Yummy Peeps Rice Krispies Treats

If you ask me, Peeps Rice Krispies treats are what Easter dessert dreams are made of.

These springtime squares take the classic marshmallow treats we all grew up with and give them a festive twist using those famous sugar-coated marshmallow bunnies and chicks. The pastel colors make them extra fun for kids to help make (and eat!).

The Peeps melt down just like regular marshmallows, creating that same gooey mixture we love, but with a touch of sweetness that only Peeps can bring. A few colorful sprinkles on top make them party-ready in no time.

It’s a quick and easy treat that brings smiles to faces, perfect for Easter baskets or spring celebrations.

What Kind of Peeps Should I Use?

Regular marshmallow Peeps are your best bet for this recipe, and you’ll find them most easily around Easter time – though they’re now available for many other holidays too. The classic chick-shaped Peeps work perfectly here, but you can also use the bunny-shaped ones since they’re made from the same marshmallow material. While traditional Peeps come in yellow, pink, blue, and purple, don’t worry too much about getting these exact colors – any combination of Peep colors will work just fine for creating fun, colorful layers in your treats. Just make sure you’re using fresh, soft Peeps rather than stale ones, as fresh marshmallows will melt more smoothly and give you the best texture in your final treats.

Options for Substitutions

While this fun twist on classic Rice Krispies treats has some wiggle room for changes, here’s what you need to know about possible substitutions:

• Peeps marshmallows: If you can’t find Peeps (they’re usually seasonal), you can use regular marshmallows – about 4 cups total. Just add 2-3 drops of food coloring to each portion to get those pretty pastel colors.
• Crispy rice cereal: Any brand of crispy rice cereal works here – store brand, name brand, or even brown rice crispy cereal. Just avoid frosted varieties as they’ll make the treats too sweet.
• Salted butter: Unsalted butter works fine – just add a tiny pinch of salt. You can also use margarine, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
• Vanilla essence: This is optional – you can skip it or swap it with almond extract (use half the amount) for a different flavor note.
• Food coloring: This is totally optional since Peeps already bring color to the treats. If you’re using regular marshmallows instead of Peeps, gel food coloring works better than liquid for stronger colors.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making Peeps Rice Krispies treats is working too slowly with the marshmallow mixture – Peeps, like regular marshmallows, start to harden quickly once melted, so have all your ingredients measured and ready before you start melting.

A common mistake is pressing the mixture too firmly into the pan, which can result in dense, hard treats instead of the light and chewy texture we’re after – use just enough pressure to ensure the treats hold together.

If you’re creating multiple colored layers, work with one color at a time and let each layer set for about 1-2 minutes before adding the next, but don’t wait too long or the layers won’t stick together properly.

For the best texture and meltability, avoid using stale Peeps, and always melt them over low-medium heat while stirring constantly to prevent scorching – burnt marshmallow will give your treats an unpleasant bitter taste.

What to Serve With Peeps Rice Krispies Treats?

These fun and colorful treats are perfect for a party spread or dessert table! Since they’re pretty sweet on their own, I like to serve them alongside some less sugary options like fresh fruit – strawberries and green grapes look especially nice next to the bright colors of the treats. A cold glass of milk is always welcome with any kind of rice krispies treat, and it helps balance out the sweetness. For a party setup, try putting these treats on a platter with some chocolate-covered pretzels or plain popcorn to give guests options with different levels of sweetness.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These colorful Peeps Rice Krispies treats stay soft and chewy when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Place wax paper or parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll be perfect for snacking for up to 3 days!

Store Long-Term: Want to keep them around longer? Pop them in the fridge in a sealed container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. Just remember that the cooler temperature might make them a bit firmer, but they’ll soften up again at room temperature.

Make Ahead: These treats are great for making a day before a party or event. Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container once they’ve completely cooled. The next day, they’ll be ready to serve and just as tasty as when you first made them!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	75-90 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2000
• Protein: 18-22 g
• Fat: 72-84 g
• Carbohydrates: 240-260 g

Ingredients

• Four packs (3 ounces each) of peeps marshmallows (in assorted colors like blue, pink, yellow, and purple)
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, split in half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, split in half
• Food coloring matching the peep colors (optional for enhanced color)
• 6 cups crispy rice cereal

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Peeps

Lightly grease an 8×8 inch pan with cooking spray or butter to ensure easy removal of the treats later.

Carefully remove the black eyes from the Peeps so that no dark spots appear in your colorful treats.

Step 2: Melt the Peeps and Mix the First Color

Place one color of Peeps into a medium-sized microwave-safe mixing bowl.

Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter to the bowl.

Microwave the mixture for 45-60 seconds, or until the Peeps are melted.

Once melted, stir in a small amount of matching color food coloring and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.

Then, add 1 1/2 cups of Rice Krispies to the bowl and mix until the cereal is fully coated.

Step 3: Repeat with Remaining Peeps Colors

Repeat the melting and mixing process for each color of Peeps you are using.

Ensure each mixture is well combined before moving on to the next color.

This results in separate bowls of vibrant, colored Rice Krispie mixtures.

Step 4: Assemble the Treats

Once all Peeps and Rice Krispie mixtures are cool enough to handle, take small handfuls of each color and gently press them together.

Remember not to press too hard as you don’t want the colors to blend.

Add the mixed colors to the prepared pan evenly, continuing this process until all mixtures have been added to the pan.

Step 5: Form and Cool the Treats

Gently press down on the mixtures to create an even layer in the pan.

Allow the treats to rest and cool for at least 1 hour.

This cooling step is crucial for the treats to set properly.

Step 6: Cut and Serve

Once the treats have cooled and set, cut them into 16 squares, each about 2 inches in size.

Serve your colorful Peeps Rice Krispie treats and enjoy the delightful blend of colors and flavors!