Thursday, March 12, 2009

Foodie Friday - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Friday everyone! We are all invited to an early St. Patrick's day bash at Gollum's house! Visit her at http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ to see what everyone is bringing this week. I am going to bring one of my favorite sweet treats, Irish Potato Candy, usually just called "Irish potatoes". I first had this delicious candy when we lived in Philadelphia. My husband and I had just gotten married and were flat broke, but we would allow ourselves a treat occasionally from one of the vendors at the Reading Terminal Market. These are usually only sold in the spring around St. Patricks day. I've never seen them anywhere else, but I think See's candy may sell a version. I found a recipe on the internet (thank goodness for Google!) that was as close as I've found. I have seen versions that call for Karo syrup, some that use actual potatoes and even some that call for peanut butter (?), but this one is the closest to the candy I remember from "way back when".
Very short ingredient list. Yes, this does call for an entire box of confectioner's sugar.

This is the gooey mess before you roll them in the cinnamon. And trust me on this, when it tells you to add the sugar at low speed, you really want to follow directions unless you enjoy looking like Casper the friendly ghost. Another helpful hint - be careful when grabbing things out of your spice cabinet - ground cumin looks a whole lot like ground cinnamon when you aren't wearing your glasses ! Luckily I caught myself before I made a disastrous mistake!
Look Gollum, I have a delirious kitchen lol!

The fruits of your labor. After the week I've had, I'll give you three guesses as to what I wish was in that lovely glass coffee mug! This really is a delicious treat, hope you enjoy it. Now dance a little jig on over to Gollum's place and see what other Irish delicacies await!



Irish Potato Candy
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces whole fat cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 ounces (one box) confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 cups sweetened coconut
Ground cinnamon, enough to completely coat the candy ( count on about 3/4 of a 1 oz container)

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese. Beat in the vanilla and then at low speed, the confectioners' sugar. Add the coconut and beat to thoroughly incorporate. Roll pinches of the mixture between hands to form balls (resembling tiny new potatoes). Roll balls in cinnamon to thoroughly coat and refrigerate until firm. Store refrigerated in an air tight container. The candy will keep for up to two weeks.

Yield: 30-36 pieces - I make mine a little larger

29 comments:

Martha said...

I would have thought "Irish Potato Candy" was made out of potatoes (for I've heard of it but never tasted it) -- imagine my surprise to find that it is called that because it LOOKS like potatoes!

I may try it sometime -- perhaps next St. Patrick's Day!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

I haven't had potato candy in many many years... but now I may try to make some! Thanks! Happy Foodie Friday!~ Susan

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Ohhh, Kat...I had heard of potato candy, but thought it was some sort of mashed potatoes converted into candy! Yikes! I am relieved to find out that it only LOOKS like potatoes!! lol I'll have to try these! Happy FF...hugs...Debbie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I've never heard of this, but it sure sounds good. I'll have to try it. Thanks for the recipe. laurie

xinex said...

This looks so good and I've never had it. I'm going to make it since dh loves coconut. Thanks for the recipe, Kathy!...Christine

Denise said...

Looks yummy! I've never seen it before, but I'll have to try it. Happy Early St.Patrick's to you!

Foley said...

I have never heard of Irish Potato Candy before - will be putting this in my recipe file. Debbie from Mountain Breaths was just blogging about her visit to the
Reading Terminal Market and said how wonderful it was!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh! Be still my racing pulse and pounding magpie heart! This looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of these and they are very unique. We have a See's Candies near us...I'll have to check them out. I loved the Casper comment.

Bo said...

Hi Kathy...you've got my sweet tooth aching for a bite of one of these right now! ;-) Bo

Dawn Marie said...

I"ve never heard of this and it sounds very good! I will have to try this.

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

I've never heard of this before. So neat to see something new!
~Michelle

Chandy said...

I've never heard of this goodie before. Thanks for sharing this yummy item today! Happy Friday!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Kathy...now girl I thought this candy had potatoes in it...see what I know and just found out something else to park in my memory bank...Happy Foodie Friday to you girl...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Kat, this looks so good and I'm sure it is yummy. I can't wait to try it. Cracks me up about the cumin, that really wouldn't be good. I will definitely wear my glasses. lol Hugs, Marty

Helen said...

I didn't know this existed .. but it's sweet and sweets are my weakness ... so I say WONDERFUL post today! Join me for grasshoppers later .......

jerseygirl211 said...

I do so much baking, but have never tried making candy. I'll have to try your Irish Potato Candy for sure, my 'Italian' husband has a sweet tooth. I'll just have to re-name them calling them ITALIAN POTATO CANDY. ;) lol

'D'

Rattlebridge Farm said...

I can't wait to try this. I'm not waiting till next St. Paddy's . This is fun!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Those little goodies look delish...and so cute! I'll have to try them. Linda

ellen b. said...

These look great and this is new to me. Thanks for the recipe!!

Vera said...

I have seen recipes for potato candy that called for mashed potatoes, but I have never made it. This looks good

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

looks like a true "sweet potato"! I've never seen these - look like they would be really good! (and really bad too!)

Kathysue said...

Kat, I have never heard of this before and I think I need to try it.It really is easy and sounds delicious. I love to hear about different food etc from different parts of the country, How fun! Hugs Kathysue

Silvia said...

they look really good, i might have to give it a try...silvia..

Unknown said...

Huh, I've never heard of those, but they sound and look yummy!

Lynette said...

Those look really yummy and easy - but all the recipes you post look yummy and easy!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day ~

Melissa Miller said...

Yummy!

I do love coconut candies.

I have not heard of this recipe and it sounds wonderful Kathy.

Happy St Patty's Day! :)

Anonymous said...

As my mom used to say,"well i never".I had never heard of such.ummmmm.I'll have to try these...Ann

Kathy said...

Irish Potato Candy sounds and looks delicious, Hope you had a wonderful St Patrick's Day, Kathy.