon treats I’ve tried in the past. When my mom tried one, she was shocked by how much she liked them.

They’re coated in a lemon creme, and a nice crunch is provided from the wafer inside.

This was a candy that I saw many of laying in the candy section of Target. I think many people looked past them since they’re unfamiliar, but they could be a satisfying option for any lemon lover.

“I didn’t even know some of the items you tried exist,” said James Gruber, junior and Target employee. “I think many people look past those candies when shopping for Easter.”

Funfetti Jelly Beans: 6/10

Jelly beans are candy that I often look past regardless of flavor, so I thought I should give these a try.

These pretty much tasted exactly like how they’re advertised. If you’ve ever had Funfetti cake or frosting, it’s really just that sweet powdered sugar type taste in a bite sized form.

“I actually really like jelly beans because I’m allergic to so many other candies,” said Audrey Austin, junior. “I’m curious to try a Funfetti one since it’s one of my favorite frostings.”

I’m not much of a jelly bean consumer, but I feel like they’re best in a fruit flavored form. While the flavor of these jelly beans isn’t bad, I would much rather just have a slice of Funfetti cake or spoonful of frosting than a jelly bean.

Vanilla Frosting filled Hershey Kisses: 7/10

While Hershey’s Kisses aren’t a staple Easter candy, the packaging of these caught my eye, and they were in the Easter section.

This was another treat that tasted just like the packaging implied. The outside was a regular Hershey’s Kiss,

and the inside had a thick vanilla frosting.

Because I liked all the components of this candy, I thought it was pretty good. My main critique though is that it was just too rich. I found my stomach starting to ache after just one Kiss, and the serving size was seven of them.

I also found the frosting to overpower the chocolate, which I didn’t like since the chocolate should be the star of a Hershey’s Kiss.

Kisses are a very popular candy that come in many different variations, but I would advise sticking to the classics and eating a vanilla frosted cupcake separately.

“Kisses are probably my favorite candy,” said Meg Dedeobbelaere, junior. “I like trying out their seasonal flavors, but I’ve always liked the classics the best.”

I had a lot of fun trying out these uncommon treats I found in the Easter section. I think all of them have their pros and cons, but none of them compare to their traditional counterparts.

If you want to try any of these candies you can visit your local Target.