Every year in the US, a confectionary battle rages in the run-up to the Easter and Halloween holidays. Both are known as a time for sweet-treat indulgences, the weeks running up to the two festive periods are the most lucrative for sweet makers, according to Nielsen data, with one trumping the other reciprocally.
While its origins are deeply religious, the association of Easter with cakes and other sweet treats dates back centuries. In the UK and Ireland, for example, simnel cakes, a light fruitcake, have been baked since medieval times. The cakes are usually topped with 11 marzipan balls, to represent Jesus's apostles.
Easter symbols such as bunnies, eggs and chicks, each with their own origin stories, appear in the form of desserts and treats at this time of the year.
Dubai dessert company Sugar Moo says orders for their sweet treats surge a few days before Easter, starting with Good Friday. Like every year, the company has created a special collection to take advantage of the Easter (sugar) rush.
This year's colourful menu includes an Easter bunny cake, cakesicles or popsicle-shaped cakes, truffles, and a decorate-your-own-cookie set, complete with cookies, piping bags filled with icing, and sprinkles.
Founded in 2014, Sugar Moo is in Dubai's Al Quoz neighbourhood and operates kiosks in Nakheel Mall, Dubai International Financial Centre and Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.
Several UAE brands and destinations have Easter activities planned, including Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, which is bringing back its annual Marina Hop on Easter Sunday; and Address Beach Resort in Dubai is hosting an Easter egg painting activity for children.
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
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Royal Birkdale Golf Course
Location: Southport, Merseyside, England
Established: 1889
Type: Private
Total holes: 18
More coverage from the Future Forum
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
