Peeps!

The goal of this blog, ultimately, is to feature baking that utilizes seasonal produce--a goal I'm clearly not meeting yet with pb&j macarons and peeps. But it is March after all, a produce dead zone where all of the winter produce is starting to taste a bit tedious and the strawberries haven't quite arrived. And, technically it is Peeps season.

Years ago, Martha Stewart published a guide for recreating peeps in her magazine. I tore out the recipe, dreaming about the cute little creations, thinking maybe someday. Friends sent me copies of the article, knowing that if anyone would make the effort to make homemade peeps, it would be me. I love Peeps beyond words. I haven't bought a package of peeps in years because people always buy them for me. I have participated in a peeps eating contest, which you've certainly heard all about if you know me (I'm sorry I'm so redundant, I just loved it so!) This year, a friend suggested I submit an entry to the Washington Post's Peeps Diorama Contest. Even though I always want to make homemade peeps, I'm hesitant because while marshmallows are easy to make I have terrible piping skills. This year, though, knowing my piping skills are probably better than my diorama skills, I decided to give them a shot.

Because my piping skills are poor, many of my chicks looked more like turkeys or Gonzo--nowhere near as adorable as these chicks you can buy at Etsy. But mine are still cute, in their own special way, don't you think? Even though they are no beauties, their bright colors do make me pretty happy when I walk in the door. They taste pretty good, too. I am waiting, however, for them to get dried out so that I can really enjoy them. As anyone who likes peeps will tell you, dry is the only way to go.