Irish Potato Candy is a delicious and easy to make treat for St. Patrick’s Day. They’re a no bake candy that’s made to look like small potatoes, but are actually made with coconut and cream cheese. This candy is coated in cinnamon, which gives it a warm and spicy flavor.
💗 Why We Love This Recipe
- Fun – because these look like little potatoes, they are a fun way to fool the kids on a holiday
- Tastes great – cream cheese and coconut coated in brown sugar and cinnamon makes a great combination
🛒 Ingredients to Make Irish Potato Candy
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut or coconut flakes
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
🥄 How to Make Irish Potato Candy
Irish Potato Candy Recipe
Step One: Combine Coconut Mixture
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla and beat until fluffy. You can also use a hand mixer. Mixing by hand is an option as long as the butter and cream cheese are fully softened.
- Stir in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and blend until smooth.
- Mix in the shredded coconut until combined.
- Refrigerate the coconut candy mixture for 30 minutes.
Step Two: Make Brown Sugar Mixture
- Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Step Three: Form Candy
- Once chilled, use a tablespoon to portion the coconut mixture into potatoes. Use your hands to form each tablespoon-sized amount of candy into oblong shapes like small potatoes and place on a baking sheet. Repeat until all the mixture is in the form of a potato.
- Roll each piece of hand-formed candy in the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture, making sure it’s fully coated and gives the appearance of a potato. Place back on baking sheet (line with parchment paper for easy clean up) until all candies are covered with the cinnamon coat.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
The result is a delicious and unique candy that is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that taste like a Mounds bar. Irish Potato Candy is a fun treat and an easy way to add some sweetness to your holiday and have fun because they look like actual potatoes.
What is Irish Potato Candy Made of?
Irish Potato Candy is a confection made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, sweetened shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Despite its name, it does not contain any potatoes.
What is the History of this St. Patrick’s Day Candy?
Irish Potato Candy has a long history in Irish-American culture. While it’s not actually Irish, it’s believed to have originated in Philadelphia in the early 20th century. Irish immigrants, who often worked in the city’s potato fields, would bring home potatoes at the end of the day. These potatoes were often used in cooking, but when times were tough, creative cooks found a way to make candy out of them.
Irish Potato Candy quickly became a popular treat among Irish-Americans. Today, it is still enjoyed as a traditional St. Patrick’s Day treat, and can be found in many Irish-American households.
There are many variations of Irish Potato Candy, with some recipes using mashed potatoes, cream cheese, and powdered sugar, while others use a peanut butter filling and coconut. However, the most traditional recipe calls for cream cheese and shredded coconut.
Tips and Suggestions
- Cookie scoop – to get even-sized candies you can use a small cookie scoop to get the candy mixture into little balls before forming into the potato shapes.
- Green food coloring – Add green food coloring to the mixture to make it more festive for St. Patrick’s Day.
- Flavors – You can also add other flavors to the mixture, such as almond extract or cocoa powder, to give the candy a different twist.
What is the Potato Candy Origin?
Some people also wonder Is Iriah potato candy really Irish? The origin of Irish Potato Candy is actually not Irish at all, despite its name. It is believed to have originated in Philadelphia in the early 20th century among Irish immigrants who worked in the city’s potato fields.
These immigrants would bring home potatoes at the end of the day, which were often used in cooking. However, during tough times, creative cooks found a way to turn them into candy using cream cheese and shredded coconut. The resulting candy quickly became popular among Irish-Americans and is still enjoyed today as a traditional St. Patrick’s Day treat.
Can You Freeze Irish Potato Candies?
Yes, you can freeze Irish Potato Candy. However, it’s important to store it properly to avoid any freezer burn. First, place the candy in an airtight container or freezer bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible.
Then, label the container with the date it was frozen. Irish Potato Candy can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Keep in mind that the texture of the candy may change slightly after freezing and thawing, but it should still be safe to eat.
In addition to being a delicious treat, Irish Potato Candy is also a fun activity to do with kids. Children love making the candy balls and rolling them in cinnamon. It’s a great way to get them involved in holiday celebrations and teach them about different cultures.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Potato Candy is a fun and delicious option. It’s easy to make, requires only a few ingredients, and is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Give it a try this year and add a little sweetness to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration!
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
- St. Patrick’s Day Cake Pops
- St. Patrick’s Day Mint Oreo Balls
- Lucky Charms Muddy Buddies
- St. Patrick’s Day Pudding Shots
- Rainbow Jello Shots
- Shamrock Shake
Irish Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 Tablespoons butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and beat until fluffy. A stand or hand mixer is ideal, however, mixing by hand is an option as long as the butter and cream cheese are fully softened.
- Stir in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and blend until smooth.
- Mix in the shredded coconut until evenly distributed.
- Refrigerate the coconut candy mixture for 30 minutes.
- Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Once chilled, use a tablespoon to portion the coconut mixture into “potatoes”. Use your hands to form each tablespoon-sized amount of candy into the shape of a potato— the shape is completely up to you!
- Roll each piece of hand-formed candy in the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture, making sure it’s fully coated and gives the appearance of a potato.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition
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