Homemade Peeps

 

Homemade Peeps (Marshmallow Chicks)

Ingredients:

3 envelopes unflavored gelatin

1 cup cold water (divided)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp vanilla extract (or any flavor you like)

Colored sanding sugar (yellow, pink, blue, etc.)

Chocolate chips or melted chocolate (for eyes)

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Instructions:

1. Prepare a piping bag with a large round or star tip. Set aside. Sprinkle colored sugar on a baking sheet (this is where your Peeps will dry).

2. In a stand mixer bowl, add gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let sit to bloom.

3. In a saucepan, combine remaining 1/2 cup water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Heat over medium-high and stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook (without stirring) until it reaches 240°F (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.

4. Carefully pour hot syrup into the gelatin mixture while beating on low. Then increase to high speed and whip for 10–12 minutes until thick, white, and fluffy. Add vanilla extract in the last minute.

5. Quickly pipe the marshmallow into chick shapes on the sugar-coated pan (you’ll need to work fast—it sets quickly!). Sprinkle more colored sugar over the top.

6. Let Peeps sit out uncovered for a few hours to set.

7. Add eyes using melted chocolate or mini chocolate chips.

Tips:

If shaping chicks by hand feels tricky, you can pipe simple dollops or cut set marshmallow into bunny or chick shapes with greased cookie cutters.

Store in an airtight container up to 5 days.