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 once 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. I was so when 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!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=633684493745368

Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal

Peeps Shortbread Checkerboard

ingredients:

• 1 package Peeps Bunnies
• 2 packages Peeps Chicks

For 2 batches of shortbread

• 4 sticks butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 cups flour

For 2 batches of icing:

• 5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
• 4 to 6 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract
• food coloring

instructions

1. Heat oven to 300 degrees. Working with half the cookie ingredients at a time, 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. Repeat for second batch.
3. For icing, divide ingredients between two bowls. Beat until smooth. Color as desired. Add additional water if needed. 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.

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 PEEP into the Upcoming #SpringSweetsWeek Festivities by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Blueberry Shortbread by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Carrot Cake Balls by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
• Carrot Cake Cupcakes by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Carrot Cake Nest Cookies by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Carrot Cake Swirl Cheesecake by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Coconut Lemon Pound Cake by The Crumby Kitchen
• Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies by Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats
• Easy Marshmallow Popcorn Balls by House of Nash Eats
• Easy Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars by Creative Southern Home
• Healthier Orange Julius Copycat by Simply Inspired Meals
• Individual Italian Easter Breads by Cookaholic Wife
• Lemon Blueberry Croissant Bread Pudding by The Freshman Cook
• Lemon Blueberry Scones by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
• Lemon Cream Pie by Home Sweet Homestead
• Lemon Ricotta Stuffed Crepes with Cherry Syrup by Cooking With Carlee
• Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Mini Strawberry Mousse Tarts by A Savory Feast
• Orange Pineapple Nice Cream Pops by Crumb Top Baking
• PB&J PEEPSomars by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Peach Blueberry Upside Down Cake by The Tip Garden
• Peeps Shortbread Checkerboard by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Roasted Strawberry Mousse Tart by The Gingered Whisk
• Soft Frosted Lemon Cookies by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Spring Fruit and Rice Krispies Treat Kabobs by Blogghetti
• Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie by Books n' Cooks
• Sweet Breakfast Crepes by The Speckled Palate
• Toasted Pound Cake by Our Good Life
• Vanilla Bean Dutch Baby with Strawberry Hibiscus Syrup by The Baking Fairy
• White Chocolate Strawberry and Champagne Scones with Champagne Glaze by Family Around the Table
• White Cupcakes with Blueberry Frosting by Sweet Beginnings
• Xangos by Palatable Pastime

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the amazing prizes you can win in our #SpringSweetsWeek Giveaway!

 

Prize #1:   Swiss Diamond Cookware is giving one winner an XD Nonstick 6 Piece Newlywed Kitchen Kit!  Swiss Diamond’s 6-Piece XD Newlywed Set is the ultimate nonstick cookware collection, with a pot or pan for nearly every recipe you can think of! Nothing conducts heat more efficiently than diamonds, and combined with the extra-thick cast aluminum body, these pans have amazingly even heat distribution. With this superior heat retention, they sear ingredients as well as stainless steel, but without the messy cleanup. The XD nonstick coating releases so well, you can cook anything without a drop of oil or butter.   This set includes a 9.5" fry pan, an 8" fry pan, a 2.2 quart saucepan with lid, and 5.5 quart soup pot with lid. Visit https://www.swissdiamond.com/ for delicious recipes and the best nonstick cookware around.

Prize #2:  Dixie Crystals is giving one winner the Wilton Ultimate Cake Decorating Tools Set!   What better way to decorate your cakes made with Dixie Crystals sugar then to use this decorating set?  A blue and white rectangular organizer caddy has 4 see-through drawers and 2 top compartments for holding tips, plus slots on the side to hold spatulas.  Included in the caddy are 263 pieces including piping tips, a practice board, decorating bags, straight and angled spatulas, flower nails and an icing comb. There's also a lot of handy fondant tools including a roller, cut-out sets, impression mats, modeling tools, shaping foam and a fondant smoother. It's a cake decorators dream!   Visit www.dixiecrystals.com for hundreds of recipes, holiday ideas, great ways to get kids baking in the kitchen, and plenty of baking videos.

  

Prize #3:  Melissa's Produce is giving one winner an Organic Family Produce Box.  This box contains 100% organic fruits and vegetables including kale, cucumbers, apples, pears, lemons, oranges, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and so much more!  It's easy to get in your five servings of fruits and vegetables with this fun produce box. Visit https://www.melissas.com to find the best fruits, vegetables, gifts, and to get tasty recipes!

   

Prize #4:  Nancy's Yogurt is giving one winner a fabulous Nancy's Yogurt tote bag full of fun items!   One winner will receive a tote bag stuffed with coupons for free Nancy's Yogurt products, a super cute T-shirt, recipe cards, and Post-Its.  It's everything you need to learn more about Nancy's Yogurt.  To learn more about Nancy's Yogurt, the products they sell, and how they make their products visit https://nancysyogurt.com/.

 

Prize #5:  PEEPS is giving one winner a gift card to PEEPS® & Co.  The winner can choose from a variety of delicious PEEPS® & Co candy items as well as apparel.  They even have fun gifts like throw blankets, slippers, plush bunnies, and socks.   The choice is yours! Visit https://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/ to buy PEEPS® & Co. candy, gifts, and apparel.

   

Prize #6:  Barlean's is giving one winner a bottle of Seriously Delicious Omega-3, Extra Strength Ideal CBD Hemp Oil, and a bag of Super Seeds. Seriously Delicious Omega-3 is a tasty way to add Omega-3's to your diet without a fishy after taste. The Extra Strength Ideal CBD Hemp Oil is made from US grown hemp, contains no artificial ingredients, has a natural mint flavor, and is gluten free, vegan, and is known to promote health and to keep people resilient to changes in their environment.  Super Seeds are a delicious way to add antioxidants and Omega-3's to your morning oatmeal, smoothies, and yogurt.  Visit www.barleans.com to learn more about their products, community, and where you can purchase their products.

 

Prize #7:  Adams Extract is giving one winner four of their amazing extracts and a set of their food colors.   The extracts include Pure Almond Extract, Pure Vanilla Extract, and Pure Lemon Extract.  The winner will also receive Adams Best Twice as Strong Vanilla which is awesome to bake with.  To learn more about Adams Extract, to shop their products, or to find delicious recipes visit https://www.adamsextract.com

   

Prize #8:  Sprinkle Pop is giving one winner six fabulous sprinkle mixes from their Easter collection!   The sprinkle mixes include Hangin' with my Peeps, Bewitched, Signature, Green Tea, Cottontail Confetti, and Egg Hunt.  These fun sprinkles are a great addition to any spring or Easter baked goods.  Over 50% of all the sprinkles are dyed in house so they are one of a kind!   Visit https://sprinklepop.shop/ to shop their sprinkles, learn how they give back to the community, and for fun recipes! 

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.

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