Peeps And America’s Love Affair With The Squishy Chicks

America loves their Peeps.

If you actually celebrate Easter by shoveling down packages of Peeps, you're probably not too worried about nutrition But do know that Red Dye #3 is used in Peeps - and in about 3000 other food items as well. I can't imagine anything good can come from Peeps passing through your digestive system, with or without Red Dye #3.

The Mike and Carla Morning Show talked about the beloved Peeps. And by the way - Red Dye #3 is allowed by the FDA in small amounts.

If you have a thing for these fluorescent squishy marshmallow bunny and chick Peeps that were hatched over 60 years ago, you’re not alone. Peeps is the number one non-chocolate Easter candy. How, I will never understand!

And people definitely have their peeps preferences. Some like them nice and soft, others like to leave them out, to age to perfection and get a little crunch on the outside.

They’ve been microwaved (careful, cause they expand and explode, and can make a big mess in your microwave), frozen, roasted, used in hot chocolate, and added to recipes. In case you actually want some Peeps recipes, check these out.

Each Easter season, Americans buy more than 700 million Marshmallow Peeps shaped like chicks, bunnies, and eggs. As many as 4.2 million Marshmallow Peeps shaped like chicks, bunnies and other shapes can be made each day.

Back in 1953, it took 27 hours to create one Marshmallow Peep, now it takes six minutes. Yellow Peeps are the most popular, followed by pink, lavender, blue, and white. About 5.5 million Peeps are made every day. In one year, enough Peeps are made to circle the globe twice.

The town where they're made does a New Year's Eve Peep drop.  The Peeps factory is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and on New Year's Eve, they drop a giant 400-pound Peep chick at midnight instead of a ball.

Quite a history to those mushy marshmallow chicks than meets the eye.

Here are some other fun facts about Peeps:

1. They're called "Peeps" because "Sugary Stucco" didn't test well.

2. The best time to eat them is Easter.  The worst time is - always.

3. They're a great way to tell your child, "We don't love you quite  enough to spring for a Cadbury Egg, or chocolate bunny."

4. The nutrition panel on the package just says "Yeah, right..."

5. For some men, Peeps are as close as they'll ever get to being around chicks.

6. The fact kids love them is the best proof yet that their frontal lobes take longer to develop.

7. Even people who like Necco Wafers look at them and gag a little.

I will never like Peeps - not even a little bit. But you enjoy yours. Happy Easter!

The annual Cadbury Bunny auditions are over, and a new top rabbit has been crowned!

For the first time, a special feline won the contest, which makes history as "Crash" is the first kitty to serve as the iconic Cadbury Bunny.

Crash, an 8-year-old orange and white, one-eyed rescue cat from Boise, Idaho, earned the honor after receiving "an impressive number of votes" from animal lovers across the country, according to Cadbury. As the winner of the tryouts, Crash will receive $5,000 for himself and a shelter of his choice as well as a starring role in Cadbury's famous Clucking Bunny commercial.

Crash was rescued following a "devastating car accident" that left him severely injured and with one eye. He was placed in a local shelter to recover from the incident and quickly won over the hearts of the staff with "his quirky, outgoing personality," eventually becoming a full-time resident shelter cat.

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"We are jumping with joy to hear Crash is the next Cadbury Bunny but not surprised, as he is always the center of attention in any room," Crash's owner, Maddie Corey, said in a statement. "He's been through so much over the past few years, and we appreciate the love his friends, family, and cat enthusiasts across the country have shown."

He charmed shelter guests by performing tricks like his high five, which Cadbury noted would be "purrfect preparation" for his role in the upcoming Cadbury Clucking Bunny commercial, which debuted March 25.

"We can't wait to see Crash take center stage for this year's Cadbury Clucking Bunny Commercial and share his story with the world," Corey said.

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