Scrumptious Irish Potatoes Candy Recipe for Sweet Delight
Hey there foodies! Today, I’m excited to share with you a recipe for a classic candy that’s perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day – Irish Potatoes! These bite-sized treats may be called “potatoes,” but there’s not an ounce of spud in sight. Instead, they’re made with creamy cream cheese, sweet coconut, and powdered sugar.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: Irish Potatoes? How can a candy look like a potato? But trust me when I say that these little candies look just like the real thing, thanks to a coating of cinnamon and coconut that gives them that delightful “dirt”-covered appearance.
But it’s not just their appearance that makes Irish Potatoes so beloved – it’s also their delicious taste. With hints of vanilla and cinnamon, each bite is sweet and satisfying. Plus, they’re so easy to make! With just a handful of ingredients and a little bit of elbow grease, you’ll have a batch of these delectable candies ready to go in no time.
So whether you’re celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day or just looking for a sweet treat to bake up this weekend, give this recipe for Irish Potatoes a try. Trust me – your taste buds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a unique and delicious treat to whip up for St. Patrick’s Day or any other occasion? If so, Irish Potatoes candy is just what you need! It’s the perfect festive dessert that looks like little potatoes but tastes like a delicious combination of cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and cinnamon-coated coconut.
This recipe is not only super easy to make but also incredibly versatile. You can even swap out some of the ingredients to create your own unique twist on this classic treat. Plus, it’s a bake-free dessert that takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Better yet, if you have dairy-free guests, you can still create mouth-watering Irish Potatoes candy by substituting the regular cream cheese and butter with their dairy-free alternatives. Don’t let anyone miss out on these bite-sized treats!
So what are you waiting for? This old-fashioned candy has been loved for generations because of its unique look and delicious taste. With such minimal ingredients and easy preparation steps, they couldn’t be simpler to make. Once you try it once, it is guaranteed that you will crave ’em every time you have a sweet tooth or celebrate any occasion!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious and addictive Irish Potatoes candy:
For the Candy
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
For Coating the Candy
- 1/2 cup ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup canned coconut cream
All of these items can be easily found at your local grocery store. If you can’t find canned coconut cream, you can use regular canned coconut milk and just spoon off the thick cream on top. Also, feel free to experiment with dairy-free substitutes if needed.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we’ve covered how great Irish Potatoes candy is, let’s get started with the recipe. First, gather all of your ingredients together.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 cups flaked coconut
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
- In a large bowl, beat together the mashed potatoes and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Slowly add confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. The mixture will become thick and difficult to stir.
- Fold in the flaked coconut and mix until it is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Roll the dough into small balls approximately one inch in diameter.
- In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and confectioners’ sugar together.
- Coat each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Refrigerate for about an hour to set.
And there you have it – your own homemade Irish Potatoes candy! These bite-sized treats are perfect for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration or for whenever you’re in need of a sweet treat.
Note: This recipe can easily be customized to add other flavors or textures such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips to create a variation of Irish Potatoes candy.
Substitutions and Variations
Now, let’s talk about substitutions and variations for our Irish Potatoes candy recipe. If you want to give a twist to the traditional recipe, you can try some of these alternative ingredients to create your unique version of this sweet treat.
Firstly, for a dairy-free option, swap the cream cheese for vegan cream cheese or coconut cream. It will give the candy a different flavor profile and a slight tropical touch from the coconut cream.
To make it more chocolatey, you can roll them into unsweetened cocoa powder or replace some of the powdered sugar with cocoa powder. If you’re feeling extra decadent, mix in some melted chocolate into the candy mixture before rolling them.
For those who don’t like coconut, don’t worry! You can substitute flaked coconut with shredded white chocolate or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts. These nutty variations add a pleasant crunchy texture that matches well with the creamy filling.
If you’re looking for a seasonal variation, try adding spices like pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg instead of cinnamon. Also, adding pumpkin puree and orange zest turns this recipe into an ideal fall-themed treat!
Lastly, we haven’t forgotten our peanut butter fans out there! For a mashed potato peanut butter candy recipe, replace the cinnamon with 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter while mixing in the rest of the ingredients. You’ll get a fantastic combination of creamy peanut butter and slightly tangy cream cheese flavor that is irresistible.
Remember to choose your desired variation ingredient wisely as some substitutions may change the texture or taste of the original recipe. Have fun experimenting with different options and create an unforgettable bite-sized Irish Potatoes candy bake dessert!
Serving and Pairing
Alright, so you’ve made your delicious Irish Potato candies and now it’s time to serve them up! These bite-sized candies are perfect for sharing with friends and family as a sweet treat during special occasions like St. Patrick’s Day or as a delightful dessert after a family meal.
When it comes to serving these little potatoes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, presentation is key! These treats may be delicious on their own, but they’re even better if you make them look like little authentic Irish potatoes. You can do this by rolling them in cinnamon and coating them with shredded coconut or by using ground cinnamon to make it look like the skin of a potato.
Aside from their irresistible taste and cute appearance, these candies also pair well with other desserts and baked goods. Think about pairing them with a warm apple pie or a rich chocolate cake. Additionally, you may add some dairy-free whipped cream for an extra special touch.
If you’re serving these candies at a party or gathering, you can use festive platters and place them alongside other treats such as cookies, cakes or a beautiful fruit salad. They’ll surely be the talk of the event!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving and pairing these delicious Irish Potato candies. So get creative in the kitchen and impress your fellow foodies with this unique and tasty candy recipe!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Oh, Ryan! You can easily make these delicious Irish Potatoes candy ahead of time and store them for days until you can share them with your loved ones or indulge in a few bites on your own.
To make ahead, allow the candy to cool completely after baking, then place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to five days. If you prefer to store them in the fridge, make sure to put them in an airtight container as well to avoid absorbing any smells.
To reheat, use the microwave or oven methods. For the microwave method, place one Irish Potato candy on a microwave-safe plate and warm it up for 10-15 seconds, or until it’s soft enough to take a bite. For the oven method, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, transfer the Irish potato candies to an oven-safe dish and bake for 5-10 minutes until they are heated through.
If you want to keep these treats dairy-free or vegan-friendly, use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives like coconut oil or vegan butter.
Remember that baked desserts tend to last longer than other types of desserts because they have less moisture content. However, if you notice any discoloration or change in texture or smell, discard them immediately.
Now that you know how easy is it to store and reheat these sweet little potatoes let’s gather all ingredients from our recipe and make some Irish Potato Candy! Are you ready? Let’s hop into action!
Tips for Perfect Results
Are you ready to take your Irish potato candy recipe to the next level? Here are some tips that can guarantee perfect results every time.
1. Use room temperature cream cheese and butter
When making the cream cheese mixture, it’s important to use ingredients that are at room temperature. This will ensure a smooth and creamy texture, making it easier to mix with other ingredients like powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
2. Don’t overwork the mixture
One of the most common mistakes when making Irish potato candy is overworking the mixture. Once all of the ingredients are combined, mix them just enough to create a smooth consistency, but be sure not to over-mix. Overworking can cause the mixture to become too sticky, which can make it hard to form bite-sized balls.
3. Chill the mixture before shaping
After mixing all of the ingredients together, chill the mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before rolling it into bite-sized balls. This will help firm up the mixture and make it easier to handle.
4. Get creative with coatings
While traditional Irish potato candy is coated with cinnamon and coconut, don’t be afraid to get creative with your coatings. Some great options include chopped nuts, sprinkles or even melted chocolate.
5. Store properly
Irish potato candy will stay fresh for up to one week if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. However, be sure not to store with other foods as they can absorb flavors.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to achieve perfect results every time you make Irish potato candy.
FAQ
Before we wrap up this delicious Irish Potatoes candy recipe article, let’s go through some frequently asked questions to ensure you have all the information you need to create a perfect batch of Irish Potatoes candies! From substitutions to storing and reheating tips, we’ve got you covered. So, read on and let’s address everything you might be wondering about this delicious yet straightforward candy recipe.
What is Irish potato candy made of?
Irish potato candy is a sweet treat that looks like tiny potatoes. It is a mixture of soft butter, cream cheese, confectioner’s powdered sugar, shredded coconut and vanilla, that is rolled in cinnamon to give it its realistic appearance.
Why is the candy called Irish potato?
The origins of Irish potato candy can be linked back to early Irish immigrants who migrated to America at the country’s inception. Even William Penn, who converted to Quakerism, had Irish ancestry and is believed to have been influenced by the Irish culture.
What are the ingredients in Oh Ryan’s Irish potatoes?
For this particular recipe, you’ll need a list of delicious ingredients such as granulated sugar, coconut without any added sodium metabisulfite, corn syrup, butter made from dairy, tapioca starch (Binosol-15), egg whites, invert sugar (Maxinvert), coconut and vanilla flavoring, citric acid, and cinnamon to give that extra touch of flavor.
Are Irish potatoes a philly thing?
For more than 100 years, Philadelphia has enjoyed a St. Patrick’s Day treat known as Irish potatoes. These delightful coconut cream, cinnamon-covered spheres can be found in various stores across the area leading up to this festive holiday.
Bottom Line
And there you have it, folks! The delicious and easy-to-make Irish Potato Candy recipe, perfect for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration or any day you feel like indulging in a sweet treat.
As a chef specializing in British cuisine, I can assure you that this recipe perfectly captures the essence of traditional Irish potato candy with its heavenly combination of cream cheese, butter, coconut cream, and ground cinnamon. The result is a mouthwatering bite-sized candy that will have your taste buds dancing with delight.
Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list – substitutions and variations are available if needed to suit your preferences. Plus, this sweet treat can be made ahead of time and stored easily. And trust me, these candies won’t last long once your friends and family get a taste!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your apron and whip up a batch of this old-fashioned candy made from the humble potato. You won’t regret it.
Irish Potatoes (candy) Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 dash salt
- 1/4 lb butter, softened
- 6 ounces flaked coconut
- 2 -3 tablespoons milk
- 2 lbs confectioners' sugar
- ground cinnamon
- ziploc bag
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, and butter. Mix in salt and vanilla.
- Add coconut and gradually add milk until is in rolling consistency.
- Form into balls.
- Put a small amount of cinnamon in the plastic bag and put 2 or 3 balls into the bag.
- Close the bag and shake a few times, make sure that he balls get covered with cinnamon. Add more cinnamon to the bag if needed.
- Take them out of the bag and add 2 ot 3 more, and repeat by shaking the bag until all the balls are done.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.