Peep Bars Recipe

Soft & Sweet: The Dreamy Peep Bars Recipe You’ll Adore

Craving a sweet, nostalgic treat that peep bars capture childhood memories with a delightful twist?

Marshmallow magic meets chocolate graham goodness in this simple dessert.

Soft, pillowy marshmallow layers melt between rich chocolate and graham cracker elements.

Sticky and sweet, these bars promise a quick escape into sugary bliss.

Kids and adults alike will adore the playful combination of textures and flavors.

Each bite brings a smile, reminding you of carefree moments and sugary indulgences.

Whip up this irresistible confection and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Why Peep Bars Bring Nostalgia to the Table

  • Whip Up Easter Delight: Peep Bars transform classic marshmallow treats into a festive, colorful dessert that captures the spirit of spring celebrations.
  • Conquer Effortless Baking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for novice bakers, ensuring a stress-free and delicious outcome.
  • Customize with Creativity: Easily swap out candies or add personal touches like different chocolate chips to make these bars uniquely yours, creating a fun baking experience.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Treat: These bars are ideal for family gatherings, Easter parties, or casual get-togethers, appealing to both kids and adults with their sweet, playful design.

Peep Bars Ingredients

Base Layer:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Classic cookie base for sweet bars.
  • Butter: Helps bind the crust together.
Milk Layer:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds rich, creamy sweetness.
Chocolate and Candy Toppings:
  • White Chocolate Chips, Pastel Candy Chocolates: Colorful and sweet chocolate elements.
  • Chopped Peeps: Marshmallow candies that add fun texture.
Finishing Toppings:
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Sprinkles: Final decorative and sweet touch.

Making Peep Bars at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line the dish with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal later.

Step 2: Create the Crunchy Base

Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and mix with melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer that will serve as the foundation for your delicious bars.

Step 3: Add the Creamy Layer

Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly across the graham cracker crust, ensuring it covers the entire surface in a smooth, consistent layer.

Step 4: Sprinkle the Fun Toppings

Scatter your colorful mix of toppings across the condensed milk layer:
  • White chocolate chips
  • Chopped Peeps marshmallow candies
  • Pastel candy chocolates

Distribute these ingredients generously to ensure each bite will be packed with flavor and texture.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a beautiful golden brown, indicating the bars are ready.

Step 6: Add Final Chocolate Touch

Once the bars have cooled completely, sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles on top for an extra layer of sweetness and decoration.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Carefully lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper edges. Cut into even squares and serve to eager friends and family.

Pro Tip: For extra gooey Peeps, slightly melt them before adding to the bars. Always let the bars cool completely before slicing to achieve clean, precise edges.

Peep Bar Tips That Capture Fun, Color, and Crunch

  • Melt Peeps Gently: Briefly microwave Peeps for 5-10 seconds to create a softer, more gooey texture that blends beautifully into the bar layers.
  • Cool Completely: Allow bars to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour to ensure clean, precise cuts and prevent crumbling.
  • Customize Chocolate Variations: Swap chocolate chips with dark chocolate or milk chocolate for different flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences.
  • Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper with slight overhang to easily lift and remove bars from the baking dish without breaking.
  • Store Smartly: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness and firmer texture.

Peep Bars: How to Keep Them Fresh

  • Store leftover Peep Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
  • Place bars in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Warm refrigerated bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a gooey texture. Alternatively, warm in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crisp edges.
  • Allow frozen or refrigerated bars to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften chocolate and enhance flavor.

Treat Pairings for Peep Bars

  • Pair Creamy Milk with Peep Bars: Cold whole milk balances the sweet, rich chocolate layers perfectly, creating a smooth and refreshing contrast to the sugary dessert.
  • Complement with Fresh Strawberries: Sliced fresh strawberries add a light, tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the chocolate and marshmallow, providing a fresh palate cleanser.
  • Match with Vanilla Latte: A warm vanilla latte brings out the graham cracker's nutty undertones while harmonizing with the sweet white and semi-sweet chocolate chips in the bars.
  • Enhance with Mint Tea: Chilled mint tea offers a cool, crisp note that refreshes the mouth after each decadent bite, helping to balance the intense sweetness of the Peep Bars.

Peep Bar Fun Twists

  • Gluten-Free Easter Bars: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Springtime Squares: Swap sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk, use dairy-free white chocolate chips, and replace Peeps with marshmallow-style vegan candies.
  • Low-Sugar Easter Treat: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with a sugar-free alternative, use sugar-free white chocolate chips, and choose sugar-free candy decorations.
  • Nut-Lover's Spring Bar: Add chopped almonds or pecans between layers for extra crunch and nutty flavor, perfect for those wanting additional texture.

FAQs

  • Are Peeps necessary for this recipe?

Definitely! Chopped Peeps add unique marshmallow flavor and fun pastel colors to the bars, making them a festive Easter or spring dessert.

  • Can I substitute graham crackers if I don't have them?

Yes, you can use digestive biscuits or crushed vanilla cookies as an alternative base. Just maintain the same butter-to-crumb ratio for a stable crust.

  • How do I prevent the bars from being too sweet?

Balance the sweetness by using semi-sweet chocolate chips and adding a pinch of sea salt on top. This will cut through the sugary intensity and enhance overall flavor.

  • What's the best way to cut these bars cleanly?

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then use a sharp knife wiped with a warm, clean cloth between each cut. This ensures smooth, neat edges without crumbling.

Print
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Peep Bars Recipe

Peep Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Creamy peep bars bring marshmallow magic straight from childhood memories to your dessert table. Rich layers of graham cracker crust and sweet marshmallow create a nostalgic treat that will delight you with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
  • 1 cup hot brewed coffee
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Sweeteners and Spices:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Nuts and Glaze Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons strong brewed espresso
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
  2. Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, creating a uniform mixture that will form the foundational crust.
  3. Firmly press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even and compact layer.
  4. Carefully drizzle sweetened condensed milk across the entire surface of the crust, ensuring an uniform distribution.
  5. Scatter white chocolate chips, chopped Peeps, and pastel candy chocolates over the condensed milk layer, spreading them evenly.
  6. Transfer the baking dish to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden brown edges as an indicator of doneness.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps set the layers and prevents crumbling.
  8. Once cooled, sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles across the top of the bars for additional texture and visual appeal.
  9. Using a sharp knife, slice the cooled dessert into individual bars, creating clean and precise cuts.
  10. Serve and enjoy these decadent Peep bars at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Soften Peeps gently in microwave for 5-10 seconds before sprinkling to create extra melty, gooey texture throughout the bars.
  • Use parchment paper overhang as handles to easily lift and remove entire dessert from baking pan for clean, precise cutting.
  • Experiment with different colored Peeps or mix candy varieties to create festive seasonal variations for Easter, spring, or children’s parties.
  • Chill bars in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes after cooling to help chocolate set firmly and make cutting into neat squares easier.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 305
  • Sugar: 23g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

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