There is something so delicious and nostalgic about Marshmallow Peeps and they never fail to put a smile on my face every time I see them resurface at the grocery store each Spring. This recipe for homemade marshmallow peeps is so much fun and so much easier than you might think!

I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! If you love this recipe you might also enjoy my recipe for Copycat Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs or Easy Homemade Marshmallow Easter Eggs that taste just like the Russel Stover ones. Without further ado, let’s get right into this recipe!

A hand holding a yellow marshmallow chick covered in yellow sugar, detailed with a small black eye. More marshmallow chicks are blurred in the background, alongside pastel pink and blue ones.

How To Make Homemade Marshmallow Peeps

Prepare the Colored Sugar:
- In two separate bowls, mix 2 cups of granulated sugar with yellow food gel and another 2 cups with pink food gel. Use gloved hands or a spoon to evenly coat the sugar until you achieve a consistent color. Set aside. You can of course make whatever colored peeps you want, I just went with what I thought were the most classic colors! :)
Make the Marshmallow Base:
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir this mixture with a silicone spatula before placing over heat .
- Heat over medium-high heat until it starts to boil.
- Reduce heat to medium, cover with a lid, and let it steam for 2 minutes. Super important, don’t lift the lid during these two minutes :)
- Remove the lid and insert a thermometer. Cook until the mixture reaches 242°F – 245°F.
Prepare the Gelatin:
- While the sugar mixture heats, place gelatin and water in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Stir to combine and let it bloom for at least 10 minutes.
- Once the sugar mixture reaches the correct temperature, remove it from the heat.
- Slowly pour the hot syrup into the bloomed gelatin while mixing on medium-high speed.
- Whip on high speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture turns white and doubles in size. Add vanilla and salt while mixing.

Close-up of a piping bag applying white cream onto a sheet of yellow pasta dough. The background shows additional dots of cream on the dough. The scene suggests the preparation of a filled pasta dish.

A piping bag is applying dollops of white cream onto a layer of yellow dough or batter on a baking tray. The cream forms neat, consistent mounds on the surface.

Piping white meringue onto a yellow, cornmeal-coated tray using a pastry bag, forming dollop shapes.

Pipe the Peeps:
- Prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper and dusting them with powdered sugar (this helps prevent the marshmallow from sticking). Be generous with the powdered sugar!!
- Sprinkle the prepared colored sugar on the respective sheets (yellow on one, pink on the other).
- Transfer the marshmallow mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
- Pipe oval shapes in clusters to form the peep bodies, then add a round shape on top to create the head.
- Immediately coat the piped marshmallows with colored sugar.
- If the mixture becomes too firm, microwave it for 10-second intervals to loosen it up. I had to do this once while piping!! Don’t be nervous if this happens, it’s totally normal :)
Finishing Touches:
Let the marshmallow peeps set in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Dip a toothpick in black food gel and dot little eyes onto each peep.
Serve and enjoy ohhhhhh so much!!!

Bright yellow and pink marshmallow chicks with sugar coating are arranged closely together. One yellow chick is cut in half, showing its white marshmallow interior. Their eyes are made of black dots.

How to Store Homemade Marshmallow Peeps

To keep your marshmallow peeps fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you prefer a firmer texture, let them sit uncovered for a day or two. You can also refrigerate them for a slightly chewier bite. Just note, the fresher the better :)

Recipe Tips

Work quicker than not since the marshmallow mixture thickens as it cools but don’t panic if this happens!! Just pop the marshmallow mixture in a microwave safe bowl and in the microwave for 10 second intervals making sure to stir to heat it evenly. This will help loosen the mixture making it so much easier to pipe.
Coat the piped marshmallows with sugar immediately to ensure it sticks nicely.
Use a damp paper towel to clean any sticky residue off your piping bag. We’re making marshmallows, things are bound to get a little sticky! Embrace it :)

Close-up of a hand pulling apart two yellow marshmallow chicks, with sugary coating. More yellow chicks are scattered on the white surface around them, along with some pink ones in the foreground.

Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can make these homemade marshmallow peeps up to 3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container until ready to serve. If making them for a holiday, prepare them a day or two before to ensure they stay soft and fresh.