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Home › Recipes › Peeps Cookies Recipe

Peeps Cookies Recipe

Cookies Desserts Recipes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
By Janine Waite · Published on Feb 24, 2025
Affiliate Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links.

Enjoy these perfect treats for Easter or any springtime gathering with my Peeps Cookies Recipe. Add vibrant icing and matching sugar, and for an extra touch of charm, consider adding a mini marshmallow for the tail. You can easily find the adorable peeps cookie cutter at Walmart and Amazon, making baking these sweet bunny cookies fun and easy!

close up of peeps cookies on a white cakestand

I came across these delightful cookie cutters and couldn’t resist making these adorable peeps cookies! I adore the soft pastel colors and the perfectly matching sugar sprinkles. They are both delicious and charming! Consider making them for your family or sharing them as thoughtful gifts with friends.

If you like making sugar cookies, you’ll want to make these this spring. The fresh colors and the cute shape make a great cookie project.

I love how a bit of icing and some matching sprinkles can totally jazz up this sweet little treat!

bunny cookies lined up on a baking tray with parchment paper
close up of peeps cookies on a white cakestand

I recently worked on a project for Walmart, where I had to create something for Spring or Easter. While browsing their website, I stumbled upon these super cute Peeps cookie cutters and knew I had to bake some Easter cookies with these Walmart cookie cutters. It was a fun project.

I love how these Easter cookies have a fun twist on the classic peeps.

Here’s the link to a few of the peeps’ cookie cutters! Walmart Peeps Cutter, Amazon Cookie Cutter.

Alright, it’s time to kick off this Peeps cookie party!

LET’S TALK ABOUT ICING

I didn’t attempt icing sugar cookies for years since they intimidated me.

Finally, I took the plunge.

I learned a few things about making pretty iced sugar cookies. First, a good icing recipe is key, and second, the right cake decorating tools. I finally broke down and invested in some good pastry bags and tips.

Let’s chat about how to frost your peeps sugar cookies.

You’ll want a consistency similar to marshmallow fluff in icing. If you aren’t familiar with fluff, then look for a frosting that is a bit on the runny side. If you watch my icing video, you’ll see the consistency.

Here is another easy tip: The 10-Second Rule. To check the consistency, drag the tip of a knife through the surface of the icing, letting the knife go approximately an inch deep, and slowly count to 10. If the surface of the icing smoothes over in approximately 10 seconds, then your icing is the correct consistency and is now ready to use.

Cookie Dough Ingredients

  • Butter: The butter adds richness and a soft texture to the cookies, ensuring they turn out perfectly tender.
  • Sugar: Sugar provides sweetness and helps to caramelize the edges of the cookies for a delicious golden-brown finish.
  • Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, helping to hold the cookie dough together and giving it structure.
  • Flour: Flour is the leading dry ingredient that gives the cookies their structure and helps them hold their shape while baking.
  • Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies, adding a subtle yet delicious aroma and taste.
  • Salt: Salt balances out the sweetness of the other ingredients and enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies, making them more flavorful.

Icing Ingredients

  • Warm water: Warm water dissolves the meringue powder and creates a smooth consistency for the icing.
  • Meringue powder: Meringue powder acts as a stabilizer and helps the icing to set and hold its shape once applied to the cookies.
  • Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar is the main ingredient in the icing, providing sweetness and creating a thick, smooth texture that coats the cookies perfectly.
  • Colored sprinkles: Colored sprinkles add a fun and decorative touch to the cookies, providing a burst of color and a delightful crunch with every bite.

How to Make Easter Peep Cookies

Making Sugar Cookies

Step 1 – Make Dough

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This takes about one minute at low speed. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.

Mix flour and salt in a separate bowl.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter with your mixer on the lowest speed. Mix for 30 seconds until the dough is thoroughly incorporated.

Walmart peeps cookie cutter in my hand
walmart peeps cookie cutter

Step 2 – Roll Out Dough

Divide the dough into two parts. Place each between two pieces of parchment paper. Roll out each set of dough. I rolled mine out to a 6 mm thickness, but it is whatever thickness you prefer.

Transport each cookie dough to a cookie sheet. Refrigerate the cookie dough for 1 hour.

Place cut-out cookies back in the fridge for about 10 minutes. Reroll extra dough and place cut-out cookies back in the fridge for 10 minutes.

Step 3 – Bake Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°.

Remove chilled cookies from the fridge and bake for 8-10 minutes.

With the extra dough, reroll and chill for 10 minutes. The colder the cookies, the better they keep their shape when baking. I hope this makes sense.

Decorating Peeps Cookies

Step 1 – Make Icing

icing for peeps cookies
Icing in pastry bags with colored icing


Step 2 – Fill The Pastry Bag

Carefully fill your pastry bag with the icing. Once you’re ready to pipe, cut a small hole on the tip. The smaller your opening, the easier it is to control. But if it’s too tiny, you’ll have difficulty squeezing out the frosting. I think I cut about 1/4 inch or less at the tip.

outlining and piping bunny cookies with icing


Step 3 – Start Piping

Outline your cookie with a single line of icing.


Step 4 – Flood the Icing

Fill in lines of icing by going back and forth with your icing. Don’t worry if you have a few empty spots. Hold your cookie on the sides and jiggle it back and forth. This will spread the icing and create a smooth surface. I did shake one of my cookies too much, and it seeped out of the outline. So, I took my finger and cleaned up the outline. 

sprinkling orange sugar on the sugar cookie

Step 5 – Sprinkle with Sugar (Optional)

I always love a little sparkly and sugary crunch on my sugar cookies. Once you pipe the cookie, make sure to add the sugar immediately. Once the icing hardens, it’s challenging to add the sprinkles.

close up of pink bunny cookies
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Sugar Cookie

This is the best recipe for cut out sugar cookies. They won't spread and they keep their shapes.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time8 minutes mins
refrigerate1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 18 minutes mins
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cookie, Cookie recipe, Sugar Cookie
Servings: 30 medium size cookies
Calories: 165kcal
Author: Janine Waite

Ingredients

  • 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs large
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This takes about one minute on low speed.
  • Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
  • Mix flour and salt in a separate bowl.
  • With your mixer on the lowest speed, slowly add flour mixture to the butter. Mix for 30 seconds until the dough is thoroughly incorporated.
  • Divide dough into two parts. Place each between two pieces of parchment paper.
  • Roll out each set of dough. I rolled mine out to a 6 mm thickness, but it is whatever thickness you prefer.
  • Transport each cookie dough to a cookie sheet.
  • Refrigerate the cookie doughs for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • Take chilled cookie dough and cut out cookie shapes and place the cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
  • Place cut out cookies back in the fridge for about 10 minutes.
  • Reroll extra dough and place cut out cookies back in the fridge for 10 minutes.
  • Remove chilled cookies from fridge and bake for 8-10 minutes.
  • With the extra dough reroll and chill for 10 minutes. The colder the cookies the better they keep their shape when baking. I hope this makes sense.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookies | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 394IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!
outlining and piping bunny cookies with icing
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Royal Icing

This is a wonderful icing will make your sugar cookies perfect when decorating them.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cookie recipe, cookies, frosting, icing recipe, royal icing recipe, sugar cookie recipe, sugar cookies
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 62kcal
Author: Janine Waite

Ingredients

  • 3 – 5 oz warm water
  • 2½ tbsp meringue powder
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Using your mixer bowl add warm water and meringue together.
  • Whisk by hand until frothy.
  • Place the mixing bowl on the mixer. Now add the powdered sugar all at once.
  • Attach the paddle to the mixer and mix the icing on the lowest speed for 10 minutes.
  • You are looking for a slightly runny frosting. If it is too thick, add small amounts of water to get the right consistency. Make sure to do the 10 – second icing test.
  • Place icing in bowls and add desired colors.
  • Cover extra icing with plastic wrap. I place the plastic straight onto the icing preventing air from drying it out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 16g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

Your Peeps sugar cookie recipe is bound to be a hit! Here are five reasons why people will love it:

  1. Adorable Easter Aesthetic – The cookies are shaped like classic Peeps and decorated with pastel icing and sprinkles, making them the perfect festive treat for spring celebrations.
  2. Soft and Sweet Sugar Cookie Base – The buttery sugar cookie is soft yet sturdy, providing the perfect texture for both decorating and enjoying with every bite.
  3. Fun and Customizable Decorating – With a variety of spring-colored icing and sprinkles, these cookies can be customized to match any Easter theme or personal preference.
  4. Kid-Friendly and Engaging – Kids will love helping to decorate these cookies, making them a fun and interactive baking activity for families.
  5. Perfect for Gifting and Parties – These cute and colorful cookies make a delightful addition to Easter baskets, dessert tables, or as homemade gifts for friends and family.

How to Make the Best Peep Cookies

How to Make the Best Peeps Sugar Cookies

  • Use a No-Spread Sugar Cookie Dough – Choose a sugar cookie recipe that holds its shape well while baking to ensure your Peeps cookies come out with crisp, defined edges.
  • Chill the Dough Before Cutting – Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out to prevent spreading and make it easier to work with.
  • Roll to the Right Thickness – Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thick to keep the cookies sturdy yet soft when baked.
  • Use a Peeps-Shaped Cookie Cutter – A bunny or chick-shaped cutter helps create the iconic Peeps look, making decorating even more fun.
  • Bake Until Lightly Golden – Keep an eye on the cookies and remove them from the oven when the edges are just barely golden to ensure a soft texture.
  • Use Royal Icing for a Smooth Finish – A slightly thick royal icing is perfect for outlining and flooding the cookies, giving them a clean, professional look.
  • Apply Sprinkles While Icing is Wet – To mimic the classic sugar-coated Peeps appearance, generously add sprinkles immediately after icing so they stick evenly.
  • Let the Icing Fully Set – Allow the cookies to dry for several hours before handling or packaging to ensure the icing stays intact.
  • Add Eye and Nose Details – Use black icing, melted chocolate, or food coloring pens to create the signature Peeps eyes and nose.
  • Store Properly for Freshness – Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their soft texture for several days.

Here are some other Spring Desserts!

Here are three related blog posts that you will love:

  • Easter Bunny Cake – A delightful and festive cake shaped like an Easter bunny, perfect for adding a whimsical touch to your holiday dessert table.
  • How to Make a Homemade Chocolate Bunny – A step-by-step guide to creating your own chocolate bunny at home, a fun and delicious alternative to store-bought Easter chocolates.
  • Easter Chocolate Bark – A quick and easy Easter treat made with layers of chocolate, colorful sprinkles, and fun mix-ins like candy eggs and marshmallows.

These posts will complement your peeps sugar cookie recipe beautifully, giving you more inspiration for festive Easter treats!

  • Easter Bunny Cake
  • How to Make a Homemade Chocolate Bunny
  • Easter Chocolate Bark

Easter cookie gifts in cellophane bags

These Peep Bunny Cookies Make Great Gifts!

Once those cookies are ready, pop one or two into a clear cellophane gift bag and tie it up with a cute ribbon! There is no need to go overboard with the decorations because the cookies look amazing through the clear bag. It’s a perfect gift for spring

Thanks so much for stopping by to my Peeps Cookies Recipe post! Hope you get to try these delightful spring sugar cookies!

Cheers,

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Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com

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Janine Waite
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I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!
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