Spiked Easter Peeps Desserts Recipe

So these aren’t exactly kid friendly, but if you’re feeling nostalgic and Easter festive, this spiked peep fun dessert recipe is the perfect thing to have on hand.

photo of the easter desserts peeps by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

We put a boozy twist to a classic Easter candy with this spiked Easter Peeps recipe!

I, Colleen love making boozy marshmallows. During the winter, they’re great in hot chocolate.

And in the summer, there’s nothing like roasting them over campfires (because a coating of sugar makes for a caramelized shell-like WHOA).

But I’m especially excited to share them in a springtime application: Peeps!

First, a confession: I have a serious sweet tooth. I never end a meal without dessert. So although I like to keep my cocktails fairly dry, I’m constantly trying to sneak some liquor into cakes, candies, jellos, and milkshakes.

When you make a boozy dessert, a lot of times, the alcohol is meant to cook off.

But when you’re working with gelatin (as in when you make marshmallows), you get to keep the flavor AND the buzz factor.

With all of the fun molds out there these days, I’m constantly tempted to make edible cocktails in an ever-growing list of shapes!

When I saw an adorable Easter mold in my local grocery, I knew I had to go for it. (You can also get one online or in craft stores, too).

So if you’ve got a sweet tooth and want to indulge in some delicious Easter nostalgia while retaining your grown-up card, you really need to try these boozy Peeps!

photo of pink easter desserts recipe by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

What Are Peeps?

Peeps are marshmallow bunnies. Along with the chocolate Easter bunny, Peeps are probably one of the most popular candies found in Easter baskets.

They are produced and trademarked by a family-own candy manufacturer, Just Born.

And they’ve now recently taken the form of many other animals, such as chicks and many other colors, to be marketed for other holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.

photo of how to make homemade marshmallow Peeps for Easter by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Ingredients You’ll Need for Making Spiked Easter Peeps

Knox gelatin packs – You can use any other gelatin packs. Unflavored is ideal.

Liqueur of choice – I prefer Pimm’s No. 1.

Granulated sugar

Light corn syrup

Cold water

Kosher salt

Cooking spray 

Colored sanding sugars – Choose any color sugar you wish your marshmallow peeps to turn out. If you want a matte look, use powdered sugar. You can also make your easily make your own colored sugar with food dye.

Optional: Brown decorating gel or melted chocolate

Equipment Needed to Make Spiked Easter Peeps

12-count Easter bunny-shaped silicone mold – You should be able to find one at your local grocery and craft store around the Easter season, or you can always purchase one online.

Candy thermometer – Check if your current food thermometer is adaptable for candy since most now have multiple uses for food, baked goods, candy, and grilling.

Stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment – Unless you are a super person who can whisk at high speed for 12 minutes!

Rubber spatula

Butter knife

Saucepan

Optional: Piping bag with a tiny tip – Needed if you want to decorate your Peeps.

close up of the finished green easter desserts Easter Peeps by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Clothf

What Liquor to Use When Making Boozy Easter Candy

I used Pimm’s No. 1 as my liqueur of choice for this recipe. Pimm’s is gin based. I love its lightly fruity herbal flavor, which is ideal in a dessert.

I’ve made these Spiked Peeps with St. Germain, Branca Menta, Campari, and Cointreau and loved every single version.

You can also forgo the liqueur to make this kid-friendly.

photo of the homemade spiked easter peeps by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

How To Make Spiked Easter Peeps

Step 1 — Spray your silicone mold, rubber spatula, and butter knife lightly with cooking spray. It’s going to get sticky!

Step 2 — Pour the liqueur into your stand mixer’s bowl and sprinkle in the gelatin. Allow to sit and expand for at least 10 minutes.

Step 3 — While your gelatin softens, clip a candy thermometer to a small heavy-bottomed saucepan and add the sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt.

Heat over medium-high, constantly stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil.

Stop stirring. Skim off any foam, and allow the mixture to continue boiling until the thermometer reads 240 degrees Fahrenheit.

Occasionally, brush the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush.

Step 4 — As soon as the mixture hits 240F degrees, turn your mixer on low speed and very carefully pour the hot syrup down the side of the bowl in a slow and steady stream.

Increase the speed to high and continue to beat for 12 minutes.

As quickly as possible, pour your warm marshmallow goo into the Peeps molds using the oiled spatula to help guide you.

You can also use a pastry bag to do this, but I tried it both ways and preferred to pour directly. Let stand at room temperature for at least three hours or overnight.

Step 5 — Gently remove the peeps with an oiled butter knife. This is possibly the most annoying part, but be patient. If you rush them out, they will lose their shape!

Step 6 —  Immediately roll the spiked peeps in colored sanding sugar. 

Step 7 — To make faces, use either brown decorating gel or melted chocolate in a piping bag with a tiny tip.

I figured the marshmallows were enough mess for my kitchen to handle, so I went the easy route with gel.

photo of the green spiked bunny peeps and chicks by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

How To Store Your Homemade Marshmallow Peeps

If you have any leftover marshmallows that won’t fit in your molds, store them in a parchment paper-lined loaf pan.

For your finished bunnies, store them on parchment paper in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid stacking them so that they retain their shape. 

When storing them in the fridge,  add some powdered sugar and cornstarch at the bottom of the container. This mixture will keep moisture away. 

fun easter treat with these cute bunny peeps - sugar and cloth

More Easter Sweet Treats

How cute would these little guys be as part of an epic Easter brunch tablescape? A Peep at each table setting on a tiny plate as an Easter treat! How would you style them? 

And here are more of our favorite Easter ideas —

photo of the recipe card on how to make homemade spiked Easter peeps by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Spiked peeps marshmallows recipe - sugar and cloth

Spiked Peeps Recipe

Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes
You'll definitely impress guests are your Easter family outing with this spiked peeps recipe!
Cook Time1 hour
Overnight Rest Time3 hours
Total Time4 hours
Course Desserts
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Candy thermometer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Butter knife
  • Sauce

Ingredients

Nutrition

Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 52mg | Sugar: 52g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 229kcal

Notes

  • Store on parchment paper in a single layer in an airtight container. 
  • Peeps® are a registered trademark of Just Born, Inc.

Instructions

  • Spray your mold, spatula and butter knife lightly with cooking spray.
  • Pour the liqueur into your stand mixer’s bowl and sprinkle in the gelatin. Allow to sit and expand for at least 10 minutes.
  • While your gelatin softens, clip a candy thermometer to the saucepan and add the sugar, corn syrup, water and salt.
  • Heat over medium high, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
  • Stop stirring and skim off any foam.
  • Allow the mixture to continue boiling until the thermometer reads 240F. Occasionally, brush the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush.
  • As soon as the mixture hits 240F degrees, turn your mixer on low speed and very carefully pour the hot syrup down the side of the bowl in a slow and steady stream.
  • Increase the speed to high and continue to beat for 12 minutes.
  • As quickly as possible, pour your warm marshmallow goo into the molds using the oiled spatula to help guide you. You can also use a pastry bag to do this, but I tried it both ways and preferred to pour directly.
  • Let stand at room temperature for at least three hours or overnight.
  • Gently remove the Peeps with an oiled butter knife. Be patient. If you rush them out, they will loose their shape!
  • Immediately roll the spiked Peeps in colored sanding sugar (or powdered sugar for a more matte look).
  • To make faces, use either brown decorating gel or melted chocolate in a piping bag with a tiny tip.
KEYWORD: spiked peeps recipe

Don’t forget to share your spiked Easter Peeps with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! And if you’re looking for more quick and delicious recipes you can find them all right here with a few bites to go along with them!

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

5 from 8 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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15 Comments

  1. If you can’t find a mold, I’ve also made these by spreading the marshmallow out on a parchment lined sheet ( like is written in the last recipe step), waiting for it to cool, then using greased cookie cutters to cut the shapes out and roll them in sugar. It worked just as well for me! I used oil spray to spritz my cutter between each marshmallow.

    1. Hi Sarah! This is such a wonderful idea and alternative for someone who can’t find a mold or who doesn’t want to buy a mold! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Greased cookie cutters are a wonderful substitute!

  2. what is the weight equivalent for the gelaTin? We dont have that brand here so i have no idea how much gelatin you used.
    ThaNk you!