National Peeps Day is celebrated on April 5 every year, and we’re so excited to celebrate by indulging our sweet tooth! We hope you’re as excited, too. While Peeps are usually associated with Easter — and recently with Halloween — their special day is in April. Springtime isn’t only synonymous with April showers and the beautiful blooms, it’s also Peeps season. Everyone — kids and adults — loves Peeps: those brightly colored, sugar-coated marshmallow chicks and bunnies are simply irresistible! It’s no surprise, though those spongy, candied confections with eyes made of edible wax produced in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, have been everyone’s favorite since their inception in 1953. You just can’t stop at one — or two!
History of National Peeps Day
Peeps were introduced in 1953 when Russian immigrant Sam Born’s candy company, Just Born, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, acquired the Rodda Candy Company and its handmade marshmallow chick line. Upon the acquisition, Sam Born’s son, Bob Born, led the automation of the marshmallow creation process, reducing the manufacturing time from almost 27 hours to just six minutes! In 1955, Bob also removed the wings that used to appear on each Peep, further facilitating the mass production process. Just Born also manufactures other treats like Mike & Ikes, Peanut Chews, and Hot Tamales.
Peeps are produced from a traditional, family-guarded recipe containing granulated sugar, liquid sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, and vanilla extract which hasn’t really changed since its inception. The original form of the candy was the yellow, pink, and white chicks, but the company subsequently introduced other colors — blue, green, pink, lavender, and orange. By the 1960s, the company introduced new shapes in addition to the traditional chick shapes, following a theme according to the season. Now, Peeps exist in shapes like bunnies, ghosts, and many other animal shapes.
Between 1999 and 2002, new flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry were also introduced to Peeps lovers. Other flavors include cotton candy, gingerbread, pancakes and syrup, and root beer float. In 2009, Just Born launched its Peeps Lip Balm in four flavors — grape, strawberry, vanilla, and cotton candy — in a bid to expand the Peeps product line. Not stopping at that, the company has also invested in the production of various accessories and fashion items such as earrings, necklaces, wristbands, nail polish, plush toys, golf gloves, and umbrellas which are sold online and in retail stores.
National Peeps Day timeline
Just Born gains the Rodda Candy Company and its marshmallow chick line.
Just Born expands the Peeps product line further by introducing Peeps Lip Balm in four flavors: grape, strawberry, vanilla, and cotton candy.
Maryland’s National Harbor hosts the first World Peeps Eating Championship.
Just Born and PepsiCo (maker of Pepsi products) announce a “limited edition” of ‘Peeps Marshmallow Cola’ soft drinks.
National Peeps Day FAQs
Are Peeps indestructible?
In 1999, some scientists at Emory University tested the theory that Peeps are indestructible by microwave, tap water, acetone, boiling water, and sulfuric acid. The candies survived them all until they were tested with phenol — in which only the eyes remained!
Why did it take 27 hours to make Peeps?
Handcrafting Peeps in the earliest days took roughly 27 hours because the marshmallow needed to cool.
What is meant by ‘peep of day?’
It’s an idiom meaning ‘break of day’ or ‘daybreak’.
National Peeps Day Activities
Binge
It’s a day to indulge without feeling guilty about it. If you’re a Peeps conservative, you can just eat them straight out of the package — fresh or stale and slightly crunchy!
Get creative
There are lots of Peeps-centric recipes you could try. Consider creative recipes like ‘Peepza’ (Peeps on a pizza), ‘Peep chips’ (fire-roasted and oven-dried Peeps), or ‘Peepshi’ (faux sushi made from Peeps, Fruit by the Foot, Nerds, etc.).
Host a Peep Show
Feeling like Michelangelo? Organize a contest using the confections to create artistic 3D sculptures. You’ll find lots of previously crafted masterpieces made with Peeps online to inspire you!
5 Interesting Facts About Peeps
Peeps made per day
An average of 5.5 million peeps are made every day.
World Peeps-eating champion
Matt Stonie of California won the second annual World Peeps Eating Championship in 2017 when he ate 255 peeps in five minutes!
The original Peep’s is still the favorite
Yellow chicks are the original Peeps and are still the people’s favorite.
The eyes come last
Made of carnauba — a non-toxic edible wax (also found in some shoe polishes and car waxes) — is the final part added to Peeps.
Best-selling non-chocolate Easter candy
It’s estimated that 700 million Peeps are eaten each Easter season!
Why We Love National Peeps Day
A time to indulge
No lies, those soft, sweet marshmallow confections are a palatable delight. We’re happy there’s a day to binge on them!
They are mood boosters
Delectable confections like Peeps offer a great way to boost our moods. Safe to say you’ll hardly see anyone wear a frown while eating a Peep!
Activating creativity
For the artful and artistic, Peeps is a great way to channel your creative side. Many Peeps-based art contests are open every year for everyone to join in.
National Peeps Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | April 5 | Friday |
| 2025 | April 5 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 5 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 5 | Monday |
| 2028 | April 5 | Wednesday |
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