Ss there is a whole tale of how I came to make my own Peeps, but I have chosen to spare you my rambling
If you want to know why I made them feel free to visit my blog for the details:
http://jojobean26.blogspot.com/2010/03/faux-peeps.html I know you really all just want to know how to make them so on to the how-to!
A few notes before you begin: This is only a
very easy project if you own a stand mixer. Owning a hand mixer is fine, but it means that you will need to stand over a bowl, whipping constantly for at least 15 minutes. I don't really have that kind of patience, so without my trusty Kitchen Aid, there is no way I'd make these
Also, you may want to prepare a second, smaller glass pan in addition to the 9x13. I ended up with a ton of extra marshmallow this time! You don't want to waste any of this good stuff.
Faux Peeps (Feeps?)Ingredients:
Cooking Spray
2 cups granulated sugar
1 Tbls. corn syrup
4 envelopes gelatin
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
1 1/2 c. water, divided
Preparation:
Spray a 9x13 inch glass pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
Sprinkle gelatin over 3/4 c. water in a bowl. Allow to sit and soften for 5 minutes.
In a small saucepan, bring sugar, corn syrup, and 3/4 cup water to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Turn heat to medium high and cook until it reaches 260 degrees on a candy thermometer.
Place bowl of gelatin over a small pan of simmering water and whisk until all gelatin is melted and combined. Set aside.
Beat egg whites in stand mixer of high until stiff peaks form.
Whisk gelatin into sugar mixture. While mixer is still turned on, slowly pour sugar and gelatin mixture into the egg whites. Beat on high speed for 10-15 minutes. The mixture will get very thick and fluffy. It should look like a jar of, well, fluff.
Pour your fluff immediately into prepared pans, smoothing with a spatula. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 3 hours. It can sit as long as over night.
Now for the fun part. Fill a shallow bowl with colored sugar. Spray your cutter (or knife) lightly with cooking spray. Cut into marshmallow slowly, as it might stick a bit. Lift carefully with your fingers and push out from the cutter into the bowl of sugar. Flip to coat on all sides and move to a piece of waxed paper.
Pipe on the teeny face.
I used black gel coloring for the eyes and nose, but you could also use melted chocolate. My cutter shape came out a little wonky, and I made it much bigger than a standard Peep Bunny. I think the little pink guy felt threatened by his giant cousins. Rightfully so.
**p.s. If you can't find colored sugar, make your own by filling a zilpoc bag with 1 cup of granulated or extra fine sugar and a few drops of food coloring. Seal, shake, then spread on a sheet pan lined with wax paper to dry out. It lasts virtually forever.
**p.p.s. For regular marshmallows (those without color) you can dip them in a mix of 1 part cornstarch and 2 parts powdered sugar. That will give them a nice matte finish and keep them from getting all stuck to each other.
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