by Julia Schrenkler
Member since:
August 31, 2005

How long should Marshmallow Peeps "ripen?"

March 26, 2007 10:05 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 32

So I picked up a double package of Marshmallow Peeps the other day, and I plan to allow them to "ripen" (read: dry out) before bringing them to Mom's. This is a highly scientific procedure, involving slicing open the package and allowing them to air dry naturally in a cool, protected space, like a cupboard.

But here's the deal: how long should I allow them to "ripen?" The fam loves them all dry and chewy, and I want this to peep-perfect.

___________________
Julia Schrenkler
APM/MPR Interactive Producer

Comments: 32

Ronnie Ray Jenkins Mar 26, 2007, 10:08am UTC
A simple test I always found to work requires a sling shot, a window, and running shoes.
Julia Schrenkler Mar 26, 2007, 10:20am UTC
Yeah, I'm with you Deb. In fact I published this and figured what-the-heck, and opened the package to begin "ripening".

Ron, so you're the culprit! *grin*
Britten L. Mar 26, 2007, 10:31am UTC
And here I thought I was the only person who did this! :) Mine have to set out at least a week or two in order to have that "perfect" texture!
Julia Schrenkler Mar 26, 2007, 10:50am UTC
Welcome to the fold, Britten! You leave yours out for a week or two, that sounds about right...
J F. Mar 26, 2007, 12:03pm UTC
Even as a kid, that was the only way I liked them. I made out because my brothers and sisters didn't want their "old" ones.
Julia Schrenkler Mar 26, 2007, 12:05pm UTC
Right on, J F. How "old" do you like them?
Sonia M. Mar 26, 2007, 12:07pm UTC
I don't have the will power to let them 'ripen'.....I want mine NOW!
Julia Schrenkler Mar 26, 2007, 1:34pm UTC
Sonia, it isn't willpower, it is one of those things where when they're too soft it sorta creeps me out.

Thanks for the tip, Deb. I think I've seen that before but never tried it.
Richard H. Mar 26, 2007, 3:24pm UTC
Buy a couple hundred packs. Open them all. Test by eating one or two every hour until they are perfect. Then eat all the rest of them.

Enjoy!

Do you remember Campfire Girl marshmallows? Yummm.

R
Connie C. Mar 26, 2007, 5:42pm UTC
Ripen, heck............lets eat them now!
Igga Digga Mar 27, 2007, 10:50am UTC
I usually open the package and poke them all with a fork the night before I want to eat them. I'm not sure if the fork actually helps at all, but it sure is fun. :P I don't think I could last more than a couple of days with an open pack of peeps in the house, all I'd be able to think about were peeps!
Gary Fischbach Mar 27, 2007, 11:36am UTC
http://www.twincities.com/searchresults/ci_5444925

For you folks who don't read the Saint Paul Pioneer Press or are not from Minnesota, make sure to check the Easter Edition of the paper. The peeps contest is great. It's been going on for years.
Julia Schrenkler Mar 27, 2007, 2:39pm UTC
Richard, your suggestion sounds very much like a scientific study that many could enjoy. And no, I don't recall Campfire Girl marshmallows - can you elaborate?

My family is firmly in the peeps-must-nearly-break-teeth camp, Connie, or I would eat 'em up. They need this entire time to dry out!

Igga Digga, what happens when you poke them with a fork? Is it just goofy fun?

Thanks for the reminder, Gary. Clickable version: READER ALERT: PEEPS DIORAMA CONTEST. It is pretty funny.
~ Zeldapie Mar 27, 2007, 2:58pm UTC
The harder, the better. [insert joke here]

No really, I LURVE PEEPS!!! Soft, hard, I don't care. I've been known to eat year-old PEEPS - I just had to let them sit on my tongue for a while to soften up. I mean, come ON... sugah is sugah. It's always good.

*Zpie, hepped up on PEEPS
ONE HARSH CRITIC Mar 27, 2007, 3:09pm UTC
Peeps are disgusting. Am I alone on that?
Sarah Erlewine Mar 27, 2007, 3:15pm UTC
You are NOT alone, Josh. I will never understand the appeal of Peeps. I am glad someone else was bold enough to say so. :-)
Well we were allowed so very little in the way of sweets as children that Easter was always a real treat, and Peeps were great then. The thought of them now rather makes me gag.
Sarah Erlewine Mar 27, 2007, 3:30pm UTC
It's funny that I hate Peeps so much, because I like marshmallows otherwise. Chocolate covered marshmallows? Heaven. Peeps, I don't get. I agree with Sue, they kind of make me gag.
I think it's because they are sugar coated on top of the marshmallow, Sarah.
Auntie Smedley Mar 28, 2007, 12:00am UTC
No no no no no!!! Peeps must be eaten fresh for maximum enjoyment!

(I am a purist)
Auntie Smedley Mar 28, 2007, 12:02am UTC
(I am soooooooo incredibly bummed that I've missed the deadline for the Peeps diorama contest! Man, I coulda won...)
Julia Schrenkler Mar 28, 2007, 10:37am UTC
Wow, pass that sugar Zeldapie!

Peep avoiders Josh G., sarah e. and Sue B. represent! I get it, I'm not a fan of them all fresh unlike some purists.

And *grin* There's still time to make one and share it here, auntie. We'll all appreciate the art. Or you can plot for next year's contest... but at least give us a hint, eh?
Sallie M. Mar 28, 2007, 11:52pm UTC
Gee and I thought my sister was the only one who opened her Peeps and allowed them to get "stale" before she ate them..just smelling them gives me a headache..too sweet.
Julia Schrenkler Mar 30, 2007, 9:18am UTC
Nah, Sallie, your sister has lots of company!

The older I get the less I want to eat them, they are wayyyyy sweet. A few bites works. More than two peeps and I feel sick. Do you get a headache from other sweet foods?
Igga Digga Mar 30, 2007, 4:57pm UTC
Julia, I like to imagine that the fork holes increases the peep's surface-to-air ratio so they'll dry faster, but I'd be surprised if it really makes much difference. :)
Richard H. Apr 1, 2007, 12:46am UTC
campfire girl marshmallows....mom used to get them sometimes when we lived in South Minneapolis not far from the air base. I am not sure but I think maybe campfire girls sold them? campfire girls were (are?) an organization sort of like girl scouts, maybe as cub scouts are to boy scouts, campfire girls are to girl scouts? anyway the marshmallows came in a box with a slide-out drawer, bigger than the old cardboard strike anywhere match box, but same kind of thing. the marshmallows were packed in there in a neat single or maybe double layer....completely filling the box. each one was covered with a powdery stuff, not as sweet as sugar (was it maybe cornstarch?) and they were much more firm and dense than the kind of marshmallows that come in bags. they used to be a little dry, almost with a crust on the outside, but wonderfully soft and chewy in the middle. i want one right now.

r
M.K. Mueller Apr 3, 2007, 7:29pm UTC
Too funny! I'm not a fan of peeps so I've never heard of letting them "ripen." It just goes to show that you're never too old to learn something new! :) I'm definitely a chocoholic and find I'm not "attracted" to other sweets so much.
roxanne m. Apr 3, 2007, 7:32pm UTC
Please post this to the PEEPS Fans group! This is too cute!!

A true Peepster would have purchased them in February when they come out, poke holes into the plastic with a pin, and allowed them to slowly "mature".

10 for you.
Julia Schrenkler Apr 4, 2007, 4:10pm UTC
Still sounds like fun, Igga Digga. Thanks for tolerating my curiosity!

Richard H. are you a food writer? Because you could be. You make them sound so good.

Funny how certain flavors appeal to us, eh M.K. Mueller? If I like both peeps and chocolate (both in small amounts) does that make me a candy omnivore?

roxanne, point me in the right direction for the group!

o 0 (wonder what the criteria is to become a true peepster)
Julia Schrenkler Apr 9, 2007, 10:02am UTC
A follow up note: the "2 week ripened" Peeps were a big hit. I'm tempted to grab some clearance peeps and set them out as a surprise for mom...
.* Sandi * Jun 26, 2008, 11:39pm UTC
ahhhh and i thought i was the only one doing this
I always buy peeps reduced
leave them sealed and when i want them to "ripen" i open them then
sometimes they are crunchy which is the best
Julia Schrenkler Jun 27, 2008, 9:35am UTC
Naw, you've got lots of company, Sandi. Now with the product coming out at most holidays fans don't have to wait much.

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