Old Fashioned Potato Candy (2024)

Published: October 16, 2017Updated: December 12, 2023Author: Amy

This old fashioned Potato Candy is a classic sweet treat made with only 4 ingredients and doesn’t require any baking. It’s a must at holiday time!

Old Fashioned Potato Candy Recipe

I was at a friend’s house last week and she set out some leftover Potato Candy she had made for a baby shower she hosted. There were only a few pieces remaining…and I coveted them all.

This confection is made up of powdered sugar, mashed potatoes, and nut butter. Mashed potatoes mixed with powdered sugar? Like…what? I know it sounds weird, but you can’t taste the potato at all; it’s used more as a binder here.

Potato Candy is such a sweet and rich nostalgic treat. If this is your first year trying some, it won’t be your last. It makes a great addition to any holiday dessert tray!

What is Potato Candy?

Rumor has it that this potato candy recipe originated in Germany and then brought to the United States. There’s also debate over it being Irish, Russian, and Pennsylvania Dutch.

What we do know is that it became popular during the Great Depression, when people needed to be frugal, making use of ingredients that were widely available and really inexpensive. Makes sense now that I think about it – they used potatoes in everything. Why not put it to use in a dessert, too. Depressed people need sweets more than anyone!

Even though the Depression era was temporary (thank goodness), this recipe lives on for eternity, because it’s sweet, easy to make, and irresistible!

How To Make Potato Candy

Here’s a quick overview of how to make potato candy.
(Scroll down to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and don’t miss the video below.)

1. Cook the potatoes. Cook the potato until tender, drain and transfer to a bowl; mash until smooth and lump-free (a ricer is ideal for this!) You’ll need a 1/2 cup mashed. Allow to cool slightly, but still warm.
2. Combine with powdered sugar and vanilla. In a extra large bowl, combine cooked potato and 2 cups of the powdered sugar until blended (at this point it will be very loose.) Stir in the vanilla. Continue to add 1 cup of the powdered sugar at a time until the mixture forms a putty-like dough. (Use a handheld electric mixer if stirring with a wooden spoon gets too difficult.)
3. Shape the dough. Shape the dough into a mound, then transfer onto an 18×12 sheet of wax paper sprinkled with powdered sugar; sprinkle the top with a little powdered sugar. Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangular shape, about 1/4-inch thick; trim to form straight edges.
4. Spread with nut butter. Spread an even layer of nut butter over the surface of the candy. Slowly roll the candy from one long edge to another. Wrap with the wax paper, cut in half.
5. Chill and slice. Place in a resealable plastic bag and chill until firm, about an hour. Slice rolled potato candy into 3/4-inch thick pieces and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

You want to stay true to the powdered sugar and potatoes, but as far as the filling, there are many options! You can use…

• Any nut butter (peanut butter, sunflower butter, almond butter, etc.)
• Cookie butter (my kids favorite!)
• Nutella

Tips for Success

• It’s very sweet! This treat is super sweet and rich, so a little goes a long way.
• Do no use granulated sugar. This candy must be made with powdered sugar for the right consistency and texture.
• The amount of powdered sugar matters. This recipe is incredibly easy, but it requires you to pay attention to how much powdered sugar you are adding. 6 cups might be enough, or you might need 7. Just stop adding it once a putty-like texture is achieved. You don’t want it so stiff that it cracks as you roll into a log, but you don’t want it sticky.
• Work quickly. This dough does dry fairly fast, so work quickly.
• Don’t waste the excess dough you trim off! Roll back into a ball (before it dries out) and pinch off small amounts; form into balls and coat with cocoa powder.

Video: Potato Candy

Proper Storage

Leftover potato candy can be stored up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

More Holiday Candies:

• Polar Bear Paws
• Gingerbread Truffles
• Rum Balls
• Turtles Candy
• Saltine Cracker Toffee

Ihope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!