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

Description

These Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful and colorful treat that is both fun to make and delicious to eat! Perfect for spring holidays or when you’re in the mood for a creative dessert, these cookie bars incorporate soft sugar cookie dough with gooey, melt-in-your-mouth Peeps. Quick to prepare and a joy to share with family and friends!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Cookie Bars:

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)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking dish by spraying it thoroughly with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
Prepare the base layer
Separate the sugar cookie dough in half. Take one half and press it evenly into the bottom of the baking dish to form the base layer.
Add Peeps
Lay Peeps in various colors on top of the cookie dough base. Arrange them evenly for a colorful and flavorful distribution.
Top with cookie dough chunks
Tear the remaining half of the sugar cookie dough into small chunks and scatter them over the Peeps. This will create a deliciously textured top layer.
Bake the first layer
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. While baking, prepare a spatula by spraying it with nonstick spray.
Mix the melted Peeps
Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Using the prepared spatula, gently swirl and mix the melted Peeps with the top layer. Be cautious not to press too hard or disturb the bottom “crust.”
Final bake
Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 12 minutes, or until the sugar cookie dough on top turns golden brown.
Cool and chill
Allow the dish to cool to room temperature. After cooling, transfer the dish to the refrigerator and let it chill for approximately 1 hour. This step makes the bars easier to cut.
Cut and serve
Once chilled, use a butter knife sprayed with nonstick spray to cut the cookie bars into square portions. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and kept fresh for up to 3 days.
For a festive touch, consider using themed Peeps for specific holidays or seasons.
If you’d like a slightly crispier bottom layer, bake the base cookie dough layer for an extra 2 minutes before adding the Peeps and the dough chunks for the top.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 210
Sugar: 17g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg