Friday, March 16, 2018

Irish Potatoes - Coconut/Cream Cheese Candy

Want a super simple treat that's a big hit for St. Patrick's Day? How about a cream cheese and coconut candy called Irish Potatoes! I've been making these for years and remember buying them as a kid. You can find these little confections everywhere from supermarkets to gas stations around Philadelphia for the holiday. They're called potatoes because they get rolled in cinnamon (traditionally) or cocoa powder and kinda resemble potatoes.
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Irish Potatoes - half batch in italics
1/4 C butter, softened - 2 Tblsp 
4 oz cream cheese, softened - 2 oz
1 tsp vanilla - 1/2 tsp
16 oz powdered sugar - 1 1/2 C + 1/4 C + 1/8 C... um, 1 1/2 C is plenty sweet!
*7 oz coconut - 1 1/4 C
Cinnamon and/or cocoa powder for rolling (approx 2 Tblsp, start with less, you can always add more)
  1. With mixer, cream butter and cream cheese well.
  2. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, mix well-start out s-l-o-w:@)
  3. *Add coconut, mix well.
  4. Chill for an hour, roll into 3/4"-ish balls and roll in cinnamon and/or cocoa.
  5. Place on wax paper/parchment/silicone lined cookie sheet and chill one hour.
  6. Store in airtight container in fridge.
Notes:
  • Recipe easily halved or doubled, one batch as written will make about 60 potatoes.
  • *I do suggest measuring the coconut and then running it through the food processor or chopping it with a knife. This helps break up the long strings.
  • Vary the size of the potatoes a bit. It's visually more appealing and folks that just want a taste, or are on a diet will be able to enjoy them too.
  • I mixed mine at night, covered them and put in fridge, then rolled them in the morning.
  • This is another messy, sticky, great project to do with the kids.
  • If they get too sticky to roll, put mixture back in fridge to firm up.
  • You'll find that these are very rich, a little goes a long way!
  • PS-Just so the pic/size isn't deceiving, this little Fenton dish is actually a saucer for a tea cup.

Don't forget to wear your green and have a happy day:@)

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Handmade Monday

44 comments:

  1. those are amazing!

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  2. Yum. I've gotta get away from this post. All the ingredients are near at hand in my kitchen.....

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  3. I think I could eat a whole plate of those potatoes! You got me on coconut!

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  4. YUM! Glad I decided to look a little closer at this post!!! Can't wait to try these!

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  5. Oh, gosh, those looks delicious. I haven't seen those in years. Yum. gotta make some.

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  6. OMYGOSH...and I have all the ingredients in my kitchen. ummmmmmm

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  7. Wow, these look and sound delish! Thanks for sharing ~

    Pat

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  8. My first visit to your blog. Such sweet ideas!

    I've seen similar candies for sale at Sees Candies but yours look much nicer. The recipe doesn't seem too difficult. I think I'll try it! Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Blessings,

    Gina

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  9. Looks really good, Lynn!..Christine

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  10. How interesting are these. I've never heard of these. Fun for St. Pat's day.

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  11. Never heard of them but they sure look good!

    - The Tablescaper

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  12. These are great treats for St. Paddy's Day!! My big and little kids love 'em!!

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  13. They sell something like this at See's -- only they are shaped like a potato. I would like to try these. Joni

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  14. If I am going to have bad carbs - like potatoes - I am going to pick these kinds of potatoes. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

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  15. Hi Lynn,
    this recipe is new for me but sounds really great. I will give them a try. We roll Marzipan in Cinnamon and sugar and call that Marzipan potatoes. But yours are much calorie lighter, I guess. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
    best greetings, Johanna

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  16. These look delicious. Easy ingredients, directions and by the looks of them just plain yummy. I always wear my green!!!!

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  17. These are very similar to the Martha Washington's that we dip in chocolate. I know my kids will love these..and I love the fact that I don't have to dip anything!

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  18. I never heard of or saw these treats..yum..i can tell by the picture and ingredients they are yummy...and easy too...thank you very much!!

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  19. These sound so yummy and served on that cute Fenton saucer...I'm in! hugs, Linda

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  20. Wow Lynn, this is not a good recipe to read right before summer beach season! All I can think of is a butterball and they sound sooooo good! I love anything with cream cheese. Linda

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  21. Who would have thought these were candies? Terrific and they look pretty easy to make which makes them all the better.

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  22. that looks like a fabulous St. Patty's Day tradition to start. Mmm. Thanks for sharing at our Link It Up Thursday party.

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  23. Those look yummy, as do all your recipes that you share. Anyone who wants to lose weight needs to shy away from here, lol. I also wanted to let you know that back in January for my daughter's baby shower I made the colored deviled eggs (all blue) and got a lot of compliments on on how pretty they were. Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful recipes and tips.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  24. Fantastic! We made these last year and everyone loved them! Fun!

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  25. Would you beliee I never heard of these? They sounds so tasty--I love cinnamon!

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  26. They do look like spuds! They do sound more fun to eat though :)

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  27. How cool is that? I thought they were potatoes at first! I'd love to try the candy.

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  28. How fun are these - you always come up with something good, whether it's food or something else!

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  29. Lynn~ I've seen these but never had them! I'm a fan of spuds of any kind :)

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  30. Delicious! Just like a little potato. Have a great weekend! :)

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  31. This is the same recipe I make!!! Love these little critters. Thank you so much for stopping by 21 Rosemary Lane and leaving such a lovely comment. You look pretty ready yourself for the 17th. And I love your header and the name of your blog...too cute!

    Have a great weekend!

    PS following you now!

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  32. Hi Lynn,
    What an awesome little treat for St. Patrick's Day. I am going to make these our crew will just love them. Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Happy St. Patrick's Day and Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  33. Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  34. Hi there!
    I'd love it if you'd stop by and link this up at Themed Baker's Sunday. The theme this week is St. Patty's Day treats!
    Hope to see you there!
    Cupcake Apothecary
    http://cupcakeapothecary.blogspot.com/2012/03/themed-bakers-sunday-27.html

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  35. That's so cute! I love the idea of "faux potatoes" for St. Patty's! :)

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  36. Oh these sound fun and yummy. Going to have to make these for the kiddos (and me). Thanks so much for sharing this! I am pinning and tweeting it. :)

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  37. What a cute idea! It should make for fun cooking activities grandparents and grandkids - I've added it to my list of sites to see for St Patricks Day at SandwichINK, along with your cute cupcakes. :) Thanks for sharing the fun!

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  38. Just finished these! Yum!

    Thanks for the tip about "processing" the coconut 1st. One thing that I didn't like about homemade Irish Potatoes was the long strings of coconut. Not anymore!!! I used a mini processor & the coconut came out nice & small. Thanks! :)

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  39. Never heard of these before, but they look delicious :)

    Happy St Patrick's Day from N Ireland.

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  40. I want one with my cup of Irish tea, Lynn! Happy St. Paddy's Day to you!

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  41. I've never heard of these! What a fun idea and delicious :)

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  42. We loved featuring your awesome post on Full Plate Thursday, 580. Thanks so much for sharing with us and come back to see us soon!
    Miz Helen

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Thank you for stopping by-enjoy your day!