Why do chocolate Easter eggs have a cracked pattern on the outside?

The cracked pattern on chocolate Easter eggs isn't actually cracks, but rather a decorative design called "craquelure."

Here's why it's done:

* Aesthetic Appeal: The craquelure pattern gives the chocolate egg a more intricate and elegant look, making it visually appealing and festive for Easter.

* Imitating Traditional Eggshells: The pattern resembles the natural cracks found on eggshells, adding to the Easter theme.

* Easier to Break: The pattern gives the impression that the egg is fragile and easily breakable, making it more fun for children to "crack" open.

The craquelure effect is achieved by tempering the chocolate properly. Tempering involves heating and cooling the chocolate to specific temperatures, which changes its structure and makes it harder and more brittle. This allows for the formation of the delicate cracks on the surface of the egg.

So, the cracked pattern is a deliberate design choice that adds to the appeal and enjoyment of chocolate Easter eggs.