There are a few unique foods my family makes every holiday without fail. One of these goodies is momma’s old fashioned potato candy. Do not doubt me when I say it is one of the most surprising and decadent little candies out there. Who in their right mind makes candy out of potatoes? I could take a wild guess here (and possibly do some research), but all I know is we make candy out of potatoes and we like it.
The ingredient list is unpretentious. To make 100 pieces of candy use 1 large potato, 4 pounds of confectioners’ sugar, and a cup of your favorite smooth peanut butter. I say 4 pounds of sugar because the same thing happens to me every year. The hand scribbled recipe calls for 2 pounds and it is never enough. You want the consistency of play-doh and a little extra sugar to roll out the dough with. Buy extra! You won’t use the entire 4 pounds, but you will come close.
I added semi-sweet chocolate to melt and drizzle on top which is not in the original recipe (but it should be). I also used my trusty stand mixer to make the dough. If you want a work out, do it like grandma and use your hands!
Simple. Cheap. Amazing.
Ingredients:
1 large potato, peeled, diced, boiled
4 pounds confectioners’ sugar (trust me)
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted over a double boiler
Directions:
Place the cooled mashed potato in the stand mixer. On slow speed, add the sugar in stages until it has the consistency of play-doh (the amount of sugar will vary depending on humidity and the size of the potato). The dough should be stiff but not dry.
Sprinkle a handful of confectioners’ sugar on a clean surface and on the rolling pin. Roll out the dough in to a rough rectangle until it is ¼ inch thick. Spread the top of the dough with a very thin, even layer of peanut butter. Roll the dough from one end to the other making one long log of candy. Roll up the candy in wax paper in chill for one hour. When chilled, cut in to ¼ thick pieces. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and dollop on candy.
Wrap each piece in wax paper or serve on a platter.
Cook’s note: You can also add a thin layer of chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer so it is inside the candy. I have done it this way before as well. Either way, it tastes great!
They look and sound really delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good.
ReplyDeleteWow... what a totally cool treat! A potato turned into dessert, I am amazed. I bet they are delicious with all the peanut butter and sugar. YUM! Thank you for giving me a new recipe to try. :)
ReplyDeleteI've made potato candy but it was just balls dipped in chocolate. I love the addition of pb...and the pinwheel effect! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy Gramma would give us a tin of these each year to take home after the holidays, and it was her most closely guarded secret! That was (waay!) before the Internet when you could search for strange things like this and get recipe results. The secret was only revealed when someone else offered us a similar treat ...and they were more generous with their recipes ;-) Their's used instant potato flakes! I think Gramma believed the kids would not continue to adore them (and feel so special) if we discovered she made several pounds of these in 20 minutes for 40 cents ...they were so magically delicious all packed in a decorative tin with wax paper! Still an awesome gift. Anyway you heard it here first ;-) now go surf "potato candy" - PopZ
ReplyDeleteWow, what a unique treat, I am really curious to try these out. These are really pretty and love the chocolate drizzled on top.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering when you would bring this candy out, the chocolate drizzle is a nice touch. It has been awhile but I definitely have not forgotten how delicious these slices are. Great post and great memories with this classic candy!
ReplyDeleteHehehe - in Ireland we made highly alcoholic poitin out of potatoes (at school!) We probably would have been better employed making these unusual candies - then at least we could have sampled the goods. Definitely making room for these on the Xmas candy platter.
ReplyDeleteNever would have contemplated making candy out of ptoatoes. With that said, it looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat might just be the craziest thing I've ever heard! But I'd bet it's delicious!
ReplyDeleteWow I've never seen anything like this before! I'm def intrigued now. Great recipe!
ReplyDeleteAre these made from potatoes? WOW I'm stunned!! I'm a big potato fan yet I've never seen anything like this. I'm literally dropped my jaw! Thank you for introducing the great potato recipe!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. So frapping awesome. Whoever came up with this idea is awesome. POTATOES ARE AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteGreat candy :)
What an interesting candy. Who knew potatoes could make yummy treats!
ReplyDeletePotato candy is big around these parts too - I love it!
ReplyDeletei am so thrilled by your photos! gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! I adore treasured, vintage recipes! What a great post! Thanks SO much for sharing and I bet they are amazing!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, potatoes and candies, sure its so tempting by looking at the pics but we sure have loads of potatoes and we simply love it anyway its done.
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine the texture of the potato and sugar. These sound different and neat! I have a bag of potatoes (which I never have in my house) for Christmas day. Im hoping for an extra now!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try these! Lol, they look just like my vegan spirals! I'm sure they are delicious!
ReplyDeleteYour momma was amazing - I love potato chips, I love potatoes actually and I love love love sweet things - I think this is just perfect for me :)
ReplyDeleteChoc Chip Uru