Can I make these bars without Peeps if they're not in season?

Absolutely! Regular marshmallows work perfectly as a substitute. For that colorful effect, you can use mini marshmallows in different colors or add a few drops of food coloring to white marshmallows before placing them on the cookie base.

Why did my Peeps puff up too much and overflow during baking?

This can happen if your baking dish is too small or if you used too many Peeps. Make sure you're using an 8x8 or 9x9-inch dish, and stick to about 8 Peeps total. Also, keep an eye on them during the first baking phase – if they're puffing too much, you can prick them with a toothpick to release some air.

Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of store-bought?

Definitely! If you prefer homemade dough, use your favorite sugar cookie recipe. You'll need enough dough for approximately 24 regular-sized cookies to equal the amount in a store-bought tube.

Why are my cookie bars too soft even after cooling?

The marshmallow center keeps these bars somewhat soft by design, but if they're too gooey, they might need additional baking time. Every oven is different, so next time try adding 2-3 minutes to the final baking time. Also, make sure you're allowing them to cool completely and then chill in the refrigerator as directed.

Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Name: Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16.5 oz tube of sugar cookie dough (found in the refrigerated cookie area of any grocery store); 8 Peeps (more or less as desired)

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars transform ordinary sugar cookie dough into a magical, colorful treat that’s bound to bring smiles to everyone’s face! With a golden cookie base, gooey marshmallow middle, and crumbly cookie top, these bars combine simplicity with whimsy. Perfect for Easter gatherings, spring celebrations, or anytime you need a quick, fun dessert that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen (when you really only needed 30 minutes!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Simple: Uses store-bought cookie dough as the base, meaning minimal measuring and mixing!
Visually Stunning: The melted, swirled Peeps create a beautiful marbled effect that looks much more complicated than it actually is.
Crowd-Pleaser: Kids go wild for these, and adults love the nostalgic combination of sugar cookies and marshmallow treats.
Customizable: Change up the Peep colors to match any holiday or theme throughout the year.
Quick Prep: Just 10 minutes of hands-on time means you can whip these up even on busy weeknights.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sugar Cookie Dough: The refrigerated tube kind saves tremendous time and creates the perfect base and top for these bars. It provides that classic buttery, vanilla-forward flavor everyone loves.
Peeps Marshmallow Candy: These colorful marshmallow shapes are the stars of the show! They melt beautifully to create vibrant swirls throughout the bars. Choose colors that match your occasion or mix them all for a rainbow effect.
Non-stick Spray: Essential for preventing sticking and making cleanup a breeze. Don’t skip this or you’ll be chiseling cookie bars off your pan!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Color Themes

Holiday Variations: Use red and green Peeps for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or red and pink for Valentine’s Day.
Team Colors: Support your favorite sports team with their team colors.

Flavor Twists

Chocolate Lover’s Version: Use chocolate chip cookie dough instead of sugar cookie dough.
Strawberry Dream: Add a teaspoon of strawberry extract to complement pink Peeps.
S’mores Style: Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs between the layers and add chocolate chips on top.

Decorative Options

Sprinkle Party: Add colorful sprinkles to the top before baking for extra festivity.
Drizzled Delight: After cooling, drizzle with white chocolate or colored candy melts.

How to Make Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Area

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Thoroughly coat your square baking dish with non-stick spray, making sure to get the corners and sides well.

Step 2: Create the Base Layer

Divide your tube of sugar cookie dough in half. Take the first half and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, creating a flat, uniform layer. This will be the foundation of your bars.

Step 3: Add the Peeps Layer

Arrange your colorful Peeps across the cookie dough base. You can place them in a pattern or randomly – either way works beautifully since they’ll melt and swirl together later.

Step 4: Add the Top Layer

Break the remaining half of cookie dough into chunks and scatter them over the Peeps layer. Don’t worry about covering every spot – the gaps allow the colorful Peeps to bubble through.

Step 5: Initial Baking

Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. This starts melting the Peeps while partially cooking the cookie dough.

Step 6: Create the Swirl Effect

Remove the dish from the oven. Spray a spatula with non-stick spray and gently swirl the now-melted Peeps to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to dig into the bottom cookie layer – you’re just swirling the melted marshmallow with the top cookie pieces.

Step 7: Complete Baking

Return the dish to the oven and continue baking for about 12 more minutes, until the cookie portions turn golden brown and are fully baked.

Step 8: Cool and Set

Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for about an hour to help the bars set firmly, making them much easier to cut.

Step 9: Cut and Serve

Spray a butter knife with non-stick spray and cut the chilled cookie into square bars. Wipe and re-spray the knife between cuts for the cleanest results.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Cold Cookie Dough Handling: If the cookie dough is too sticky to work with, chill it for 10 minutes first.
Even Base Layer: Use the back of a measuring cup to press the bottom layer flat for even baking.
Perfect Swirling Technique: Don’t overmix when swirling the melted Peeps – just a few gentle strokes create the prettiest marble effect.
Clean Cutting: Refrigeration is key for clean cuts – don’t rush this step! A hot knife (run under hot water and dried) can also help with cutting through any sticky spots.
Prevent Over-browning: If the top is browning too quickly but the middle isn’t set, cover loosely with foil for the last few minutes of baking.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve with a cold glass of milk for the classic cookie experience.
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for an extra special dessert.
Pair with hot chocolate for a double marshmallow treat in winter months.

Presentation Ideas

Stack bars on a tiered serving plate for a colorful dessert table centerpiece.
Wrap individual bars in wax paper and tie with ribbon for cute take-home treats at parties.
Place on a large platter surrounding a bowl of fresh berries for a beautiful contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool temperature helps maintain the texture and prevents the marshmallow from becoming too sticky.

Freezing

These bars freeze surprisingly well! Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For a fresh-baked taste, microwave a refrigerated bar for 10-15 seconds to slightly warm it. Frozen bars should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before serving or gently warmed in the microwave.

FAQs

Can I make these bars without Peeps if they’re not in season?

Absolutely! Regular marshmallows work perfectly as a substitute. For that colorful effect, you can use mini marshmallows in different colors or add a few drops of food coloring to white marshmallows before placing them on the cookie base.
Why did my Peeps puff up too much and overflow during baking?

This can happen if your baking dish is too small or if you used too many Peeps. Make sure you’re using an 8×8 or 9×9-inch dish, and stick to about 8 Peeps total. Also, keep an eye on them during the first baking phase – if they’re puffing too much, you can prick them with a toothpick to release some air.
Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of store-bought?

Definitely! If you prefer homemade dough, use your favorite sugar cookie recipe. You’ll need enough dough for approximately 24 regular-sized cookies to equal the amount in a store-bought tube.
Why are my cookie bars too soft even after cooling?

The marshmallow center keeps these bars somewhat soft by design, but if they’re too gooey, they might need additional baking time. Every oven is different, so next time try adding 2-3 minutes to the final baking time. Also, make sure you’re allowing them to cool completely and then chill in the refrigerator as directed.

Final Thoughts

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect combination of easy preparation and impressive results. With their colorful swirls and perfect texture balance between chewy and soft, they’ve become my go-to for last-minute gatherings or whenever I need to brighten someone’s day with a special treat. Don’t let their simplicity fool you – sometimes the easiest recipes create the most unforgettable moments around the table!