This spice cake bar recipe is perfect for the holidays – they are cake-y, moist, and sweet. And the Peeps on top make them so festive!
I’m in love with so many things about winter and the holidays. Where do I even begin? Well – one of the things I love is gingerbread/spice cake. I also love the cold weather. I love the color palettes . . . I’m a big fan of blue, silver, and white (and red, white, and green too!). I love the parties. And I LOVE the holiday Peeps!
Yes – I’m one of those people who looks forward to the Peeps every Easter. I get thrilled when I see the little green, yellow, orange, and pink chicks on my drugstore shelves. I’m also quite thrilled that Peeps have expanded into other holiday seasons as well – Christmas being one of them!
This year I was sent several packages of holiday Peeps with the goal of making a recipe with them. Honestly I don’t think I’ve ever had an easier challenge! I received the following PEEPS® to try:
- PEEPS® Hot Cocoa & Cream Flavored Marshmallow Chicks Dipped in White Fudge
- PEEPS® Milk Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookie Flavored Chicks
While I loved them both for snacking (get in mah belleh!), I knew that the Hot Cocoa & Cream in particular would be the “pièce de résistance” of a dessert I was planning – spice cake bars with frosting! If you have never had a spice cake bar, you’re missing out.
It’s that time of year to make this simple recipe for a party, for neighbor gifts (you can easily wrap these individually), or just to eat as a delicious dessert during the holidays.
They are cake-y, moist, and sweet. And the Peeps on top are the perfect addition and make them so festive!
Spice Cake Bar Recipe
Gather These Supplies
- One box spice cake mix
- One egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup of milk (you may need a little more or less)
- For the frosting:
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 9″ square cake pan
- To decorate the top:
- White/blue sprinkles and/or snowflake sprinkles
- Hot Cocoa & Cream Peeps – at least two packs
Preheat your oven to 350°.
In a mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix with one egg and the vegetable oil. The mixture is going to be pretty thick, but this will give you a good idea of how much milk you need. I prepared 1/3 cup of milk and poured most of it in . . . then stirred.
The goal is to get the mixture to just thin enough that it can be stirred. It will definitely be thicker than you are used to with a typical cake recipe.
Once the mixture is thin enough to stir, mix well for several minutes. Then pour into a 9 x 9 non-stick or greased cake pan.Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until the center is done (you can test with a toothpick; make sure it comes out clean).
Allow to cool for 30 minutes or until the center sets. While the cake bars are cooling, make the vanilla frosting.
Place 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to the sugar. Stir to combine.
The mixture should be frosting consistency; if it isn’t, add a touch of milk and keep stirring until it reaches desired consistency.
Immediately spread on the cake bars with a knife. Sprinkle your sprinkles and snowflakes on top; place your Peeps directly into the icing.
I used six Peeps, but ended up cutting nine bars. If you plan better than I did, you can fit nine Peeps in the pan if you like!
Everything about these little Peeps cake bars is amazing. The Peeps are just sitting on the snow . . . waiting to be eaten!
Oh, and here’s a fun little tip. You can pluck yourPeeps off before you eat your bar and add it to a mug of hot chocolate – some frosting will go into your beverage as well. The bars and the hot chocolate with Peeps is a perfectly delicious dessert!
Peeps in the Snow Cake Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 egg(s)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 cups confectioner's sugar
- 2 T butter
- 2 T milk
- 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 Peeps
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix with one egg and the vegetable oil. The mixture is going to be pretty thick, but this will give you a good idea of how much milk you need. I prepared 1/3 cup of milk and poured most of it in . . . then stirred.
- The goal is to get the mixture to just thin enough that it can be stirred. It will definitely be thicker than you are used to with a typical cake recipe.
- Once the mixture is thin enough to stir, mix well for several minutes. Then pour into a 9 x 9 non-stick or greased cake pan.Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until the center is done (you can test with a toothpick; make sure it comes out clean).
- Allow to cool for 30 minutes or until the center sets. While the cake bars are cooling, make the vanilla frosting.
- Place 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to the sugar. Stir to combine.
- The mixture should be frosting consistency; if it isn’t, add a touch of milk and keep stirring until it reaches desired consistency.
- Immediately spread on the cake bars with a knife. Sprinkle your sprinkles and snowflakes on top; place your Peeps directly into the icing.
Nutrition
Now I’d love to know, what is your favorite recipe with holiday Peeps?
For more information on PEEPS® and delicious ideas, visit them on their website as well as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Happy Holidays!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Just Born, Inc. All opinions are 100% mine.
Paige says
I love spice cake! This looks delicious!
Paige
http://www.thehappyflammily.com/
Susan says
My kids would KILL for this!
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
This is so cute. My daughter loves the holiday peeps.
Andrea says
What a fun way to use peeps!
Sarah says
oOOOOH! sOUNDS DELICIOUS! I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THESE PEEPS EXISTED SO i’LL DEFINITELY HAVE TO CHECK THEM OUT!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
These look so good! Love those Peeps!
Meegan says
I didn’t know Peeps came in so many flavors. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Peeps are my fave anytime of year. Thanks, Amy!
Leanne says
I had no idea there were those flavors of Peeps. They would be great stocking stuffers for my kids and hubby. The cake looks delicious too!!!
sarah @ {Home-ology} modern vintage says
oh, how fun! I have a couple of little girls coming to the house this weekend and this will be the perfect kitchen project. thanks for sharing!
linda(burlap+blue) says
This is so clever! Love it. We love peeps in our household and will definitely try this new way of enjoying them!
Randi says
So cute … and it sounds delicious!
Ashley @ Simply Designing says
Wow! This looks so yummy! And seriously!? Hot cocoa peeps!? Yum! I need to go find some of those right away!
Malia says
Oh my gosh these are so adorable!