For the Marshmallow

• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1½ cups sugar
• ½ cup water
• 4 egg whites
• 2 tbsp powdered gelatin
• 4 tbsp cold water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 drops food coloring

For Decorating

• generous amount of powdered sugar
• water
• disco dust extra-fine edible glitter
• food coloring

Equipment

• stand mixer with whisk attachment
• candy thermometer
• parchment paper-lined baking sheet
• piping bag with large round tip (#806 suggested)
• 2 small paintbrushes
• toothpicks

Make Marshmallow

1. Add powdered gelatin to 4 tbsp cold water and stir. It will look "weird and clumpy," but that's how it's supposed to look. If too dry, and not mixing well, add a bit more cold water. Set aside to "bloom"
2. In a saucepan, add sugar, ½ cup light corn syrup, and ½ cup water and whisk to combine ingredients
3. Turn heat to high and bring mixture to a boil. You want to reach 235°, using a candy thermometer to measure. This will take about 10 minutes
4. While bringing sugar mixture to a boil, add egg whites to a stand mixer and begin whipping, starting on low speed until soft peaks form. Set aside
5. When the sugar mixture reaches 235°, turn off the heat, add "bloomed" gelatin and quickly stir to dissolve
6. Turn mixer to medium speed, and slowly add hot mixture to whipping whites
7. Add vanilla and whip on high until the mixing bowl feels cool to the touch, and the mixture forms stiff peaks (should look like the consistency of marshmallow fluff). This will take 20-25 minutes
8. Add food coloring if desired and mix until color is uniform

Pipe Peeps

1. Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper and cover the parchment with powdered sugar liberally - peeps are very sticky! Don't be stingy with the powdered sugar!
2. Fill a piping bag fitted with large round tip (#806 suggested) with marshmallow. [IMPORTANT: Not all of the mixture will fit in the piping bag, so leave remaining marshmallow in the mixer on medium speed while piping the first batch so it doesn't dry out]
3. Pipe a teardrop shape for the body, applying pressure and slowly dragging back the piping bag, releasing pressure
4. Then pipe the peep by squeezing the marshmallow on top of the teardrop, pulling the piping bag up and back.  Slowly release your pressure and allow the peak to fall forward
5. Allow peeps to dry overnight in a cool dry place

Glamour-ize Peeps!

1. Using a small paintbrush, start on one area of the peep and brush lightly with water
2. With your second paintbrush, dip in the disco dust and start to work in sections to cover the peep
3. Dip a toothpick in food coloring and dot each side of the head for "eyes"
4. Store covered, at room temperature