Description
Irish Potato Candy is a delightful no-bake treat that looks like miniature potatoes but tastes like a sweet, creamy coconut candy. Made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, and rolled in cinnamon to mimic the look of tiny potatoes, this candy is a perfect festive treat especially popular around St. Patrick’s Day.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the base mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. This ensures a soft, even base for your candy.
- Add flavoring: Add the vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until fully combined, infusing the mixture with a subtle vanilla aroma.
- Incorporate powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar into the bowl, mixing on low speed to avoid dust clouds and until the sugar is completely blended into the mixture.
- Mix in shredded coconut: Stir the sweetened shredded coconut into the batter until it is evenly distributed, adding texture and sweetness to the candy.
- Shape candies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into small, potato-shaped balls about 1 inch in size. This shaping mimics the appearance of real potatoes.
- Coat with cinnamon: Roll each shaped candy thoroughly in ground cinnamon until fully coated. This coating gives the candies their characteristic ‘potato’ look.
- Chill before serving: Place the coated candies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and develop the flavors.
Notes
- These candies are not made with real potatoes—the name comes solely from their potato-like appearance.
- You can store Irish Potato Candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks without losing freshness.
- For variety, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or substituting cocoa powder for cinnamon to create a different ‘dirt’ effect on the candy surface.
