S’mores are not the only option for those looking for a marshmallowy treat. Marshmallow Peeps offer those who love Easter and colored sugar a tasty treat. According to the official Peeps Web site, last Easter, Americans consumed more than 700 million Marshmallow Peeps and Bunnies.
But Peeps are not just for the Easter season. Available in several different holiday varieties, Peeps allow sweets lovers a unique candy confection.
According to www.marshmallowpeeps.com, the official Peeps’ Web site, Peeps were acquired when the Just Born candy company took over the Rodda Candy Company.
Peeps were then a three dimensional marshmallow baby chick made by hand-squeezing marshmallow through a pastry tube.
The chicks were originally available only in yellow, white and pink, with yellow being the most popular.
Now Peeps are available not only in those colors, as well as blue and lavender, but they now come in shapes such as Christmas trees, cocoa-flavored bats, creme-filled eggs and hearts, and Fourth-of-July stars.
Just Born spokesperson Milena DeLuca said that 4.2 million Peeps are made every day.
“Peeps are so successful because they’re very nostalgic,” DeLuca said. “People remember them in their baskets. They’re 50 years old. We’ve also put a lot of time and effort into our Peeps to develop new shapes, sizes, and flavors to make them appealing.”
The Peeps are made from a marshmallow mixture called “slurry,” which are later covered in colored sugar in a wind tunnel to ensure each bite is equally covered in sugar, according to the Web site.
However, some people do not enjoy the taste of marshmallow.
The way people eat their Peeps varies. Some say they are best enjoyed frozen, while others like to eat them in the microwave.
Some people enjoy making the marshmallow more gooey by heating them in the microwave. However, microwaving Peeps can be risky.
No matter the color or shape, Peeps offer those looking for marshmallow candy a year-round treat.