Creative Uses for Peeps (the Very Best Candy of Them All)

Easter is on the horizon, which means it’s an eggs-cellent ideal time to stock up on Peeps (as if you needed a reason to do so). These vibrant marshmallow creations somehow manage to embody the best of all sugar-spun worlds, an irresistible blend of the gooey-ness of marshmallow, the rough texture of sugar, and neon-bright whimsy.

Although eating Peeps straight out of the box and at quantity is always an acceptable option, there are other ways to put these little dudes to good use.

Use them in s’mores 

Tke your s’mores to the next level by replacing your regular marshmallow with the bright colors and shapes of Peeps. To achieve the perfect melted gooey-ness, layer your graham cracker with chocolate and Peeps, then pop in under the broiler for a few minutes.

Use Peeps in your Rice Krispies treats 

You can use Peeps to add a little bit of color to your Rice Krispies treats, too. As the website Yellow Bliss Road recommends, you’ll first need to melt your Peeps with a little bit of butter, then add in the Rice Krispies. To create a rainbow effect, make batches of separate colors and layer them together in the pan.

(You can also say fuck it and use potato chips instead of Rice Krispies, for an over-the-top, brightly hued, salty-crunchy-sweet flavor.)

Make Peeps pops 

You can buy Peeps-on-a-stick, or you can put them on sticks yourself, then up the ante by coating them in melted chocolate and decorating them in any number of ways. Over at the website Sugar Swings! they’ve made Peeps pops into Star Wars characters, Dr. Seuss characters, Avengers characters, and a whole lot more.

Add them to hot chocolate 

A cup of hot chocolate isn’t the same without a pile of marshmallows on top, but for an extra splash of color, use Peeps. Given the number of color and flavor combinations that Peeps come in, this is something you can have a bit of fun with.

Use as a cake topping 

If you are celebrating a birthday and want to gussy up your cake (or cupcakes), Peeps are a fun, low-effort decoration, whether the cake is store-bought or baked at home. For some inspiration, check out the #peepcake hashtag on Instagram.

Explode them in the microwave 

Peeps can’t feel (as far as we know), but their tiny sugar eyes have an undeniably mournful quality, as if they are aware of their ultimate fates. Give in to your sadistic side by engaging in a little Peeps-ish torture by popping them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds and watching them puff up to double or triple their regular size, like your cat when it spooks itself and gets a puffy tail.

Use them in a diorama 

If you are in an arts-and-craft mood, you can construct a diorama using Peeps. Although the Washington Post has ended its annual Peeps diorama contest after 10 surreal years, other local newspapers and libraries have carried on the tradition. One option is The Open Notebook’s annual #PeepYourScience contest. Although entries for this year have closed, you can vote for your favorite here, and check out previous year’s winners here.