This old-fashioned Potato Candy is a recipe that our Great-Grandmothers use to make! Don’t let the mashed potatoes in this potato candy scare you off, it’s quite delicious!
This post is sponsored by Wada Farms.
You’re either really intrigued by this recipe or at some point in your life you have enjoyed potato candy. Regardless, it’s pretty simple to make. All you need is mashed potatoes, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, butter and creamy peanut butter! That’s it.
Now while mashed potatoes obviously aren’t at the forefront of your mind when you think of candy, the mashed potatoes is the base of combining all the ingredients together. Mashed potatoes become sweetened with the powdered sugar and a silky smooth consistency. You actually won’t even know that this dessert recipe is made with mashed potatoes!
Can I Use Crunchy Peanut Butter?
I have made this recipe countless times and I’ve never used crunchy peanut butter. Traditionally, the recipe is a smooth textured candy. If you try it with crunchy peanut butter, be sure to come back and let us know how it went!
Can I Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes?
You can’t use leftover mashed potatoes. They are already seasoned with seasonings, milk and butter. The consistency will not firm up.
However, if you are making homemade mashed potatoes, after you’ve boiled the potatoes, you can remove half a cup and set aside. Ensure that the potatoes have drained, have dried thoroughly and cool before using. You don’t want any extra liquid within the potatoes themself.
Why are my potatoes watery?
You don’t want to boil the potatoes like you would mashed potatoes for this recipe. By doing so you are adding water to the potatoes. To ensure this recipe works properly, I recommend baking the potato in the microwave to not add any water to the recipe.
If you have watery potatoes, there’s no fixing the recipe and you need to start over.
Can I Use Unsalted Butter?
Absolutely! You’ll want to add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt as well.
Recipe Tips
I’ve made this recipe several times over the past few years as my family asks for it and well I’m the cook in the family! Here’s a few tips:
- Ensure that the potatoes have cooled completely. You don’t want to refrigerate the mashed potatoes as they will dry out.
- You may need additional powdered sugar than what the recipe calls for. You’re looking for a consistency that isn’t sticky and you can work with.
- Powdered sugar is your friend within this potato candy recipe, trust me! Place powdered sugar on your working surface, rolling pin and on top of the potato candy as it makes the dough so much easier to work with.
What candy is made from potatoes?
Potato candy of course! When we decided to re-create this recipe for our readers, as it’s seemingly not a popular one, we quickly realized that friends on the Eastern half of the country have either heard of it or have enjoyed it!
Where did potato candy come from?
After doing some research, the potato candy reportedly started in Germany. Essentially, this recipe is potatoes and powdered sugar.
Does potato candy need to be refrigerated?
While there is no baking for potato candy, it does need to be refrigerated in order for the dough to harden. Once the dough has been hardened, you can store the potato candy at room temperature, out of direct sunlight for up to a week.
What’s the difference between Potato Candy and Irish Potato Candy?
Irish potato candy is shared like a potato and is dusted with cocoa powder. It also doesn’t have any peanut butter.
What kind of potato is best to use for a potato candy recipe?
You want to use a russet potato as it stands up well compared to a gold or red potato that is quite softer.
Ingredients Needed for Potato Candy Recipe
- mashed potatoes
- vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
- butter
- creamy peanut butter
Recipe Tip
To get a nice even, clean cut, wipe the knife off with a towel in between each cut!
How To Make Potato Candy
Start by washing your potatoes. Pierce the potato with a fork and place in the microwave for about 7 minutes, halfway through, flip the potato over. You want a fork tender potato! If the potato isn’t quite ready, continue to microwave for 1 minute at a time until it’s fork tender. Remove the potato from the skin and let it cool completely.
Place the cooled mashed potatoes in a large bowl. Add the butter and mix until smooth.
Add in the vanilla and combine.
Next, slowly add in the powdered sugar. . We suggest adding one cup at a time and mixing in between. You essentially want the consistency of the dough to be like cookie dough that can be rolled out. You should be able to mold it together with your fingers.
On a flat working surface, dust it generously with powdered sugar. Place the potato mixture down and sprinkle the top of the dough with more powdered sugar. Knead it just a few times to bring the dough together. Split the dough in half.
Roll each ball of dough out until it’s about 1/4″ thick and a rectangle shape. Place the peanut butter on top of the dough in an even layer, leaving about a 1/4″ border.
Start with the long side, roll the dough tightly. Place in a piece of plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to firm up.
Cut into 1/4″ to 1/2″ pieces and serve!
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
- Copycat Crumbl Lemon Blackberry Cookie – these cookies are out of this world, they are a must try!
- Apple Pie Tacos – tacos and apple pie come together in just minutes.
- Fresh Blueberry Galette Recipe – warm from the oven this is a showstopper dessert that’s super simple to recreate in your own kitchen!
- Oatmeal Raspberry Cookies – these are addicting! I bet you can’t eat just one!
Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 1/2 c mashed potatoes room temperature
- 2 tbsp salted butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6-8 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 c creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Start by washing your potatoes. Pierce the potato with a fork and place in the microwave for about 7 minutes, halfway through, flip the potato over. You want a fork tender potato! If the potato isn’t quite ready, continue to microwave for 1 minute at a time until it’s fork tender. Remove the potato from the skin and allow to cool completely.
- Place the cooled mashed potatoes in a large bowl. Add the butter and mix until smooth.
- Add in the vanilla and combine.
- Next, slowly add in the powdered sugar. I typically do about one cup at a time and full mix between each addition. You essentially want the consistency of the dough to be like cookie dough that can be rolled out. You should be able to mold it together with your fingers.
- On a flat working surface, dust it generously with powdered sugar. Place the potato mixture down and sprinkle the top of the dough with more powdered sugar.
- Roll the dough out until it’s about 1/4″ thick and a rectangle shape.
- Place the peanut butter on top of the dough in an even layer, leaving about a 1/4″ border.
- Start with the long side, roll the dough tightly. Place in a piece of plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to firm up.
- Cut into 1/4″ to 1/2″ pieces.
Video
Notes
- Ensure that the mashed potatoes have cooled completely. You don’t want to refrigerate the mashed potatoes as they will dry out.
- You may need additional powdered sugar than what the recipe calls for. You’re looking for a consistency that isn’t sticky and you can work with.
- Powdered sugar is your friend within this potato candy recipe, trust me! Place powdered sugar on your working surface, rolling pin and on top of the potato candy as it makes the dough so much easier to work with.
- To get a nice even clean cut, wipe the knife off with a towel in between each cut!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Why We Love Wada Farms
Wada Farms is a premier example of 80 years of family-owned farming that has grown tremendously because of hard work and tireless dedication. Established in 1943, Wada Farms began farming potatoes on 160 acres in Pingree, Idaho.
Today, Wada Farms has grown to become one of the nation’s largest suppliers of fresh potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes. When you see that Wada Farms logo, you know you are eating the best!
