Peeps are a beloved Easter treat, but what if you could make one that's the star of the show? This giant, homemade marshmallow Peep is sure to amaze your guests and is surprisingly achievable!
Skip the Store, Make Your Own:
Forget store-bought candies, this recipe uses homemade marshmallows for a fresh and delicious twist. The key? A special 3-D Peeps pan (available online or at craft stores).
Simple Steps, Big Impact:
The process is easier than you might think. I'll guide you through greasing and prepping the pan, making two batches of fluffy homemade marshmallows, and assembling your giant Peep masterpiece.
Tips and Tricks:
The post includes helpful hints like using yellow sugar for a vibrant color and creating eyes with chocolate chips. Plus, we answer the age-old question: Does a giant Peep go stale? (Spoiler alert: It depends on your preference for a soft or crunchy texture!)
Ready to impress your friends and family? Make this Giant Homemade Marshmallow Peep the centerpiece of your Easter celebration!
Giant Homemade Marshmallow Peep
You'll Need:
3-D Peeps Cake pan
butter (to grease pan)
⅓ cup yellow sugar (stir yellow food coloring into white granulated sugar)
2 batches of my homemade marshmallow recipe (see recipe on my Starfish S'mores post too)*
yellow food coloring
wooden dowel
2 large dark chocolate chips
*Each batch of homemade marshmallows will require these ingredients:
1 cup water
3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
a pinch of salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
You will have extra marshmallow by making 2 whole batches. If you have a professional kitchen-aid with a 6 quart bowl, you can make 1 ½ recipes instead and should have enough to fill both sides of the pan. Otherwise, I suggest just making the two batches.
Instructions:
Grease the inside of each half of the 3-D Peeps pan really well with butter. Sprinkle yellow sugar all over the inside of the pan, making sure to get in all the grooves.
Make one batch of the homemade marshmallows, adding yellow coloring as the marshmallows are being whipped. Pour the yellow marshmallow into one half of the 3-D Peeps pan. Butter one hand really well and press down on the marshmallow making sure it's really well compacted in the pan.
You will have more than you need. Use any extra yellow sugar to coat the excess marshmallow.
Make another batch of yellow marshmallows and fill the other side of the 3-D Peeps Pan.
If the first pan of marshmallows is still sticky, just press the two sides of the pan together. If not, wet your fingers with water and rub the water all over the first marshmallow that you made. This will make the marshmallow sticky again. Then press the two sides together.
I set my pan inside a large bowl and snuggled a towel under the top of the pan to keep it level.
Allow the marshmallow to dry for at least 4 hours.
Set the Peeps pan upright and carefully peel the two sides off the marshmallow.
Trim off the excess marshmallow along the seam and sprinkle some yellow sugar over the seam and any bare spots.
Stick a wood dowel into the peep where the eyes should be, to create a small well. Stick the pointed end of a large chocolate chip into the well. It will just stick.
This marshmallow should stay fresh for a week sitting on Easter Grass in a basket. If you put it in an airtight container it will stay fresh for several weeks. Of course, I like stale Peeps, so letting it sit and get crusty isn't a bad thing. You can probably keep this for at least a month if you don't mind a more crunchy exterior.
More Sweet Easter Treats
from Hungry Happenings
Sugar Spoon Chicks - tiny sugar eggs on spoons
My Marshmallow Recipe can be found on this post:
If this Easter Recipe interests you, then you should go and check out all these other delicious ideas.
- Irresistible Sweets with Dixie Crystals® - July 13, 2024
- How to make peanut butter? - February 15, 2024
- OREO Penguins - December 20, 2023
Jenn says
That gigantic peep looks so tasty - I'd have to hide it, otherwise my daughter would try to eat the whole thing! LOL!
Cyndia Cobian says
I personally don't care for peeps but my kids love them!!! They can sit and eat the package in just seconds. They would totally love this giant peep. It would also look great for the table center on our Easter family party.
latanya t says
I am not a fan of peeps. I remember trying them as a child and I did not like them. I have not tried them since. Who knows I may like them now.
1froglegs says
I love Peeps, though there is a limit to how many I can eat in one sitting before I start to hate them. I actually thought Peeps were only sold at Easter until I saw them last Halloween.
Lovecraft says
When I was younger I used to love peeps, but then I went through a period where I just got sick of them, haha. Now though, I usually like to have a few every easter, but I've never tried them stale before. Might need to try that this year!
Thania Montero says
I love the bunny ones. Since I can remember I have always picked off the eyes and eaten them firat . its funny because my toddler does it to. I want to attempt peep smores
Christina says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE peeps and LOVE the giant peep you made! Peeps are a staple in our house during Easter. The kids don't really like them all that much, but think they are soooo cute that they eat them just because of that, lol. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome prize!
jenny says
Love peeps! We like to toast them for snores! The kids also love putting them in the microwave with a toothpick each and see who wins a duel!
jenny says
Love peeps! We like to toast them for snores! The kids also love putting them in the microwave with a toothpick each and see who wins a duel!
Taylor S (e-mail entry) says
I love Peeps because they remind me of Easter with my family. Every year, my family and I go to an Easter walk-through show, Easter Bunny Lane, in my city. We always purchase Peeps afterwards to get into the spirit. I just love all of the springtime colors and the fluffy, delicious marshmallow!
I would love to win this giveaway so I can try out a whole bunch of spring time treats!
Thank you!
-Taylor S.
CakePlease says
I love peeps! My dad loves them too, and when I was little my mom would buy small packages of peeps to hide around the house where my dad would find them because she knew they were his favorite.
Dotty R says
That giant peep is hilariously fabulous! Peeps were ALWAYS in my house at Easter time growing up. My mom loves them. The rest of the family didn't. But they were always there, so they're always in my house at Easter too. I may not eat them, but I love them. They're a classic.
Carmen N says
I love marshmallows but there's something about peeps that turns me off.
Dawn says
I love Peeps, and I would love to have a giant Peeps pan.
Kristen S. says
I love Peeps! My fondest Peep memory has to be when my Dad taught me the "proper" way to eat a Peep: eyes first, then the tail, head, and body. He always ate his Peeps like that and cringed any time we ate them differently. Now that he has passed, I find myself starting to eat my Peeps, just like he did.
Bryn says
I love peeps...but not in their intended form :). Frozen are awesome and melted in my coffee is Devine!
Jennifer says
I made a cake one year for Easter and I put Peeps all around. Everyone loved it, especially the kids. This would be awesome to have to make one for my church family and my own family. They'd love it!
Jessica Coleman says
You are amazing in all you do. This peep was the best tasting peep. Thank you for always creating new things.
Mocha Princess Aurora says
I love to use them for Rice Krispie treats or Fruity Pebble Treats 🙂 They add a new flavor and the sugar is great in the butter and cereal mix 🙂
Julie jujumakescakes@aol.com says
loved yoru article , I would have never thought of making a huge peep Way to Go ..I ma nto a huge fan but my Nephew loves loves them. It would be awesome to make the giant Marshmelow one as well as the cake!