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

Absolutely! If you have a favorite sugar cookie recipe, feel free to use it instead. Just make sure the dough is firm enough to press into the pan without being too sticky. You'll need about 16-18 ounces of dough total.

What size baking dish works best for this recipe?

An 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking dish works perfectly. If you only have a rectangular dish, you may need to adjust the baking time slightly and watch for golden edges to know when they're done.

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

Definitely! Regular marshmallows work great too, though you'll miss out on the vibrant colors. You can add food coloring to white marshmallows, or mix in 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles to the cookie dough for a colorful effect.

Why do my bars need to be refrigerated before cutting?

Refrigerating helps the melted marshmallow set properly and prevents it from being too sticky when cut. It also firms up the cookie bars, making them easier to slice cleanly without crumbling.

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 (use more or fewer, depending on your preference)

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars are what dessert dreams are made of! Imagine the buttery goodness of sugar cookie dough paired with the sweet, gooey magic of melted Peeps – all baked into a colorful, delightful treat that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for Easter, spring celebrations, or anytime you need a quick dessert that will make everyone smile!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Simple: With just two main ingredients, this might be the easiest dessert you’ll ever make. Perfect for when that sweet tooth strikes but you don’t have the energy for anything complicated!
Visually Stunning: The swirls of melted Peeps create a beautiful, colorful pattern that makes these bars as pretty as they are delicious. They’re guaranteed to be the star of any dessert table.
Kid-Friendly: Children will love helping place the Peeps and watching them transform in the oven. It’s a great way to get little ones involved in the kitchen with minimal mess.
Customizable: Change up the Peeps colors based on the season or your mood. Pink and yellow for spring, orange for Halloween, or red and green for Christmas!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sugar Cookie Dough: The foundation of our bars, providing that classic buttery, vanilla-rich flavor we all love. Using pre-made dough from the refrigerated section is the ultimate time-saver here.
Peeps Marshmallows: These colorful marshmallow treats add sweetness, fun colors, and that signature gooey texture when melted. Choose different colors to match your occasion or stick with classic yellow for a sunny look.
Non-stick Spray: Essential for ensuring your bars release cleanly from the pan and for helping with the mixing process without creating a sticky mess.

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

Holiday Themes

Switch up your Peeps colors based on upcoming holidays – orange for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, or red and pink for Valentine’s Day.

Add-Ins

Consider adding 1/2 cup chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts between your layers for extra texture and flavor.

Double Decker

For an even more indulgent treat, try adding a layer of chocolate cookie dough beneath the sugar cookie layer.

Frosting Finish

Once completely cooled, drizzle with white chocolate or spread a thin layer of vanilla frosting for added sweetness.

How to Make Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray your square baking dish generously with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal later.

Step 2: Create the Cookie Base

Divide your sugar cookie dough in half. Take one half and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form a solid base layer.

Step 3: Add the Peeps

Arrange your Peeps marshmallows across the cookie dough base. You can place them in neat rows or randomly – either way works beautifully!

Step 4: Top with Remaining Dough

Break the remaining half of cookie dough into chunks and scatter them across the top of the Peeps. Don’t worry about covering everything – the gaps will allow the Peeps to melt and create those gorgeous colorful swirls.

Step 5: Initial Baking

Bake for just 8 minutes to start the melting process of the Peeps and begin cooking the cookie dough.

Step 6: Create the Magic Swirl

Remove from the oven and quickly spray a spatula with non-stick spray. Gently swirl the melted Peeps to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to dig into the bottom layer of cookie dough – you’re just working with the top layer here.

Step 7: Complete Baking

Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes, or until the sugar cookie dough turns a beautiful golden color around the edges.

Step 8: Cool and Chill

Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for about an hour to set. This makes them much easier to cut cleanly.

Step 9: Slice and Serve

Spray a butter knife with non-stick spray and cut into squares. The chilling helps prevent sticking and gives you nice, clean-edged bars.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Dough: Let your cookie dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before using – it’ll be much easier to work with.
Even Base Layer: Use the bottom of a measuring cup sprayed with non-stick spray to press the first layer of dough evenly into the pan.
Strategic Peep Placement: For the most colorful effect, use a variety of Peep colors and space them evenly throughout the pan.
Clean Cuts: For professional-looking bars, clean your knife between cuts and re-spray with non-stick spray as needed.
Parchment Paper Option: For even easier removal, you can line your pan with parchment paper with overhanging edges instead of just using non-stick spray.

How to Serve

These vibrant cookie bars are fantastic on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to take them to the next level:

Dessert Platter

Serve alongside other spring treats like chocolate-dipped strawberries or pastel-colored macarons for a beautiful dessert spread.

Ice Cream Topping

Crumble a warm bar over vanilla ice cream for an amazing dessert that combines chewy, crunchy, and creamy textures.

Teatime Treat

Pair with hot tea or coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up that will satisfy your sweet tooth without being overwhelming.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The coolness of the fridge helps maintain their 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, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked experience, microwave a chilled bar for 10-15 seconds or a frozen bar for 20-30 seconds. This slightly warms the cookie while making the marshmallow swirl delightfully gooey again.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! If you have a favorite sugar cookie recipe, feel free to use it instead. Just make sure the dough is firm enough to press into the pan without being too sticky. You’ll need about 16-18 ounces of dough total.
What size baking dish works best for this recipe?

An 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking dish works perfectly. If you only have a rectangular dish, you may need to adjust the baking time slightly and watch for golden edges to know when they’re done.
Can I make these without Peeps if they’re not in season?

Definitely! Regular marshmallows work great too, though you’ll miss out on the vibrant colors. You can add food coloring to white marshmallows, or mix in 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles to the cookie dough for a colorful effect.
Why do my bars need to be refrigerated before cutting?

Refrigerating helps the melted marshmallow set properly and prevents it from being too sticky when cut. It also firms up the cookie bars, making them easier to slice cleanly without crumbling.

Final Thoughts

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars bring together simplicity and whimsy in the most delicious way! Whether you’re looking for a last-minute Easter treat, a colorful addition to your dessert table, or just a fun baking project to do with kids, these bars deliver every time. The contrast between the buttery cookie base and the sweet, colorful marshmallow swirls creates a treat that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds. Go ahead and give them a try – I promise they’ll bring smiles all around!