Save These soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies feature a delightful marshmallow Peep hidden inside, creating a colorful Easter treat that both kids and adults will love. The dough comes together quickly with basic pantry staples, and stuffing each cookie with a Peep adds a festive touch to your holiday baking.
Bake them until the edges are golden while keeping the center slightly soft to ensure the marshmallow melts beautifully. You can customize with different Peep colors and shapes to match your Easter celebration theme.
Last Easter, my niece Lila came over with this wild idea about stuffing marshmallow Peeps inside chocolate chip cookie dough. I honestly thought she was kidding, but those giggles coming from the kitchen when she pulled the first tray out of the oven told me everything. The marshmallows had melted into these gooey pockets of sugary perfection, and suddenly our traditional cookie tray felt brand new.
I made a batch for our neighborhood egg hunt last year, and lets just say there were barely any left for the actual hunt. My neighbor Tom still asks about them every time we cross paths, usually with this hopeful look in his eyes.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives these cookies their perfect chewy structure
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough while keeping them dense enough to hold the Peeps
- Salt: Balances out all that sweetness from the marshmallows and chocolate
- Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creams beautifully and creates that tender crumb we want
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and creates those irresistible caramel notes
- Granulated sugar: Gives the cookies their crisp edges and helps them spread properly
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better and help bind everything together
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla enhances all the other flavors and makes the kitchen smell amazing
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The perfect contrast to the super sweet marshmallow center
- Marshmallow Peeps: The star of the show that creates that gooey molten surprise
Instructions
- Get your oven ready:
- Preheat to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined
- Cream the butter and sugars:
- Beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes
- Add the eggs and vanilla:
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and mix until everything is incorporated
- Combine everything:
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients just until combined, then fold in the chocolate chips
- Stuff with Peeps:
- Flatten about 2 tablespoons of dough, place a Peep in the center, and cover with another scoop, sealing edges completely
- Bake to perfection:
- Space cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden
- Cool completely:
- Let them rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack
Save These became an instant Easter tradition after that first batch. Something about cutting into a warm cookie and finding that colorful marshmallow center just makes everyone smile, every single time.
Making Ahead
The dough actually freezes beautifully, so I always double the recipe and keep portions ready for unexpected guests or last-minute Easter parties.
Customization Ideas
Dark chocolate chips cut through the sweetness beautifully, and you can match the Peep colors to your Easter table theme for a stunning presentation.
Storage Secrets
These cookies stay soft for days when stored in an airtight container, though they rarely last that long in my house. The marshmallow center stays surprisingly gooey even after cooling.
- Warm slightly before serving for that fresh baked molten effect
- Package them in clear bags tied with pastel ribbons for adorable Easter gifts
- Make mini versions using just one scoop of dough and smaller Peeps
Save Theres something magical about biting into these cookies and discovering that sweet, colorful surprise inside. Happy Easter baking!
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent the Peeps from oozing out during baking?
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Make sure to seal the dough completely around each Peep by pressing the edges firmly together. Avoid overbaking, as this can cause the marshmallow to expand and escape. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking.
- → Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
-
Absolutely! Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips work well. Dark chocolate pairs nicely with the sweet marshmallow flavor if you prefer less sweetness overall.
- → Can I make the dough ahead of time?
-
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Let it soften slightly at room temperature before scooping and stuffing with Peeps. You can also freeze stuffed, unbaked cookies for up to 3 months.
- → What other marshmallow treats can I use instead of Peeps?
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You can substitute regular marshmallows cut in half, or use other seasonal marshmallow shapes. Just ensure whatever you use fits comfortably inside the dough without being too large for the cookie to encase properly.
- → How should I store these cookies?
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Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature.
- → Can I double this batch for a larger crowd?
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Yes, simply double all ingredients. You may need to bake in batches depending on your baking sheet size. The yield will increase to approximately 36 cookies if doubled.
