Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Peeps

Last Easter, my kitchen counter looked like a pastel explosion. I had three packages of Peeps staring back at me, and somewhere between hiding them in plain sight and actually eating them plain, I decided they deserved a serious upgrade. The first batch was messy and the chocolate seized, but my nieces didn't care at all.

My sister-in-law walked in during round two, saw me standing over melting chocolate with rainbow sprinkles everywhere, and immediately rolled up her sleeves. We made a whole assembly line situation, dipping and decorating while catching up on everything. Those Peeps disappeared faster than anything else on the dessert table.

Ingredients

• Marshmallow Peeps: The classic chicks work best because they sit flat but bunnies are adorable too
• Semisweet or milk chocolate: Chocolate chips melt beautifully but chopped bars give you that professional smooth finish
• Coconut oil: This little trick makes the chocolate glossy and helps it set faster
• Sprinkles or crushed nuts: Have everything ready before you start dipping because chocolate waits for no one

Instructions

Prep your workspace:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour your decorations into small bowls. Trust me, you want everything within arms reach once that chocolate is melted.

Melt the chocolate:

Combine chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second bursts. Stir thoroughly between each interval until it's silky smooth.

Insert the sticks:

Gently push a lollipop stick into the base of each Peep, being careful not to go all the way through. This gives you perfect control for dipping.

Dip and swirl:

Hold each Peep by the stick and lower it into the melted chocolate, turning to coat completely. Let any excess drip off for a few seconds.

Add your toppings:

Immediately sprinkle with decorations while the chocolate is still wet. The sprinkles only stick when the chocolate's fresh, so work quickly.

Set and chill:

Place each finished Peep on your prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes. The chocolate should be firm to the touch when they're ready.

Save

Now I make these every spring, and they've become the thing people actually request. Something about taking that childhood candy and elevating it just makes everyone smile before they even take a bite.

Making Them Ahead

You can dip these up to two days before your event, though I've learned to wait on the sprinkles until closer to serving time. Humidity can make sprinkles weep colors onto the chocolate, which tastes fine but looks a bit like a pastel science experiment.

Flavor Variations

White chocolate Peeps with crushed candy cane pieces became my Christmas version last year. Dark chocolate with toasted coconut is sophisticated in a way that still makes people laugh because they're eating Peeps.

Serving Ideas

These work beautifully arranged in a glass jar or standing up in a mason jar filled with jelly beans. I've also tucked them into Easter baskets as the special treat that adults and kids fight over equally.

• Stand them in floral foam inside a cute container for instant party decor
• Wrap individually in clear bags tied with pastel ribbon for party favors
• Create a dipping station at your next gathering and let guests customize their own

Save

There's something wonderfully therapeutic about dipping these little marshmallow chicks into chocolate and watching them transform. They're silly and fancy all at once, which is pretty much my favorite combination in food.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of chocolate works best for coating?

Semisweet or milk chocolate chips melt smoothly and provide a balanced sweetness; white chocolate is a good alternative for a different flavor.

→ How can I ensure an even chocolate coating?

Use a stick or skewer inserted into each Peep to dip fully and coat evenly, allowing excess chocolate to drip off before decorating.

→ Can I add different toppings?

Yes, crushed nuts, assorted sprinkles, colored sugar, or even toasted coconut can be used to enhance texture and appearance.

→ How long should the coated Peeps refrigerate?

Refrigerate them for 20 to 30 minutes or until the chocolate is fully set and firm to the touch before serving.

→ What’s the best way to store these treats?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain freshness and texture.