Description
A delightful no-bake Irish potato candy that’s perfect for festive occasions. This creamy, sweet treat combines cream cheese, butter, coconut, and cinnamon for a unique candy shaped to resemble small potatoes. Easy to prepare and chill, these candies offer a nostalgic and charming addition to your holiday sweets.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (Room temperature)
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (Room temperature)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (Can substitute with almond extract)
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
Sweeteners & Coatings
- 2 cups Confectioners’ Sugar (Essential for texture)
- 1 cup Sweetened Coconut Flakes (Can use unsweetened)
- 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon (For coating)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and ensure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Butter: In a mixing bowl, blend the room temperature cream cheese, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Sugar and Coconut: Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and sweetened coconut flakes to the creamy mixture. Mix thoroughly until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency that holds together well.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. This chilling step firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and shape.
- Shape Candies: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and scoop tablespoon-sized portions. Roll each portion between your hands to form small balls resembling potatoes.
- Coat with Cinnamon: Roll each ball generously in ground cinnamon to coat all sides. Use your fingers to create small dimples on the surface to mimic the texture of real potatoes.
- Firm Up: If the candies soften during shaping or coating, place them back in the refrigerator to firm up before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Using room temperature cream cheese and butter is crucial for smooth mixing.
- Confectioners’ sugar is key to achieving the right texture; do not substitute with granulated sugar.
- Sweetened coconut flakes add sweetness and texture but can be replaced with unsweetened if preferred.
- Vanilla extract can be swapped with almond extract for a different flavor profile.
- Chilling the dough is important for ease of shaping; do not skip this step.
- Store the candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
