It is Not Halloween Without Peeps Candy

Many of you think of Peeps for Easter, but they also offer a wide variety of products for other holidays including Halloween.  I have been a fan of Peeps since I was little and the Easter Bunny would leave little yellow Peeps in my Easter basket.  And, as I have gotten older, I have continued to purchase and eat Peeps whenever I see them at the stores come holiday time.  So, when I found out that had Halloween candy available, I had to sample each one for myself.  Thanks to the people over at Peeps, who sent me a box full of Peeps to try out, I have satisfied my sweet tooth before Halloween night arrived. 

I have to say when I picked up the mail at the mailbox a couple weeks ago and saw a large white box with the Peeps logo on it, I thought I had died and gone and heaven.  Thankfully, my daughter was sleeping, so I could open up the box and secretly begin to snack on the tasty marshmallow treats inside before she woke up.  Just look at the sampling of Peeps products I was sent (Yes, I can't believe they offer such a wide variety of Peeps!)

Peeps Ghosts

Chocolate Mouse Flavored Peeps

Peeps Sugar Free Pumpkins

Peeps Pumpkins

Dark and Milk Chocolate Covered Pumpkins

Chocolate Dipped Orange Chicks

When my husband arrived home that night, he noticed the Peeps box, which was now half empty and asked me how much I had eaten.  I told him I had lost count after the first 4-5 packages, but that I was sampling them for a review post on my blog.  Then, I tried using my pregnancy cravings as another, but he wasn't buying either one.  I think my husband is one of the few people on this earth who don't like Peeps candy.  He says he doesn't like the squishy marshmallow feeling he gets when he bites into them.  I guess you have to have an acquired taste for them, like both my daughter and I have.  That means there is more Peeps for me when I buy them. :-)

After sampling each of the Peeps products sent to me, I have to say my favorite were the chocolate covered pumpkins, the Dark Choc. dipped chicks and the Milk Choc. dipped orange chicks.  As you can see, if was hard just choosing one favorite with so many Peeps options to choose from.

And, who knew you could use Peeps in recipes to create delicious meals?  Head on over to the Peeps website and check out their recipe section.  This past weekend I made the following soup and surprising, it was better than my regular sweet potato soup recipe I usual use.  And, when I told family that this soup contained Peeps, they couldn't believe it -- they thought I was joking until I showed them this quick and easy recipe.  So, if you are an adventurous cook, or like to create meals with your children, why not check out this or other recipes which incorporate Peeps into the dishes today.  These recipes would make great accompaniments to your upcoming Halloween party menu for sure!

PEEPS® Spooky Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients

PEEPS® You’ll Need:

(show the following pack shots)

PEEPS® Marshmallow Ghosts

1 pkg. PEEPS® Marshmallow Ghosts

6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth, if desired)

1 cup water

1 lime juiced, or about 2 tablespoons of lime juice

2 cups milk or cream, as needed

   

Directions

1. Place potatoes and ginger in large saucepan. Pour in chicken broth and water, and bring to a boil over high heat.

2. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until the potatoes have softened, about 30 minutes.

3. Puree potatoes and lime juice in a food processor, or with a hand blender until smooth.

4. Return soup to saucepan over medium heat and stir in milk or cream as needed.

5. Serve immediately or refrigerate until chilled, if desired. Top with a PEEPS® Marshmallow Ghost before serving.

Makes: 8 servings

Warning: Cooking elements used in this recipe should be handled with care. Parental supervision is advised.

And, for those who like to do arts and crafts with your children, the Peeps website has you covered.  They have a whole section of easy to make crafts that the whole family will enjoy, like this craft:

Spooky PEEPS® TREE

Materials

1 pkg. (8 ct.) PEEPS® Marshmallow Pumpkins

1 pkg. (9 ct.) PEEPS® Marshmallow Ghosts

1 pkg. (8 ct.) PEEPS® Chocolate Mousse Flavored  Marshmallow Cats

1 wrought-iron ornamental tree ?(an interesting tree branch may be substituted)

12 oz. milk or dark melting chocolate

1.75 oz. jar decorating sprinkles

1 drinking straw

1 pair of scissors

1 spool of ribbon

   

Directions

1. Melt chocolate according to manufacturer’s directions.

2. Transfer chocolate to bowl for dipping.

3. Let cool until comfortable to the touch and slightly thicker than when first melted. This helps the chocolate “cling” to the PEEPS® marshmallow shapes.

4. Dip one half of several PEEPS® marshmallow shapes into the chocolate. Add sprinkles if desired and set on a tray lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before placing on tree.

5. Using the drinking straw, punch a hole through the top of each PEEPS® marshmallow shape (about 1/4” from top).

6. Insert a length of ribbon through the hole of each PEEPS® marshmallow shape and tie it to one of the tree branches.

Makes:1 spooky PEEPS® tree

Warning: Melted chocolate is hot. Parental supervision is recommended.

In addition to Halloween recipes and crafts, the Peeps website breaks down their recipe and craft

I have already printed out some recipes and crafts that I will be making for Christmas, thanks to Peeps!

Let me warn you now before you head on over to the Peeps website. Be prepared to spend hours there exploring the Peeps World, creating your own Peeps and reading and learning about Peeps in general. The website is so addicting that I found myself going back and forth throughout the day just to play around in Peeps World! So, you are forewarned!

---BUY NOW---

If this post didn't make your mouth water, you need to see a doctor!  But, in the meantime, head on over to the Peeps website and place your order for any of the Peeps products you saw above, as well as other Just Born candies like Mike and Ikes, Hot Tamales, etc. through their online store.  There is also a store locator, which will help you find a local retailer who is selling the Peeps Halloween product line near you.  Don't go without your Peeps fix this Halloween, head on over to Peeps today or your local retailer and pick up a package (or two, three....)  I will not tell. :-)

Disclosure:  I was sent Peeps candy samples in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.