I recall colored sugar-coated marshmallow animals from childhood Easter baskets, but we didn't call them "Peeps". It may have said "Peeps" on the package, but the name wasn't yet part of popular culture. That came much later, courtesy of intense marketing.

By the way, we were never allowed to eat Easter candies before Easter Day. I get the impression that people nowadays start shoveling cubic yards of Peeps into their mouths as soon as they go on sale for Easter. So much for delayed gratification.