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

Absolutely! Homemade sugar cookie dough works beautifully in this recipe. Just make sure it's a soft cookie dough recipe rather than a roll-out type. You'll need approximately 16.5 ounces to match the amount in a tube of store-bought dough.

My Peeps are sticking to the spatula when I try to swirl them. What am I doing wrong?

Don't forget to coat your spatula with nonstick spray before swirling! The marshmallow is naturally sticky, but the spray creates a barrier that allows for smooth swirling without a mess.

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of Peeps?

You can use regular marshmallows, but you'll miss out on the fun colors that Peeps provide. If using regular marshmallows, consider adding a few drops of food coloring to achieve a similar colorful effect.

My bars seem too soft. Did I underbake them?

The bars will be quite soft when they first come out of the oven but will firm up considerably as they cool and especially after refrigeration. If they're still too soft after refrigeration, you may have needed a few more minutes of baking time.

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 section of any grocery store); Non-stick spray for prepping the dish; 8 Peeps marshmallows (in various colors, adjust quantity as desired)

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars are what dessert dreams are made of! Imagine the classic, buttery goodness of sugar cookies transformed into soft, chewy bars with a colorful, gooey marshmallow swirl running through them. This recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for those times when you need a quick sweet treat that will absolutely wow everyone who tries it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Simple: With just two main ingredients, this might be the easiest dessert you’ll ever make. Perfect for when you want something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen!
Visually Stunning: The colorful swirls from the melted Peeps create a beautiful marble effect that makes these bars look like you spent way more time on them than you actually did.
Customizable: Change up the Peep colors based on the season or holiday – pink and yellow for spring, orange for Halloween, red and green for Christmas. The possibilities are endless!
Kid-Friendly: Little ones will adore both eating and helping to make these playful treats. It’s a fun way to use up extra Easter Peeps too!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sugar Cookie Dough: The star of the show that provides a buttery, sweet base. Using pre-made refrigerated dough makes this recipe incredibly quick and convenient.
Peeps: These colorful marshmallow treats create the magical swirls throughout the bars. They melt beautifully and add both color and a sweet marshmallow flavor that complements the cookie dough perfectly.

Note: The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. Just two ingredients create something truly special!

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

Want to customize these delightful bars? Here are some ideas:

Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Press mini chocolate chips into the bottom layer of cookie dough before adding the Peeps.
S’mores Style: Add a layer of crushed graham crackers between the bottom cookie layer and Peeps, then sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
Funfetti Version: Mix rainbow sprinkles into the cookie dough before pressing it into the pan.
Seasonal Switch-Up: Use different shaped or colored Peeps depending on the holiday (ghost Peeps for Halloween, Christmas trees for December).

How to Make Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your baking dish a generous coating of nonstick spray to ensure your bars won’t stick.

Step 2: Create the Cookie Base

Take half of your sugar cookie dough and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This will form the foundation of your bars.

Step 3: Add the Peeps

Arrange your colorful Peeps across the cookie dough base. You can create patterns or simply scatter them randomly for a more abstract look.

Step 4: Top with Remaining Dough

Break the remaining cookie dough into chunks and distribute them across the top of the Peeps. Don’t worry about covering everything completely—the gaps will allow the Peeps to peek through.

Step 5: Initial Bake

Bake for 8 minutes, just enough time for the Peeps to start melting.

Step 6: Create the Swirl

Remove the dish from the oven and, using a spatula coated with nonstick spray, gently swirl the melted Peeps. Be careful not to push down into the bottom layer of cookie dough.

Step 7: Final Bake

Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 12 minutes, or until the cookie dough turns a beautiful golden color.

Step 8: Cool and Set

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for about an hour to help them set properly.

Step 9: Cut and Serve

Using a butter knife coated with nonstick spray, cut the cooled dessert into squares and serve!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Dough: Let your cookie dough sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before using it. This makes it much easier to spread in the pan.
Clean Cuts: For picture-perfect bars, wipe your knife clean between cuts and re-spray with nonstick spray as needed.
Even Distribution: When placing the Peeps, distribute the colors evenly for the most vibrant final result.
Watch Carefully: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your bars during the final bake. You want them golden, not brown.

How to Serve

These colorful treats are versatile enough for any occasion:

For Parties:

Arrange on a platter with other spring-themed desserts for a festive display.

For Kids:

Serve with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for an extra special treat.

For Gift-Giving:

Stack a few bars in a clear cellophane bag tied with a bright ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

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

Freezing

You can freeze these bars for up to 3 months. Place in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Reheating

For a warm, gooey treat, microwave a refrigerated bar for about 10-15 seconds. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! Homemade sugar cookie dough works beautifully in this recipe. Just make sure it’s a soft cookie dough recipe rather than a roll-out type. You’ll need approximately 16.5 ounces to match the amount in a tube of store-bought dough.
My Peeps are sticking to the spatula when I try to swirl them. What am I doing wrong?

Don’t forget to coat your spatula with nonstick spray before swirling! The marshmallow is naturally sticky, but the spray creates a barrier that allows for smooth swirling without a mess.
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of Peeps?

You can use regular marshmallows, but you’ll miss out on the fun colors that Peeps provide. If using regular marshmallows, consider adding a few drops of food coloring to achieve a similar colorful effect.
My bars seem too soft. Did I underbake them?

The bars will be quite soft when they first come out of the oven but will firm up considerably as they cool and especially after refrigeration. If they’re still too soft after refrigeration, you may have needed a few more minutes of baking time.

Final Thoughts

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect balance of simplicity and wow factor. With minimal effort, you’ll create a treat that’s both visually impressive and deliciously satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert for unexpected guests or a fun baking project with kids, these colorful, marshmallowy bars are sure to bring smiles all around!