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
Kelli Davidson says
I love Peeps Beth! I make up little dioramas (not like the really fancy ones) to make my grandson laugh and every year when all the peeps stuff comes out I run to the store to get new knick-knacky things - I order my peeps directly from the company so I can try out new flavors (chocolate Peppermint are my fave) and get JUST the right colors for whatever I have planned - Mardi Gras cupcakes were this year's newest and tomorrow I'm trying yet another. When I went to the store this year, I was only able to get a couple knick-knacky things and I really hoped to buy the Giant Peep Pan, but I just couldn't swing it so I really hope to win this fabulous prize package!!!
Unknown says
I love peeps! They are delicious right from the package, but I still always sacrifice a few to the microwave... too much fun to watch them explode! Ypur giant peep might destroy amicrowave for real, lol.
wade family says
I love peeps! I made some homemade ones last year without a ,
Mold but not a giant one that's awesome! I love your creativity, keep it up.
K. Wms. says
I loved to eat Peeps as a child (either fresh or "rippened"). Every Easter my grandmother would add them to our pre-made Easter baskets. Yummy...I am going to buy some this weekend. I have not had them in a while.
Amy Ballou says
I've had an amazing time with peeps over the years, and I am amazed at all of the products they have come out with over the years. I would love to win this and make my mother-in-law a giant peep, I don't know what it is about that little marshmellow chick but she is CRAZZY for them.
LisaB says
I work at an elementary school, and our school nurse loves peeps. I enjoy getting them for her, and would love to make her some too. Happy Easter!!
Sharon DiAmore says
Peeps are my favorite!!! I make everything with Peeps on it -- from desserts, to crafts, and even pizza. I would absolutely love to make the giant Peep!
Renee says
My eldest son is not big on sweets, but he absolutely LOVES peeps. (In fact, the Easter bunny forgot to leave peeps in the baskets one year, so my son made sure we picked some up on our next trip to the grocery store.) Your giant peep is adorable. neeorama@gmail.com
Sandy H says
I use Peeps more for decorating than eating. It is just not Easter without Peeps.
Bunny (e-mail entry) says
The day I ground the sugar-free ones in the store, I thought I died and went to heaven. I love them! Bunny Dimmel Bunnydiet@aol.com
Anonymous says
Kids, nephew, brother in law and sister love peeps! The house is over run with marshmallows on Easter Sunday! : ) hi_its_just_me@hotmail.com
Danielle says
I have to be in a "peep" mood but my mil loves them so this would be awesome to win to make her a giant peep!
Lisa says
I LOVE peeps! I like to open them up and eat a few fresh ones, and then leave them out to have some stale ones too. I've never baked with them, but I love the ideas I've seen!
Dawn Monroe says
For me Peeps remind me of my grandfather. On Easter he would always bring us a beach bucket with candy and the yellow peeps were always on the top.
beth says
(Oops, I accidentally deleted your message. So, I'm putting it back. )
I love peeps! I am a true addict. I buy extras and freeze them. I had a pack in my purse the other day, and pulled them out in my first class, and said "Peeps, breakfast of Champions!" Then I had to tell my kids that I was just joking...even though I really wasn't .
Funny story! I've had my share of Peeps for breakfast too:)
Carla Shiver says
I don't have any experience baking with peeps yet.They are one of my favorite things to eat. I only like the original flavor peeps.
Alycia says
I love Peep s'more's, them fresh out of the bag or even stale. Marshmallo-y goodness!
Alycia says
I love making S'more peeps! Great fresh out of the bag or stale - yum, marshmallow-y goodness. 🙂
Sandra Botts says
I hide the peeps (in the house) on Easter morning & then my daughter runs around finding them. We LOVE Peeps!!!!
Pat K says
Glitteradi@aol.com
Whenever I see Peeps I think of my Mom, she would love to eat them stale!