***UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)

I saw recipes for several of these on the net. So, I sorta compiled all of them to make this one. I just think Peeps are so cute! I don’t want to eat them, but I sure do like looking at them. I used to like them, until one year I got too many of them…..now when I smell them I get a little sick. Funny how that happens to me regularly (peeps, squeeze pop, and circus peanuts). There’s a reason they come with serving sizes, people. So, let’s make an M&M Peep S’mores jar gift! They would be great for teachers or grandparents – or let’s just be honest…ourselves.

You’ll need a quart mason jar, Peeps in your favorite color, brown sugar, cookie crumbs, and Easter M&Ms. I <3 mason jars. Actually, I just like jars in general. I have them everywhere. If it’s glass, I keep it. I get less fond of plastic as the days go by. But glass, man it’s just awesome. You can bring me a jar, empty even, and I’ll be your friend forever. If it’s pretty, you’ll be in the top 10 friends list.

I keep a glass jar in my cabinet for cookie crumbs. You know you always have them in the bottom of a cookie tub or jar….I don’t throw them out. I just accumulate them until I have enough to make something.  They don’t have to match. As Michael Scott says, “embrace diversity.” Pour your crumbs down in the jar to make your first layer. Reserve about ¼ cup of the crumbs.  I think this is equivalent to one sleeve of graham crackers, crushed.

Now, arrange your Peeps around the side of the jar, sitting on the crumbs. I can’t tell you how many it will take because it depends on your jar, the climate, how hard to smush them in there, and how you fixed your hair today. Make sure they’re facing out, so they can see the world – otherwise they’re going to get claustrophobic in there. You want them to fit pretty tight. I used six.

Pour your reserved crumbs down in the middle of the Peeps. Then, put your brown sugar down in there too. You will use ¼ cup brown sugar. Pat it down just a bit to help stabilize the bunnies. “The bunny, the bunny, oh I ate the bunny. I didn’t eat my soup or my bread, just the bunny.”

Now, pour your M&Ms (about 1 cup) on top of the sugar. They should come pretty close to the top of the jar. If they don’t, add more. But for heaven’s sake don’t use them all. You have to have SOME fun after the kids go to sleep.

Ta da! Now, let’s just be serious. How cute is that? Your kids’ teachers are gonna be so impressed. They’ll nominate you for Parent of the Year.

You need to send a recipe with the jar. I mean, you could just sit down with a spoon and this jar and live a happy life. Here is what my recipe card said:

Empty jar into bowl. Cut bunnies into small pieces. Mix back into bowl. Melt 1 stick of butter. Add 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla. Pour into dry ingredients and mix well. Press into greased 9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Devour and hide from spouse.

This makes me want to go camping. It’s a really cute idea. I gave this to my mom from Annie. She’s using it for Easter decoration….but rest assured, they will get eaten. Can’t waste those M&Ms!