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

Description

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful and colorful treat that’s perfect for Easter or any festive occasion. The combination of soft sugar cookie dough and gooey, melted Peeps marshmallows creates a sweet and chewy dessert that’s both visually appealing and irresistibly delicious. These bars are quick and easy to prepare, making them a great option for last-minute baking.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Base:

16.5 oz tube of sugar cookie dough (found in the refrigerated section of any grocery store)
Non-stick spray for prepping the dish

For Topping:

8 Peeps marshmallows (in various colors, adjust quantity as desired)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a square baking dish by coating it with non-stick spray.
Prepare the Base
Separate the cookie dough into two halves. Press one half evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the base layer.
Layer the Peeps
Arrange the Peeps marshmallows in various colors on top of the cookie dough base. Distribute them evenly for a colorful look.
Add the Top Layer
Use the remaining half of the cookie dough, breaking it into chunks, and scatter it over the Peeps layer. These cookie dough chunks will create a unique texture after baking.
First Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. While baking, coat a spatula with non-stick spray to prepare for the next step.
Mix the Melted Peeps
Remove the dish from the oven and gently twirl and mix the melted Peeps using the prepared spatula. Be careful not to press down into the cookie dough base.
Final Bake
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes, or until the sugar cookie dough on top is golden brown and fully cooked.
Cool and Refrigerate
Let the dish cool completely. Once cooled, place the dish in the refrigerator for about an hour to firm up the bars.
Cut into Bars
Coat a butter knife with non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Carefully cut the cookie mixture into square bars, and enjoy!

Notes

Store leftover Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Experiment with different Peeps colors and shapes for seasonal or holiday variations.
For clean cuts, you can warm up the butter knife slightly before slicing the bars.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 220
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg