Skip to main content

Peeps Shortbread Checkerboard


This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

We are huge Peeps fans in this house, especially my son, and I was so excited to hear that they'd signed on as a sponsor for this event. Peeps wants to know, are you Team #PeepsBunny or Team #PeepsChick? This got me thinking about different ways the bunnies and chicks might square off against each other. Squares. Checkerboard.  Game on!

Initially I thought about doing sugar cookies, but they are prone to spreading, so I went with shortbread instead. The completed checkerboard requires 2 batches of dough. I do not recommend trying to mix a double batch of the dough in one bowl.  It is far too hard to work with that way. Make one batch, roll it out, get it baking and then do the second. 


This was my first ever shortbread, and I completely panicked that it was not going to come together.  I saw that crumbly mess in the bowl, and automatically reread the directions to see if I'd done something wrong,. but it rolled out perfectly between the waxed paper.  I cut out the squares with a 2x2 cutter. The great thing about shortbread is that it doesn't spread, so I got about 20 cookies per half sheet tray, and the two batches makes 80 2x2" cookies. 


I made the icing in 2 batches as well, one bowl for each color.  You can use the outline and fill method, which entails making the icing a bit thicker at first to pipe borders and then thinning it out and filling in the inside, or you can make it thin to start and just spoon it over the cookies.  I went with the second method.   I placed the cooled cookies on wire racks over parchment paper and spooned the color over, making sure the tops were completely covered.


Once the icing was set, I laid them out in the classic checkerboard pattern, and placed the Peeps on top.  I was so happy with how it turned out. We had fun playing a few games, though there was some debate over whether it was legal to eat the Peeps that you jumped over :)

Peeps and our other SpringSweetsWeek sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes. Thank you so much Swiss Diamond, Dixie Crystals, Nancy’s Yogurt, Sprinkle Pop, Adams Extracts, Barleans, and Melissa’s Produce for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and would love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!




Peeps Shortbread Checkerboard

Peeps Shortbread Checkerboard

Yield: 64
Author:

ingredients:

  • 1 package Peeps Bunnies
  • 2 packages Peeps Chicks
  • 4 sticks butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5 cups flour
For Icing:
  • Powdered sugar
  • butter
  • corn syrup
  • extract
  • food coloring
  • water

instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 300 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Slowly add in flour. Mixture will look crumbly. Move to your work surface and knead and press the dough together for about 3 or 4 minutes.
  2. Working with half the dough at a time, roll out between 2 sheets of wax or parchment paper to approximately 1/4." Cut cookies with 2" square cutter. Place on baking sheets 2" apart. Bake for 20 to 25 mins. Move to racks and cool completely.
  3. For icing, combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth. Place cookies on a wire rack above a baking sheet or parchment. Spoon icing over cookies, spreading to the edges. Let set for 8 hours or overnight.
  4. Arrange cookies in a checkerboard pattern on a large platter or food grade cardboard. Top with Peeps.
shortbread, Peeps,
Cookies, Easter
American
Created using The Recipes Generator

 Welcome to #SpringSweetsWeek 2019 hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures! What better way to celebrate the coming of spring than with food and a fun giveaway? 30 bloggers from around the country have come together to share over 100 sweet recipes perfect for spring!

Monday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes


a Rafflecopter giveaway


cookie checkerboard

Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Swiss Diamond, Nancy’s Yogurt, Barlean’s, Sprinkle Pop, PEEPS, Melissa’s Produce, and Adams Extracts for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The #SpringSweetsWeek giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older.   All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

Comments

  1. Such a cute idea! This Peeps checkerboard would certainly be a hit at any family Easter gathering.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a cute idea, perfect for the centerpiece of a dessert table at my next Spring gathering.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't tell you how much I love this idea! It is so cute and so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I LOVE the Peeps Shortbread Checkerboard!! Love to see Peeps being used in so many different ways!! They are made in my hometown of Bethlehem, PA and I used to live about a mile from the factory ..... so, Peeps are kind of special to me!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I need to pick up some peeps just so I can make this! What a fun and creative idea. And you can't go wrong with shortbread!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is such a fun idea. PEEPS are such a fun Easter food anyway and now you have created a fun way to play with them!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This idea is adorable! I love how you decorated the cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is such a cute idea! I have such a weak spot for shortbread, and these sound wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I need to teach my kids to play checkers so I can get them to appreciate this! What a fun idea!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is just about the cutest thing ever! What a fun way to use the PEEPS!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ok, you win the internet today! Adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your Peeps Checkerboard! I like the chicks best! One of my favorite spring sweets are anything made with cherries

    ReplyDelete
  13. So clever! Yes it's time to play with your food!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You are so creative and fun! I love this idea! I also love shortbread...and pink bunny peeps!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is such a cute idea, I like how your mind works. This would be so fun to serve at a party!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the peeps shortbread checkerboard! My fav Spring dessert is strawberry shortcake with homemade shortcake and REAL WHIPPED CREAM!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Totally legal to eat the PEEPS you jump over!
    This is so much fun. I'm not surprised it was a hit. Totally going to make this next year!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a fabulous idea! My kids would absolutely love this! It would make a great centerpiece for an Easter brunch!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Absolutely adorable and so fun! Perfect for any spring celebration!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Copycat Dunkin Donuts Egg White & Veggie Omelet Bites

I'm a huge fan of the Dunkin Donuts Power Breakfast sandwich, so when I started seeing ads for the new Egg White & Veggie Omelet Bites I stopped in and gave them a try.  They were delicious, but of course, I knew I could make them at home.  I started with the whites of six eggs. You can use pasturized whites if you don't want to do the whole separating, finding a use for the yolks thing.  I beat them up with some salt and pepper.   Next up, the tomato and spinach.  I used grape tomatoes, seeded them and then chopped them into 1/4" pieces. I like baby spinach, and I took about 10 leaves and chopped those up into 1/4" pieces as well. I added that to the egg mixture.  When you pour it into the pans, be sure that it all gets evenly distributed. They bake up pretty quickly, around 9 minutes or so.  Dunkin gives you two egg bites, the mini donut serving size is three. I pop them in ziplocs in the fridge and just pull a bag and reheat them in the microwave for a quick

Stuffed Waffles

I wasn't sure I was going to blog these stuffed waffles since it was the first time I tried using the new iron but since I'd already taken the pics as I went I figured, why not? They aren't perfect but they are delicious! I'd seen videos floating around TikTok and Instagram of people making stuffed waffles so I hopped over to Amazon and ordered the Elite Gourmet version.  The instructions were fairly straightforward but there was no recipe so I made up a batch of Classic Waffle batter. Then I scoured the fridge for things to stuff them with.    First up, some leftover taco meat from the previous night and Fiesta blend cheese,  pepperoni and mozzarella cheese and lastly some strawberries and cream cheese.   For the taco stuffed I added the taco meat and cheese in the middle and then set out some salsa and sour cream to top them with.  Learning curve lesson 1- make sure your ingredients are all room temp before you start, they will bake much quicker.  For the pepperoni pi

Copycat Dunkin Donuts Bacon and Cheddar Omelet Bites

Since I already came up with a version of Dunkin Donuts new Egg White & Veggie Omelet Bites for myself, I decided to make the other variety that they are offering, Bacon & Cheddar, for my husband. Super simple.  Beat up some eggs with salt and pepper.  Add in some shredded cheddar and a slice of bacon cut into 1/4" pieces (I used kitchen shears).  Bake them for about 9 minutes in sprayed mini donut pans. They baked up light and fluffy.  The bacon stayed crisp and there's just the perfect amount of cheese.   I split them up into portions in zip top bags and that way we can just grab a bag and warm them up. My husband laughed when I told him 3 is the serving size.  I'll definitely be doubling the recipe next time! Copycat Dunkin Donuts Bacon & Cheddar Omelette Bites Print With Image Without Image Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients 4 large eggs 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3T shredded cheddar cheese 1 slice cooked bacon, cut in 1/4" piec