Chocolate Easter eggs are an important treat for any Easter basket. Unless you live near a specialty candy shop, however, you may have been limited to mass produced chocolate eggs, that don't really satisfy a chocolate craving. To experience true decadence, why not make your own this year? This guide to how to make chocolate Easter eggs will help you add to the joy of the holiday.

Chocolate Easter eggs can serve as an Easter basket treat, a unique dessert, a centerpiece, or a favor for your guests to take home from the holiday celebration. Regardless of how you use them, they are not difficult to make, but will be sure to impress. *Once you've made homemade chocolate Easter eggs, you may never go back to store bought! By making them yourself, you can truly personalize this treat, both inside and out.

• Any type of chocolate can be used. The higher the quality, however, the better your eggs will taste!

1. Dark or milk chocolate, as desired
2. White chocolate for decorating
3. Food coloring
4. A double boiler or microwave to melt the chocolate
5. Heatproof bowl
6. Egg molds
7. Rubber spatula
8. Pastry bag with tip or sealable plastic bag with corner cut off for piping chocolate to decorate the eggs
9. Decorations, as desired

While the process of melting the chocolate, filling the molds, cooling, joining the halves with melted chocolate, and decorating is fairly straightforward, there are some steps you can take to ensure success.

1. Don't overfill the molds.
2. No molds? Use a deviled egg tray
3. Lightly coat the molds with oil to simplify release of the eggs.
4. Temper the chocolate before using for best results.
5. Allow the chocolate to harden thoroughly before removing the halves and assembling the eggs.
6. Handle the eggs gently, as they are fragile.
7. After "gluing" the halves together with chocolate, allow the eggs to set in the refrigerator.
8. When the eggs have hardened, pipe around the seam to strengthen the bond.
9. You can decorate the eggs with white chocolate that has been tinted pastel colors.
10. Purchase sugar decorations, such as chicks and bunnies, can be attached with melted chocolate or royal icing.
11. Wear thin cotton gloves while handling the eggs to avoid smudges.

• In case you need some ideas to get your creative juices flowing, here are some recipes and decorating ideas to get you started:

• BBC Food: Homemade Chocolate Easter Eggs

• Epicurious.com: Chocolate-Toffee Easter Eggs

• Recipezaar: Chocolate Easter Eggs

• Star Chefs: Easter Treats: How to Make a Chocolate Egg