Irish Potatoes, A Candy Recipe (2024)

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St. Patrick’s Day is coming soon and when I see that, I think green, Irish potatoes candy, and corned beef. There are a number of people in my circle whose ears perk up when they hear Irish Potatoes. Good thing because this recipe makes significantly more than what comes in those little white and green boxes.

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What are they?

Despite the name, Irish potatoes candy does not come from Ireland and they don’t have any potato in them. They get the name because the shape and color look a lot like potatoes – creamy white interior with a dirty brown exterior.

If they don’t have potatoes what’s in them?

They are a no bake, no cook confection that is traditionally made with sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and coconut. This mixture is then rolled into a lumpy “somewhat circle” and then rolled in ground cinnamon to give it the final coating.

If they aren’t traditionally from Ireland then where do they come from?

Irish potato candies are actually a staple St. Patrick’s Day treat that hales from Philadelphia, PA. The exact origins are a little unclear but they seem to have become popular in Irish neighborhoods and grown from there. The most popular brand is OhRyan’s, who reportedly sells over 80,000 pounds a year. You may also see Irish Potatoes with a See’s Candy label, but they are a different confection all together. We’re keeping it simple and original. You can buy them online*, but why do that when you can make them so inexpensively and easily at home?

How should I store them?

Because they are made with a mixture that includes cream cheese you should store them in the refrigerator. They can keep up to a couple weeks but I dare you to try keeping them that long. They are so good, they won’t last. Plus, they taste better fresh.

Can I half-size this recipe?

Yes. This is a super easy recipe to cut in half or double, or whatever you want to do. Note that you may not be able to cut the amount of cinnamon in half but you can easily start with less cinnamon and add more as needed.

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Irish Potatoes Candy

Irish Potatoes, A Candy Recipe (2)

Print Recipe

A sweet no bake candy that is easy to make and a staple St. Patrick’s Day treat that comes from Philadelphia, PA.

  • Author: Heather McCurdy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 36 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Scale

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 5 cups sweetened flake coconut
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Cream together butter and cream cheese until well mixed.
  2. Mix in vanilla.
  3. Add powdered sugar, 1/2 at a time.
  4. Mix until forms a ball or is just mixed. Don’t keep creaming it after it is incorporated.
  5. Use a spoon of spatula and fold in coconut.
  6. Put cinnamon in small bowl.
  7. Shape coconut mixture into roughly shaped 1 inch balls.
  8. Roll in cinnamon.
  9. Place on parchment paper covered cookie sheet.
  10. Chill.
  11. Keep refrigerated.
  12. Makes approximately 24 Irish potatoes.

Originally published March 3, 2014Irish Potatoes, A Candy Recipe (3)

Heather McCurdy

Heather McCurdy writes at Real: The Kitchen and Beyond where she shows families how to slow down and savor life on any budget with tasty homemade recipes and family travel.

  1. Pingback: Corned Beef and Cabbage Rolls

  2. I love some potatoes, but I think I’d love these even more!

    Reply

    1. The ingredients mention nothing about cream cheese or butter… am I missing something? I’ve read through it 3 times.. but… only one cup of coffee today. :/

      Reply

      1. Oh my goodness. I don’t know what happened! It WAS there. It must have dropped out when I switched my recipes over to a new recipe system.. I will get that put back in there.

        Reply

    2. I’ve been making theses for 4 years now and I make them with only 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar and 10 people asked for the recipe. They all said they were not too sweet as most are

      Reply

      1. I’m glad to hear you found a recipe that works for you. How do you keep them from being too sticky and maintaining the right consistency so they stay together?

        Reply

  3. These ALWAYS remind me of my Grammy, they were her favorite. These ar so fun to make and even better to eat. Yours looks scrumptious!

    Reply

  4. Pingback: 6 St. Patrick's Day Recipes to Celebrate

  5. Pingback: Chocolate Mint Beer Float | Real: The Kitchen and Beyond

  6. Gorgeous and Yummy! One of my favorite treats:)

    Reply

    1. Thank you.

      Reply

  7. Pingback: Pinterest Foodie Link-up 29

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Irish Potatoes, A Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Irish potato candy made of? ›

Irish potato candies may look like adorable little potatoes, but they're no-cook coconut and cream cheese candies with a coating of ground cinnamon — essentially the coconut equivalent of chocolate truffles.

Is Irish potatoes a philly thing? ›

Irish potatoes are a Philadelphia tradition, one that's more than a century old. In the weeks leading up to St. Patrick's Day, the cinnamon-coated, coconut cream spheres pop up in area candy stores, gift shops, and supermarkets.

Does potato candy need to be refrigerated? ›

Potato candy does not require baking and is instead refrigerated in order to fully harden the candy, though it can stay at room temperature following the refrigeration process. Most sources indicate that the potato candy has a shelf life of roughly one to two weeks.

Which is better Irish potatoes or sweet potatoes? ›

In terms of micronutrients, boiled sweet potatoes come out on top in terms of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorus while the regular potato wins when it comes to potassium, Vitamin B1 and folic acid.

What is the origin of the Irish potato candy? ›

Its roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when Irish immigrants in Philadelphia sought to celebrate their heritage in the United States. As they faced economic challenges, these immigrants adapted traditional Irish recipes to suit the ingredients available to them in their new homeland.

What does Irish potato contain? ›

Carbohydrates: About 26 grams. Dietary Fiber: Roughly 2 grams. Vitamin C: Over 20% of the recommended daily intake. Vitamin B6: Around 10% of the recommended daily intake.

Who invented potato candy? ›

What is potato candy? Potato candy came to the U.S., somewhere around the turn of the century, reportedly from Germany. It arrived in recipe form – possibly memorized rather than written – with immigrants. The candy consisted of two main ingredients: potato and sugar.

What is Irish potato called in America? ›

Solanum tuberosum (Irish Potato, Irish Potatoes, Pomme de Terre, Potato, Potatoes, White Potato, White Potatoes) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.

What is the English name for Irish potatoes? ›

1 Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum, Ipomoea batatas) Solanum tuberosum, commonly known as white potato or Irish potato, is considered the most important noncereal crop worldwide, and among all crops, it represents the 4th most produced, only behind wheat, corn, and rice.

Why is my potato candy runny? ›

If your potatoes are still warm when you add them to your mixture, there's a good chance they'll melt your butter and your sugar, resulting in a watery dough that you'll have to toss out. Add more sugar as needed.

Where is potato candy popular? ›

Potato candy is a food icon across Appalachia. It became popular during the Great Depression because it was cheap and easy to make.

What candy is made from potatoes? ›

This potato candy is super easy to make with mashed potatoes, powdered sugar, and peanut butter for a sweet old-fashioned treat! This old-fashioned peanut butter potato candy recipe is sweet, nostalgic, and super easy to make.

Why are Irish potatoes so good? ›

Ireland has rather cool summers and somewhat mild winters. Potatoes are native to South America, and North America is connected, so there are many natural predators and diseases in the Americas. Overall, it is easier to grow potatoes in Ireland or the Andes than in the US,and they will likely be of better quality.

How healthy is Irish potato? ›

Irish potatoes are a good source of soluble fibre, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease. Also, the potato's fibre, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 content, coupled with its lack of cholesterol, all support heart health.

What is the most popular Irish potato? ›

Maris Piper

This variety is one of the most popular varieties grown in the UK but also popular in Ireland. It has white skin and white flesh and is a high dry matter potato. Maris Piper potatoes originated in Ireland from grower John Clarke in 1963.

What is traditional Irish candy? ›

Woppa bars (a spearmint chew bar, like a spearmint flavour roy of the rovers bar) Ritchie's milky mints (chewy sweets like nearly hard toffees but milk white and minty as hell,) Toffos (chewy sweets made of various flavour toffee, original, mint, and liquorice are the ones I remember)

What are sweet potato balls made of? ›

If you never tried Taiwanese Deep Fried Sweet Potato Balls before, it is crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. All you need is THREE simple ingredients, Yam, Sweet Potato Flour, and sugar; THAT'S IT! What is this? A Gluten-Free dessert that you need to try!

Why did the Irish only eat potatoes? ›

Why were potatoes so important to Ireland? The potato plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy to grow in Irish soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland's population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet, and the other half ate potatoes frequently.

Is Irish potato sweet potato? ›

Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes are two different types of potatoes. In Nigerian meat pie, Irish potatoes are used as a filling ingredient, while sweet potatoes are not commonly used. Irish potatoes, also known as white potatoes, are starchy potatoes with a white-colored flesh.

References

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