The Easter weekend is finally upon us, which means that many people across Greater Manchester will be enjoying four full days off of work. While some may take the opportunity to head to the seaside or countryside, others will be making their way into the city to take full advantage of the packed calendar of events and activities taking place over the long weekend.
If you're looking to eat and drink your way round the city centre, then you're in for a treat. Manchester's restaurants and bars have risen to the occasion with some extra special Easter treats.
From hot cross bun bagels and cocktails to massive cookie bowls and Mini Egg martinis, there's plenty of sweet treats to stock up on and get stuck into. Here are some of the best available.
Batch'd: Cookie Bowls
This week, Batch'd - a cake business promoting only the wares of small-batch bakeries across the north, has been busy serving up giant cookie bowls stuffed with Crème Egg, Kinder Bueno and Mini Eggs. The stalls, which operate out of The Arndale, The Trafford Centre and Victoria, have a range of Easter specials to see visitors through the bank holiday weekend.
The cookie bowls, created by 42nd East Bakehouse are ideal for sharing, which is why they come at a slightly steep price tag of £12, but are packed full of treats including Kinder Bueno slices, a copious amount of cookie dough, Mini Eggs, white chocolate slabs and Cadbury Crème Eggs. Customers can also pick up treats such as Mini Egg brownies and blondies and Kinder Bueno cookie pies.
Batch'd, Manchester Arndale, Upper Mall, Manchester M4 3AQ
The Botanist: Crème Egg Cookie Dough and Mint Choc Martini
If it's something extremely indulgent you're after, then The Botanist on Deansgate has you covered. The restaurant and bar has created two limited-edition treats using chocolate Mini Eggs.
The Crème Egg Cookie Dough (£7.95), topped with vanilla ice cream, curly wurly sauce and mini eggs, is matched with a Mint Choc Martini (£8.25), whipped up by the Botanist's in-house cocktail masters. The cocktail's creamy mixture of coffee, mint liqueurs and vanilla syrup comes garnished with a chocolate rim and crushed Mini Eggs, and is available Friday, April 15 through to Monday, April 18.
The Botanist Bar & Restaurant, 78 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2FW
Alex's Bakery: Brownies and Blondies
Over at Great Northern Warehouse, you'll find Alex's Bakery, the brainchild of dedicated baker Alexandra Furlan. Here, you can get your hands on some pretty special treats from stuffed Bueno Brownies to Jammy Dodger blondies.
This week, they've been busy whipping up some Easter specials including Crème Egg brownies, Mini Egg Waffles and Blondies, and Brownie Scotch Eggs. Make sure to grab some while they last.
Alex's Bakery, 225 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
Moxy Manchester City: Crèm e Egg-spresso Martini
Manchester's neighbourhood hotel Moxy Manchester City, a former hat factory in the heart of Manchester's Spinningfields district recently opened its doors. Offering a stylish spot to work, play and stay, the hotel is quickly becoming known for its impressive drinks offering.
Ushering in the bank holiday weekend, the city centre bolthole is - for a limited time only - offering a creative spin on a much-loved cocktail. The Crème Egg-spresso Martini promises a rich and decadent affair and features Red Leg spiced rum, chocolate liqueur, white chocolate, vanilla cream and of course, cookie dough.
Moxy Manchester City, 8 Atkinson St, Manchester M3 3HH
Bread Flower: Hot Cross Bun Bagel
For all your bagel and flower needs it has to be Bread Flower. So, this weekend they've created a special hot cross bun treat. The bagel has been in development for some time and the result promises to be utterly delicious.
So what can you expect from this bagel-bun hybrid? A cardamom and cinnamon raisin bagel, topped with the classic cross and finished with an apricot glaze - available with orange marmalade for an extra touch of decadence.
Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP
Mecanica: Hot Cross Bun Cocktail
Meanwhile, if you're up for trying an Easter staple in liquid form then Mecanica in the Northern Quarter has just the ticket. The Hot Cross Bun cocktail, comprising cinnamon butter washed bourbon, Pedro Ximénez and orange bitters conjures up all the flavours of the much-loved Easter treat, and is one not to miss.
Mecanica, 1-3 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JJ
Gooey: Easter Box
If you planning a trip to Ducie Street Warehouse for one of Bread Flower's bagels, then why not plan ahead and also order one of Gooey's special Easter boxes? The box, which will be available from its kiosk inside Ducie Street features a carrot cake cookie, an Easter donut filled with white chocolate mousse and passion fruit jam, a red velvet cookie cake and a dulce de leche-glazed cruller.
Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP
The Midland: The Midland Bunny & Limoncello Spritz
From themed cocktails amongst the flowers in The Midland Champagne Lounge to perfectly roasted lamb in Mount Street Dining Room & Bar, Easter at The Midland hotel promises to be extra special this year.
Created especially for the bank holiday, The Midland Bunny - a mix of vodka, Kahlua, a coffee chocolate mix and gomme - and Limoncello Spritz - Limoncello, soda and prosecco - are both of available alongside the usual bar menu. The hotel's modern British dining room is also serving up a Easter Sunday Roast Lamb with all the trimmings.
The Midland, 16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
Hey Little Cupcake!: Easter Cupcakes
If you find yourself near to Spinningfields this Easter, you may stumble across Hey Little Cupcake!, purveyors of freshly baked cupcakes, cookies and brownies. Their holiday display is particularly enticing and features specialities such as the Gourmet Easter Cupcake, Easter Egg Hunt and The Cookie Monster.
Hey Little Cupcake!, 2 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3HF
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