🐣 Vegan Peeps. Finally. -

Easter candy was always my favorite. Maybe because my Mom made the best Easter baskets. It was the Cadbury Eggs, which I veganized last year, and Peeps that were my absolute favorite. I knew I’d have to tackle an attempt to recreate these very special treats at some point. Traveling for Spring break lit a little fire under my behind on this Friday night. So I am happy to present you with a new Vegan Victuals Nostalgic Classic, a recipe for veganized Peeps!

Color Your Sugar

4 cups vegan granulated sugar

yellow gel coloring

blue gel coloring

1.) Preheat oven to 170. Prepared two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2.) Combine 2 cups and small drop of yellow gel food coloring into a food processor.

2.) Process until sugar is a uniform color. Don’t over-process as it will turn into powdered sugar.

3.) Sift colored sugar onto one of the baking sheets and spread it out a bit.

4.) Repeat Steps 2 and 3 above with the blue gel coloring after rinsing the blade and bowl and drying thoroughly.

5.) Place both baking sheets in the oven and allow to dry out for about 7-8 minutes, mixing occasionally.

6.) After, move the sugar a bit and set aside while you prepare the marshmallows. This is where Peeps will be piped!

Just easy bright color! Why haven’t I done this before?

Making the Marshmallow

E Q U I P M E N T

Stand-up mixer
Large piping bag with large circular tip

I N G R E D I E N T S

3/4 cup plus 6 TB of water
3 teaspoons agar powder (not agar flakes)
1 and 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup (I used Karo light corn syrup)
3/4 cup aquafaba from one can of chickpeas
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
2 and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.) Plug the stand-up mixer in and put on the whisk attachment. Make sure there is no debris in the heat-save bowl. You want smooth marshies.

2.) Put two small saucepans on the stovetop. Affix one of the saucepans with a candy thermometer.

3.) Drain a can of chickpeas so that brine collects in a liquid measuring cup. Use the chickpeas for something else. You should get about 3/4 cup of aquafaba from the can.

4.) Put all ingredients out on the counter. Group them like this:

Agar powder
Corn syrup and sugar
Aquafaba, xanthan gum, lemon juice, vanilla

5.) Now you want to get the three bowls you’ll be handling at once all set. Add the agar powder with 3/4 cup of the water in the small saucepan. Mix until dissolved. Leave on the burner but don’t start the flame yet.

6.) Then, in the saucepan with the candy thermometer, add sugar, corn syrup and the rest of the water (6 TB). Let that sit for a few moments while you prep the stand-up mixer bowl.

7.) Combine aquafaba, lemon juice and xanthan gum in the stand-up mixer bowl and get it ready to go.

8.) Now start everything. Turn on both burners to medium heat and the mixer to high speed. You’ll let the mixer whip up the aquafaba mixture for 2 minutes. Then stop it and add the vanilla.

9.) Watch the agar mixture, stirring occasionally until it’s boiling. Then lower the heat. Turn it up again when the pan with candy thermometer is almost done. Bring it back to a rolling boil. It should be thicker and show signs of getting gelatinous.

10.) Bring the candy pan to a wild boil and keep it going until it reaches 120 degrees C (248 F). Don’t get impatient! And be careful when handling it.

11.) Once sugar syrup mixture is at 120 C (248 F), take off heat and add to the chickpea mixture that’s whipping away. I lowered the speed only slightly and drizzled the syrup mixture in slowly and carefully, using a small rubber spatula to get all that sweetness in there. Let it whip 2 minutes and then add the Agar mixture. You’ll definitely have to use a spatula to get it all out–it should be set loosely.

12.) Now let it whip well to combine. After 5-7 minutes it should look ribbony and delicious.

Making it Peeps!

First, Watch this video for the process. It is very helpful! Also, accept that piping these are a bit tricky. Let your Peeps be the awkward animals they are. They all taste the same. Ok, get going before your marshmallow sets too much!

1.) Fill your large piping bag with marshmallow. Wait 2 minutes before piping to ensure marshmallow will hold its shape.

2.) Now pipe lower body of Peeps on both baking sheets. Be sure to connect their base level as this is what will allow them to pull apart like “real” Peeps.

3.) Now pipe the chest and head of the Peeps. Did you watch that video? It’ll help.

4.) Once all Peeps are piped, cover in the remaining sugar. Use your hands and gently flip them on all sides to coat. Be sure to get in the cracks and crevices.

5.) They now need eyes! Melt some chocolate and dot them on. I had no chocolate (What?!) so, I mixed some cocoa powder with a little bit of water. Chocolate would be a better bet as the cocoa mixture spread a bit.