Catalan pastry shops have already put on their best displays for the campaign. EasterAnd this year there are some very clear guests in the shop windows: the characters and monsters from the series Stranger ThingsThe traditional chocolate Easter cakes, which travel from godparents to their godchildren every Easter Monday, are now filled with television references without losing the classic touch that has made them so popular.
Among colorful feathers, chocolate eggs, and the typical chicks, figures that recreate the Demogorgons and others Fantastic creatures from the Stranger Things universeThis trend coexists with other usual protagonists of the Easter cakes, but pastry chefs agree that the fantasy series is, by far, the one that is driving the most sales this season in Barcelona and the surrounding area.
Stranger Things dominates Easter cakes in 2026
According to Barcelona Pastry Guild, the demand for chocolate figures based on Stranger Things It's at the top of the popularity rankings. The guild president, Miquel Zaguirre, explains that it's a series that's "a huge hit" among young people and that, as is often the case, what's successful on screen ends up making its way into the bakery and the shop window.
Amid this Netflix fiction craze, bakeries are mainly producing Demogorgons and monsters from the Upside DownBut there are also figures reminiscent of the series' human protagonists. The combination of dark aesthetics and fantasy fits surprisingly well with the Easter cake format, which allows for playing with impossible shapes and intricate details in chocolate.
This preference for Stranger Things doesn't mean other characters disappear. Figures from [unclear] continue to appear. universes like football, anime, or children's seriesBut the fantasy phenomenon stands out as the big draw of the season. Many pastry chefs report orders placed weeks in advance by families who want to ensure they get the perfect "geeky" Easter cake.
The appeal among children and teenagers helps keep the tradition very much alive. Newer generations, not inclined to repeat customs out of habit, become hooked on the Easter cake precisely because they identify with it. their favorite heroes, villains, and monsters turned into chocolate figures.
A very lively tradition that is modernizing
Beyond the trends of each year, the ritual of the Easter Monas It remains one of the most deeply rooted traditions in Catalonia and much of the Mediterranean region. The custom dictates that the godfather or godmother gives the godchild a "mona," which can be a chocolate figurea traditional cake or a combination of both formats.
In recent years, however, the profile of those who buy Easter cakes has broadened. It is increasingly common that families without a godparent-godchild relationship Reserve your Easter cake to celebrate together, or buy them as gifts for friends, not just children. This flexibility has allowed the tradition to remain open and adapt to new ways of celebrating.
The president of the association emphasizes that the generations now with young children are especially committed to maintaining these traditions. Many families value their children experiencing these customs. the experience of choosing the Easter cake, looking in shop windows and using the figure for the first time on Easter Sunday, just like they did when they were little, although now the protagonists are called Demogorgon instead of Mazinger Z.
This blend of classic background and modern packaging is also evident in the decorative elements. The following remain: eggs, feathers and chicks, as alwaysThese are combined with rubber dolls or themed elements linked to popular TV series. All of this transforms many of the figures into veritable miniature scenes.
Chocolate figures: prices and craftsmanship
Economically, the Barcelona Pastry Guild It is expected that the prices of Easter cakes will remain fairly stable compared to previous years. chocolate figures They are generally situated among the 40 and 80 euros, with variations depending on the size and, above all, the complexity of the piece.
Miquel Zaguirre insists that the component that weighs most heavily in the final price is not so much the quantity of cocoa as the time and dedication that each figure requires. Many of these creations, especially the most spectacular ones inspired by Stranger Things, can require between three and four hours of meticulous work, including molds, assembly, chocolate painting, and final details.
The sector has had to deal with external factors in recent years such as inflation or the volatility of cocoa pricesEven so, bakers try to contain price increases and, when increases do occur, they link them primarily to the general increase in the cost of living (CPI) and not to a unilateral decision by the trade.
Furthermore, it is worth remembering that each figure is, in practice, an almost unique piece: a simple egg is not the same as a multi-story demogorgon with tentacles and decorated baseThis artistic difference explains why some monkeys can be quite different from the average price and become "star" gifts for those who want to impress their godson.
The Easter cake: the other great Easter classic
Although the characters from Stranger Things steal the spotlight, the Easter cake It continues to be a fundamental part of the celebration. While the figure is usually displayed prominently in the shop window for several days, it's the cake that truly stands out. crowns the table on Easter Day and brings the whole family together.
The favorite remains the traditional cake of candied fruitMade with sponge cake, a layer of jam, a touch of syrup, and the classic sweet topping, usually accompanied by a chocolate egg. This model coexists with very popular variations of buttercream (like Sara), cream, truffle or all chocolate, which adapt to more modern tastes.
Regarding prices, the Easter cakes for groups of four or five people They move within a range of 30 and 40 eurosDepending on the type of preparation and the finishes, the bakeries emphasize that these are artisanal products, made daily with high-quality raw materials, which puts them in a different league compared to mass-produced sweets.
For many families, the perfect formula is to combine both options: a striking figure from Stranger Things For the children's delight, and a more classic cake for when it's time to serve. In this way, the link with tradition is maintained without giving up current trends.
Creativity, science and chocolate in Barcelona
The Barcelona Pastry Guild has for years taken advantage of the Easter season to launch initiatives that go beyond simply displaying products in shop windows. One of the most notable is its collaboration with the University of Barcelona, in which, campaign after campaign, a chocolate character is created linked to a specific profession with the aim of Bringing science closer to the little ones.
In the most recent edition, that character, named Mia, takes on the role of astronomerTaking advantage of the media attention surrounding phenomena like solar eclipses, the Easter cakes that include them incorporate a QR code that links to a website with educational content, so the gift combines a festive element with a small dose of learning about the universe.
At the same time, the union has reinforced the leading role of the Easter eggs as a decorative element. Not only are white, black, or different-sized eggs used to accompany the figures and cakes, but a striking intervention has been promoted in one of the city's most emblematic spaces.
On Park GüellTen pastry chefs have designed and created Ten giant chocolate eggs inspired by the imagery of Antoni GaudíThese pieces, displayed in the Hypostyle Hall, are part of a triple anniversary: the Gaudí Year, the Capital of Architecture and the centenary of the opening of the park to the public, making the exhibition a meeting point between gastronomy, art and heritage.
The proposal includes a public vote to choose which egg will be preserved in the Chocolate Museum, while the rest will be allocated to a large Children's hot chocolate event with local schoolsIn this way, the Easter campaign transcends pastry shops and opens up to the city, with chocolate as the common thread.
With Stranger Things as the new star of the Easter cakes, the Easter tradition in Catalonia proves that it is capable of renewing itself year after year: shop windows are filled with monsters and heroes in chocolate formThe tables still reserve a place for traditional cakes, and the guild's initiatives bring this sweet universe closer to families as well as the cultural and educational sphere, keeping alive one of the most beloved gastronomic events on the calendar.
