When Aunt Kate introduced me to this delicacy of ancestors who
came to America from Ireland, I immediately went to get the bag of potatoes to
help me with them. She not only laughed at me but then went on to explain that they
don’t actually have potatoes in the finished candy. That’s when she explained
that unless you were from the Philadelphia area you’d never heard of this candy
before. She was right, hadn’t been to Philly before this time and I became curious
as to the recipe. She then explained that the history of Irish potato candy is
deeply intertwined with the immigration of Irish Catholics who landed in Philly
in the 1800s as indentured servants. It was during the Irish famine, in the
mid-1800s that Philadelphia became a haven for Catholic immigrants who often
found work as indentured servants in local taverns and restaurants. Philadelphia
was already known as America’s candy capital—with numerous factories where
these delightful treats first emerged. Each spring, these delightful treats are
devoured by millions! Curiously named
“potato candy,” they contain no actual potatoes. The goal is to make them
resemble real spuds, measuring about 1.5 inches long perfect for two bites!
Buttercream vs Cream Cheese
These delightful treats are typically crafted with sweetened
cream cheese and coconut, topped off with a sprinkle of cinnamon. You face an
important choice: stick to creamy goodness or opt for buttercream? While
commercial varieties last longer, they lack authentic taste. Embrace
genuine cream cheese; your taste buds will thank you!
Storage
Because these treats are made with cream cheese and butter,
it’s best to refrigerate them if there is any left after you make them. They
will stay in the fridge in an airtight container for about two weeks. But if
you start to see them drying out, it’s time to discard them and make more.
Irish Potato Candy
Yield: 36 candies
Ingredients
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup of butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups of powdered sugar
2 1/2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut
2 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
Using a mixer on medium speed, combine the softened cream
cheese, softened butter, and vanilla until smooth, periodically scrape the
sides of the bowl (about 3-4 minutes)
Turn the mixer off and add part of the powdered sugar to the
butter and cream cheese mixture. Using the mixer at a low speed (Place a
kitchen towel over the mixture to avoid the sugar going everywhere), beat the
ingredients. Add the remaining powdered sugar in batches, mixing after each
addition and scraping the sides of the bowl until mixed well (about 3-5
minutes). The texture will be like thick buttercream icing.
At medium speed, mix coconut into the mixture until well
combined (about 1 minute).
Mold candy mixture into potato-shaped logs about 1.5 inches
long (roughly 1 tbsp of mix). Place candy on wax paper-lined baking sheet and
refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Place ground cinnamon in a bowl or shallow dish. Remove
candy from the refrigerator and roll pieces in cinnamon until thoroughly
coated.
Return cinnamon-covered candy to the baking sheet and refrigerate
for another 30 minutes.
Candy can be stored in an airtight container in the
refrigerator for a week. This is great
for St. Patrick’s Day or Easter gatherings.
Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty
years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content
sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix
University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber
Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s
in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently
studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes
coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime.
Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare
time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels.
As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career,
Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using
history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs that range from
art to life coaching, to food, to writing, Gardening, and opinion or history
pieces each week.
Irish Fare, Potpourri of Frugality. Kilbride
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