Rice Krispies treats are a classic no-bake dessert—chewy, sweet, and irresistibly delicious. But have you ever thought about swapping out plain old marshmallows for Peeps?
Content creator Steph Gigliotti (@stephgigliotti28) shared a tip for using Peeps to make Rice Krispies treats more fun, festive and colorful and it’s a great way to celebrate Easter or any time you have extra Peeps on hand. Not only does it work perfectly, but it’s also an easy way to add a fun and colorful seasonal vibe to the easy dessert—and it’s a really great way to get kids involved in the kitchen. Here’s what you need to know.
Related: We Just Discovered a New, Better Way to Eat Rice Krispies Treats
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@stephgigliotti28 Peeps Rice Krispie Treats 30 peeps 5 cups Rice Krispies 4 tbsp butter, sliced into thin squares Preheat oven to 375°F Line the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan with the peeps. ( or use 9×9 for thicker treats) Pour the Rice Krispies over top. Lay the butter slices evenly over the cereal. Bake 4-5 minutes. Using a nonstick sprayed spatula mix everything together. Let cool completely and cut into squares. #peepsricekrispietreats #easter #ricekrispiestreats
♬ Cooking Time – TonsTone
Why Using Peeps in Rice Krispies Treats is a Genius Idea
Peeps are essentially just marshmallows but with a little extra flair. When melted, they act just like regular marshmallows, binding the cereal together while adding their signature sweetness. What makes this swap so brilliant, though, is the burst of color and flavor Peeps bring to the table. Because Peeps come in so many varieties, you can customize your Rice Krispies treats in ways you never could with plain marshmallows.
Another advantage of using Peeps is that they’re already pre-portioned, making it easy to measure how much you need. They also add a slight sugary crunch from their coating, giving the treats a fun texture boost. Plus, making these treats with Peeps is a great way to use up leftover Easter candy.
Related: The Secret Ingredient for Extra Chewy Rice Krispies Treats That Stay Soft for Days
How to Make Rice Krispies Treats with Peeps
To make Rice Krispies treats with Peeps (or should we say Rice Krispies Peeps?!?!), you’ll need Peeps (any color or flavor), butter and Rice Krispies cereal.
Instead of making the treat on the stovetop, Gigliotti likes to make her Rice Krispies treats in the oven to make them more hands-off and to save time on cleanup. You can use the standard method, or if you’d like to try Gigliotti’s way, preheat the oven to 300° and grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Arrange Peeps in a single layer in the baking dish. Cover them with the cereal and cut the butter into chunks. Place the butter evenly over the cereal. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the Peeps puff up and start to melt, then stir the mixture until the cereal is fully coated. Smooth the mixture out and press it down evenly with a spatula. Let it cool for about 30 minutes, then cut into squares.
Related: This Rice Krispies Treat Hack is Pure Summer Bliss
Peeps Flavor Variations to Try
One of the best things about using Peeps is the variety of flavors available. Each one adds a unique twist to your Rice Krispies treats, making them even more fun and delicious.
You can use the classic Peeps in various colors, or use Cotton Candy Peeps for a nostalgic, carnival-like sweetness. Party Cake Peeps would be perfect for birthday-themed treats with a hint of vanilla cake flavor, or you can try Sour Watermelon Peeps for a tangy and sweet combination. Blue Raspberry Peeps would be a fun twist for a bright and tart treat.
With all these different flavors, you can mix and match to create new combinations. Try layering different colors for a rainbow effect, or mix two complementary flavors for a surprising taste experience.
You can also add more pizzaz with your favorite toppings. Try drizzling the treats with melted chocolate, add some spring-themed sprinkles or top with some coarsely chopped Cadbury mini eggs. Dig around in your Easter basket for inspiration!
Related: I Tried 15 Different Peeps Flavors and the Winner Was a Wild Card
