Peep Show

Last year, I saw recipes for homemade Peeps candy floating around everywhere. It seemed easy enough to tackle and I figured I'd make some to send into work with my husband in time for Easter. The preparation of these is pretty easy and once you've mastered piping them out into Peep shape, they come along in no time. While I don't think the Just Born company will be calling me for pointers any time soon, I think these taste better than their factory-made counterparts.

Marshmallow Peeps

recipe from Martha Stewart Living, found on Serious Eats

makes about 16 Peeps

Ingredients:

1 packet unflavored gelatin

1/3 C. cold water, for gelatin

1/4 C. cold water, for sugar

1 C. sugar

extra sugar for coating (optional- I used Wilton sugar crystals)

food coloring to color sugar (optional)

Directions:

Pour 1/3 C. cold water into the bowl of a stand mixer.

Sprinkle gelatin on top of the water and let sit for 5 minutes.

Pour 1/4 C. cold water into a medium saucepan.

Add sugar and stir over medium high heat until sugar dissolves.

Insert a candy thermometer into the sugar mixture and boil until it reaches "soft-ball" stage (238 degrees).

Remove from heat and pour sugar mixture into the gelatin mixture.

Stir by hand for a few minutes, then, using the whisk attachment for the stand mixer, beat on medium high for ten minutes.

Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or a plastic bag with a corner cut off.

Pipe the mixture into an oval shape for the body, then pipe on the head.

Sprinkle the colored sugar* onto the "Peeps." To make eyes on them, mix cocoa powder with water and dot them on with a toothpick.

*If you are making your own colored sugar, add gel or liquid food coloring to sugar and shake in a plastic bag or stir until it is mixed through.

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