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.

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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