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This eye-catching Easter delight mixes the fun of Peeps marshmallows with soft, buttery sugar cookies. The playful color patterns make a standout dessert that's great for springtime parties and easy enough for anyone to whip up.
I made these bars at my niece's Easter bash last spring, and they've become my most requested treat since then. Everyone's face lights up when they see those bright, swirly colors.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated sugar cookie dough: this ready-to-use shortcut makes baking quick while giving you tasty results every time
- Peeps marshmallows: grab different colors to create the brightest swirl patterns
- Non-stick cooking spray: helps your bars come out clean and makes cutting them much easier
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Base:
- Push half the cookie dough flat into the bottom of a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. This makes a good base that'll hold up when the marshmallows melt.
- Add the Peeps:
- Place your bright Peeps across the cookie layer. Using lots of different colors will make the prettiest finished bars. Leave small gaps between them so they'll melt evenly.
- Top with Remaining Dough:
- Crumble the rest of the cookie dough over the Peeps. Don't try to cover everything completely – the spaces let the marshmallows bubble up through when baking.
- First Bake:
- Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes until the Peeps start to puff up and get soft. This first bake gets the marshmallows ready for swirling.
- Create the Swirl:
- Take the pan out and use a spatula sprayed with cooking spray to gently swirl the melted Peeps. Try to make pretty color patterns without messing up the bottom dough.
- Final Bake:
- Put it back in the oven for another 12 minutes until the edges turn golden. The middle might look a bit soft but will firm up as it cools.
- Chill and Cut:
- Let everything cool down completely then put in the fridge for about an hour. Cut into squares using a butter knife coated with cooking spray for the smoothest edges.
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Every time I bake these bars, I think about Easter egg hunts at my grandma's house. She always had Peeps in a candy dish during spring, and using them in these cookie bars brings those happy memories back to life.
Beyond Basic Bars
Get creative with these cookie bars. Try pushing small chocolate eggs into the top before the final baking time for extra crunch and flavor. The mix of chocolate with the sweet marshmallows and cookie base tastes amazing and makes this simple recipe even better.
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Storage Solutions
Keep any extras in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 5 days. The cold helps keep them chewy and stops the marshmallow from getting too sticky. If you want to save them longer, wrap each bar in plastic and put them in a freezer bag. They'll stay good for up to 3 months frozen.
Seasonal Variations
Though Peeps show up most at Easter, you can make this recipe all year with different colored marshmallows. Try orange and yellow Peeps for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, or pink and red for Valentine's Day. The steps stay the same, but you'll have a custom treat for any holiday.
Serving Suggestions
These bars taste great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert, or next to a hot cup of coffee or glass of milk as a snack. For Easter brunch, cut them into tiny squares and put them on a plate with fresh strawberries and chocolate dipped fruit.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough for this dessert?
Absolutely, you can use your own sugar cookie dough instead of buying it. Just make sure it's firm enough to spread in layers and press into your pan.
- → How can I prevent the Peeps from sticking?
Spray your spatula with cooking spray before you mix the melted Peeps to stop them from sticking all over.
- → What size baking dish should I use?
Go for an 8x8-inch square pan for these bars. It'll give you the perfect thickness when they're done.
- → How should I store leftover bars?
Put any leftover bars in a sealed container in your fridge to keep them tasting good longer.
- → Can I use less or more Peeps in the recipe?
You can totally change how many Peeps you add. More Peeps will make the bars extra sweet, while fewer will tone down the sweetness a bit.