Peeps Day 2023: Every year on April 5, Peeps Day is observed, and we can’t wait to celebrate by indulging our sweet tooth! We hope you share our enthusiasm. Despite the fact that Peeps are typically associated with Easter and, more recently, Halloween, their special day is in April. Spring is not only associated with April showers and beautiful flowers, but also with Peeps. These brightly coloured, sugar-coated marshmallow chicks and bunnies are irresistible to children and adults alike. Since their inception in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1953, these spongy, candied confections with edible wax eyes have been a fan favourite. You can’t just have one — or two!
HISTORY OF PEEPS DAY
In 1953, Russian immigrant Sam Born’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based candy company, Just Born, purchased the Rodda Candy Company and its handmade marshmallow chick line. Following the acquisition, Bob Born, the son of Sam Born, oversaw the automation of the marshmallow-making process, reducing production time from nearly 27 hours to just six minutes! In 1955, Bob also eliminated the wings that formerly appeared on each Peep, further streamlining mass production. Just Born produces additional candies, including Mike & Ikes, Peanut Chews, and Hot Tamales.
Since their inception, the recipe for Peeps, which includes granulated sugar, liquid sugar, corn syrup, gelatin and vanilla extract, has remained largely unchanged. The original form of the candy consisted of yellow, pink and white chicks, but the company has since added additional hues, including blue, green, pink, lavender and orange. In the 1960s, in addition to the traditional chick shapes, the company introduced new shapes that were themed according to the season. Peeps are currently available in the shapes of bunnies, ghosts, and numerous other animals.
Peeps lovers were introduced to new flavours such as chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry between 1999 and 2002. Cotton candy, gingerbread, pancakes and syrup and root beer float are additional flavours. Just Born introduced four flavours of Peeps Lip Balm in 2009, including grape, strawberry, vanilla and cotton candy, in an effort to expand the Peeps product line. In addition, the company has invested in the production of a variety of accessories and fashion items, including earrings, necklaces, wristbands, nail polish, plush toys, golf gloves, and umbrellas, which are sold online and in stores.
PEEPS DAY ACTIVITIES
Binge
It is an opportunity to indulge without feeling guilty. If you’re a Peeps purist, you can eat them fresh or stale and slightly crunchy straight from the package!
Be innovative
There are numerous Peeps-centric recipes available. Consider Peepza (Peeps on a pizza), Peep chips (fire-roasted and oven-dried Peeps), and Peepshi (faux sushi made from Peeps, Fruit by the Foot, Nerds, etc.).
Perform a Peep Show.
Feeling like Michelangelo? Create a competition in which confections are used to create artistic 3D sculptures. You can find numerous Peeps-crafted works of art online to serve as inspiration!
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PEEPS
Peeps made per day
Every day, an average of 5.5 million peeps are produced.
Peeps-eating world champion
Matt Stonie of California won the 2017 World Peeps Eating Championship by consuming 255 peeps in five minutes.
The original Peep’s remains the most popular.
Yellow chicks are the original Peeps and continue to be the most popular variety.
Eyes arrive last
The final ingredient added to Peeps is carnauba, a non-toxic edible wax (also found in some shoe polishes and car waxes).
Bestsellers that are not chocolate Easter sweets
Each Easter, an estimated 700 million Peeps are consumed!
PEEPS DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 5 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 5 | Friday |
| 2025 | April 5 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 5 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 5 | Monday |
