The Incredible, Edible Peeps!
Peeps are marshmallow candies, sold in the United States and Canada, that are shaped into chicks, bunnies, and other animals. There are also different shapes used for various holidays. Peeps are used primarily to fill Easter baskets, though recent ad campaigns tout the candy as “Peeps – Always in Season”. They are made from marshmallow, corn syrup, gelatin, and carnauba wax… just what a healthy body needs!
Peeps are produced by Just Born, a candy manufacturer founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania by Russian immigrant Sam Born. In 1953, Just Born acquired the Rodda Candy Company and its marshmallow chick line, then turned the tedious process of hand-forming the chicks to mass production. The yellow chicks were the original form of the candy — hence their name — but then the company introduced other colors and, eventually, the myriad shapes in which they are now produced.
The main website has several pages, such as Peep Art & Diorama Contests, Fun With Peeps, Cooking With Peeps, and much more. They take their Peeps seriously! Plus, there are prizes to be won, like the Marshmallow Mania Sweepstakes noted in the picture above. Deadline March 31, so hurry on over!
Peep Reasearch is a website not affiliated directly with Just Born, but loads of fun to visit.
“As we plunge into the 21st century, it is time we take a closer look at the technological wonders we create. Here, we try to discover just a little bit more about the world around us through the miracles of science, technology, and preservatives. We hope you enjoy this educational tour as we work to characterize everybody’s favorite Easter candy, the Marshmallow Peep…”
I share the video below each year because it never gets old! A simple search on YouTube for “Peeps” will yield a bunch of hysterical videos starring these adorable marshmallow treats.
That video is a hoot — I never liked peeps and now I know why!! LOL!
It’s only a couple of years since I first saw peeps in my Canadian city, and then only the original chicken shapes and only in a couple of stores. My children had no interest in eating them, not understanding the thrill or seeing them as part of their Easter tradition. That was the same year I discovered – through the magic of Facebook posts from US acquaintances of little Peeps scenes – that find there are other shapes, much less all the colours of rabbits. Maybe other parts of Canada have the Peeps tradition, but they still seem rare here in Edmonton.
Are there other shapes in addition to rabbits and chicks?
Brings back those childhood Easter memories. Peeps were a staple of my Easter basket.
mmmmmm…. Peeps……..