posted March 25, 2010 02:23 PM         

> Spotted Dick Molded recipe

posted March 25, 2010 02:30 PM         

quote:

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Peeps are marshmallow candies, sold in the US 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, sugar, gelatin, and carnauba wax.

Peeps are produced by Just Born, a candy manufacturer based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Peeps were introduced nationally in 1958 by Pravin Pant Sr., a Nepali immigrant. When Just Born acquired Rodda Candy Company in 1953, they automated the process (originally the chicks were formed by hand) and mass-produced them. 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.

Just Born has expanded its product line to include bats, cats, pumpkins, and ghosts for Halloween; hearts for Valentine's Day; eggs for Easter; trees, gingerbread men, snowmen,"JOY", and stars for Christmas; and red, white, and blue chicks and stars for the 4th of July.

Although the original Peeps were standard marshmallow flavor, some of the newer flavors include chocolate mousse (bunnies for Easter, cats for Halloween, reindeer for Christmas), strawberry and vanilla (hearts for Valentine's Day), cocoa (cats and bats for Halloween), sugar cookie (gingerbread people for Christmas), and orange (eggs for Easter).

In 2009, Just Born expanded the Peeps product line further by introducing Peeps Lip Balm in four flavors: grape, strawberry, vanilla, and cotton candy. The first Peeps & Co. store opened in November 2009 in Prince George's County.

Peeps in cooking

While many people eat marshmallow Peeps straight out of the package, they can also be used in a variety of recipes. Peeps can be used as ingredients in such desserts as marshmallow crisp treats, fondue, and s’mores. Peeps are also put into mugs of hot cocoa; the chicks will float upright until the increasing warmth causes them to dissolve. Although they are made of marshmallow, it is difficult to toast Peeps over a campfire, as the sugar coating tends to burn and become unpalatable.

One way to eat Peeps is to "age" them by leaving an open package in a cupboard for weeks or months. This gives the Peeps a crisper density, similar to meringue cookies or the hard "ice cream" marshmallow topping on candy ice cream cones. Another is to eat them frozen.

Peeps can also be eaten out of the microwave. This is often done in conjunction with "Peep Jousting", a game in which two Peeps are placed in the microwave with toothpicks stuck in them. The Peeps expand in the microwave, the player whose Peep pierces the other Peep gets the honor of eating both hot and gooey Peeps.

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Peep History

posted March 25, 2010 06:49 PM         

Lexx, I like zucchinni (sp?) bread too, but I wasn't aware that was in the "Fruitcake catergory" of dislike. You can have any further fruitcakes I should come upon.

Another fun thing to do with Peeps, even if you have to do it inside due to weather, is have a peep hunt.
They are inexpensive, and well, let's face it, easier to just buy and open versus boiling and dying eggs.

Anyway, mark your peeps before you hide them. I've used colored toothpicks before. Or, you can use another candy, like a Skiddle or a jelly bean, and cram it into their smooshy body.
Make a chart, and show the kiddies.
Like, ok, a Peep with a blue toothpick is worth.....whatever
A yellow toothpick...better item, and so on.

posted March 25, 2010 08:17 PM         

cpn, dunno about your neck of the woods but our local grocery chain AND local safeways have small sections for the connoisseur of english working-class desserts-in-a-tin!! ambrosia creamed rice, syrup pudding, spotted dick and even clotted cream can be had for a song (or three - REALLY cheap in england but of course IMPORTED here and therefore not so low-class)...

syrup pudding is just a sweet sponge soaked AND swimming in treacle (golden syrup or light molasses) you put the tin (opened) in some boiling water and simmer for a few minutes, or steam if you prefer...don't get the water in the pudding!!

posted March 25, 2010 11:40 PM         

I'm with you, I got two packs of pale pink and fuschia heart peeps for valentines.

I ate them of course, but still....

posted April 01, 2010 05:40 PM         

take a peek:

posted April 01, 2010 06:01 PM         

The Book of Bunny Suicides