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

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  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? ›

The candies have a coconut cream inside (generally made from some blend of coconut, confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and cream or cream cheese) and are rolled in cinnamon on the outside, resulting in an appearance reminiscent of small potatoes.

Are Irish potatoes a philly thing? ›

Irish potatoes are a Philadelphia tradition, one that's more than a century old.

What did the Irish eat with their potatoes? ›

Champ and Colcannon

Recipes for champ, a potato dish made with mashed potatoes and scallions softened in butter and milk, and colcannon, mashed potatoes with curly kale or green cabbage were also collected by the National Folklore Commission.

What is the most popular candy in Ireland? ›

Ireland's Top 5 Confectionery Brands
  • 1 Cadbury Dairy Milk. Cadbury has been making chocolate in Ireland since 1932, when the first Cadbury factory opened in Dublin, with Cadbury Dairy Milk production starting the following year, in 1933. ...
  • 2 Lindt. ...
  • 3 Kinder. ...
  • 4 Haribo. ...
  • 5 M&M's.
Feb 9, 2023

Does potato candy have 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.

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 story behind Irish Potatoes? ›

Potatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of South America. We call them Irish potatoes because the potato was first brought back to Europe in the 1500's and developed as a crop there. The Irish immigrants brought the culture of potato to the United States.

What do the Irish call their potatoes? ›

The Irish language is very descriptive the common word for potato in Irish is práta (pl. prátaí), hence the origin of Praties for Potatoes, There are literally 50 Irish words and descriptive phrases relating to the potato.

Why do the Irish eat so many 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.

What fruit is native to Ireland? ›

Summer Berries: Wild strawberry, raspberry, bilberry, Autumn Sweetness: Rosehips, Elderberries, Hawthorn berries, Hazelnuts. Winter Wonders: Wintercress, Crow garlic, Wood sorrel. Edible Seaweeds: Sea spaghetti, Dulse, Sea lettuce, Serrated wrack and Velvet horn.

Should I peel Irish potatoes? ›

Since Irish potato skins are rich in fibre, they are beneficial in facilitating digestion. “Potato skins add dietary fibre to the potato which aid in constipation, colon cancer and weight loss,” says Mpiima.

Why do you put baking soda in potatoes? ›

I love it when cooking involves a bit of a science experiment. In this case, research suggested adding baking soda to the pot when parboiling potatoes; having water of higher alkalinity than usual helps the outside edges of the potatoes break down more, opening up the possibility of a crisper outside texture.

Can you fry Irish potatoes? ›

Cooking Instructions

Drain the potatoes in a colander. Dry potatoes thoroughly with a tea cloth or paper towel. Heat the oil to 320 F/160 C in a deep-fat fryer or large, deep saucepan. Fry the chips a few handfuls at a time in the fat for about 3 minutes.

What does an Irish potato contain? ›

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 did the Irish Lumper potato taste like? ›

It tastes mid-way between the waxy varieties such as Jersey Royals and the more floury potatoes like the King Edward.

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!

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.

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