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Busted! 81 percent of parents steal Easter candy from their kids

This Easter, a chocolate bunny will make its way into thousands of children’s baskets. His ears will be the first thing to go, and there’s a good chance it will be a parent biting them off. The sweet treats of Easter are a tradition in many households, and apparently it’s not just the kids gobbling up the goods: 81 percent of parents admitted to stealing candy from their children, according

This Easter, a chocolate bunny will make its way into thousands of children’s baskets. His ears will be the first thing to go, and there’s a good chance it will be a parent biting them off. 

The sweet treats of Easter are a tradition in many households, and apparently it’s not just the kids gobbling up the goods: 81 percent of parents admitted to stealing candy from their children, according to a nationwide survey by the National Confectioners Association.

TODAY's Natalie Morales confessed she's one of those guilty parents who dip into the kids' stash.

Natalie eating candy
Today

The NCA projects that $2.26 billion will be spent this Easter season, about 4 percent more than 2013 because of an extra three weeks of ad time this year.

Easter candy stats
Today

The annual survey also found that:

  • 89 percent first eat the ears off of a chocolate Easter bunny; 6 percent eat the feet first, and 5 percent the tail.
  • 24 percent listed cherry as their favorite jelly bean flavor; 19 percent named strawberry; 15 percent said licorice, and 12 percent said lemon.
  • While on the subject of jelly beans: 69 percent said they eat them one at a time, while 31 percent eat several at once.

Also, for those of you who were wondering: 52 percent said the Easter Bunny came first, while 48 percent said it was the Easter egg. Debate that one among yourselves.