Irish Potato Candy is a yummy dessert that contrary to popular belief, has no actual potatoes in the recipe. This is a classic treat you’ve either grown up adoring or never heard of before. Either way, you are going to want to save this!
What Is Irish Potato Candy?
The reason this has the name it does is because they look like little potatoes. However, there are definitely not any potatoes here. Instead, this no-bake treats are full of cream cheese, sugar and coconut. Also contradictory to the recipe’s name, the origins don’t trace back to Ireland, but instead to Pennsylvania. (Weird, right?) Fun fact – this Irish potato candy is not even Irish! It originated in Philadelphia and has always been such a huge hit in that part of the country.
It’s common to see potato candy pop up around the month of March for St Patrick’s Day. If you’re looking for more delicious St. Patrick’s Day treats to celebrate with this year, check these out next: Irish Bread Pudding, Lucky Charms Cookies and Thumbprint Cookies.
Ingredients You Will Need:
The ingredients for Irish potato candy are simple! This is a great candy to make because you probably already have all of the ingredients at home. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Cream Cheese – make sure the cream cheese is softened.
- Butter – we use unsalted in this recipe, but salted is fine to use as well.
- Sugars – you will need both granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Coconut – the coconut adds such a nice flavor to the candy.
- Flavoring – Vanilla and cinnamon are adding in for flavoring.
How To Make Irish Potato Candy
Since this is a no-bake treat, it’s super easy to do and doesn’t take much time.
- Start by creaming together the softened cream cheese and butter. Make sure you’ve let them set out to room temperature or else you’ll just wind up with a big clump.
- Add in the vanilla next, then gradually the powdered sugar. When that’s mixed, fold in the shredded coconut and place the batter in the fridge for an hour.
- The next step, while that sits, is to stir together cinnamon and brown sugar.
- Then, scoop out the cream cheese mixture into small one inch balls and roll them into the sugar mixture.
How do you get cream cheese to room temperature?
One quick way is to cut the cheese into small cubes, place on a microwave safe plate and heat for 15 seconds.
Another easy way is to keep the cream cheese block in the wrapper and put it in a bowl with warm water.
Can You Freeze Irish Potato Candy?
Yes! You can store it in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to two months. If not frozen, you can keep these in the fridge to snack on for up to a week.
Other Easy Candy Recipes:
Irish Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 ½ cups shredded coconut
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese until combined and smooth.
- Beat in the vanilla until combined.
- Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until combined.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold in the shredded coconut.
- Cover with foil and place into the fridge for 1 hour.
- Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop out some of the mixture and roll it into a ball.
- Set onto the cookie sheet, repeat step until all of the mixture is rolled into a ball.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Coat each dough ball in the brown sugar mixture.
- Place onto a serving tray and continue the step until all balls have been coated
- Enjoy!
Last Step:
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6 comments on “Irish Potato Candy”
Best little things EVER.. couldnt stop eating them ❤️❣️❤️
Absolutely delicious!
I made these delicious Irish potatoes today, and I must say that this recipe was out of this world. I didn’t use potatoes I followed your recipe to the T. I will be making Irish potatoes for now on
We always made Irish Potato Candy for Christmas… out of potatoes… It’s easy and really yummy…
We used to make potato candy with mashed potatoes and powdered sugar, then added color and flavoring.
Yes abd they were so good. Never made them any other way.