Oh, cool. This is easy enough for Ashley to make. She'll leave out the coconut, but I'm sure she'll have a great time making them.

Annie

Those sound good Sue. I like the idea of the toasted coconut. What do you think that they would be like without the cinnamon?

Ann

Maybe they could just be dusted with a little cocoa, like truffles?

Annie

I think the cinnamon is essential, but then sucker for all things cinnamon. They almost taste like very dense cinnamon donuts. I didn't even notice the cocoa and was surprised to see it listed as an ingredient.

These are lovely tasty little treats and would go nice on a tray with Oreo Truffles. mmmmmm

Sue

Sue,I buy these every year for St Patrick's day at my local Irish Specialty store (Little Shop of Shamrocks) They come 8 in a box and cost 7.50 I will certainly keep this recipe

I use to make candy using mashed potatoes. I don't remember the exact measurements but you use a spoonful of mashed pototes and enough powdered sugar that when mixed together it's not sticky and can be rolled out somewhat like clay. After rolling it out you spread peanut butter all over then roll it up as tight as you can and refrigerate for about an hour. Cut into whatever size pieces you want. It really is a good recipe and so-o-o easy.

Nonnie, to this day that is my son's favorite candy.

Oh I'm sorry I didn't see this before St. Pat's day. I've had them and they are a fun treat esp if you make them knobbly enough. I do believe that the ones I've had used a combo of cinnamon and cocao.

Roselin32, I was beginning to think I was the only one that made this candy. It really is good, right?

Nonnie, I used to make this back in the Dark Ages when I was a kid and then forgot about it for years until I was PM Supervisor at a Nursing Home and the kitchen staff invited me to their Christmas Party-one of the gals had made this and was absolutely thrilled to give me the recipe. I still make it for my son when he comes home and yes, it is great.
Killer sweet but hey! It IS candy, isn't it? LOL

Bringing this one back before the green holiday to see if anyone else has a t&t recipe that includes the taters. My workmate has invited me to a St Patty's day party and neither of us want coconut in the candy. My WM said she remembers her mother doing the potato one wiht powdered sugar but I'd like to hear from anyone else who has done this.

Maureen

Irish Potato Candy

Yield: 36 servings

1/2 cup Mashed potatoes
1/2 ts Vanilla
1 lb Sifted confectioners' sugar
2 Tbsp Ground cinnamon
1 ts ground cocoa

Combine mashed potatoes and vanilla. Adding one cup at a time to cool potato mixture, blend in enough onfectioners' sugar to form a stiff, nonsticky dough. Working with about 1 teaspoon of mixture for each candy, shape into small irregular spheres (like new potatoes) and set out on wax paper. Shake a few at at time, in a plastic bag with ground cinnamon and cocoa. Shake off excess cinnamon mixture. Store candies in cool place or refrigerate. Makes about 3 dozen

Per piece: 53 calories, 0.1 g fat, 1%CFF.
Recipe by: Katherine Seraphic/Pittsburgh P.G.

Source:rec.food.cooking, rec.food.recipes

Had to jump on the bandwagon here. I have never made this type of candy, but it sounds much like what I have had in the past. People around here make Easter eggs (I live near Lancaster, PA) using the mashed potato version. Sometimes they are with coconut, sometimes without, and sometimes made with peanut butter. Then they are dipped in chocolate, sometimes decorated once the chocolate shells are hardened. Never ate a bad one! Oh geez, now I have a hankerin' for these. The way I see it (in DEEP denial here), they don't have any calories...as long as you're not counting! Sweet dreams!
Emma in PA

Here's the way my grandmother used to make potato candy. Sometimes she'd sprinkle cinnamon-sugar on top of the peanut butter too.

POTATO CANDY (1 pound)

1 small potato
dash of salt
1 Tbs. butter
1 lb. 10X sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup peanut butter

Peel potato and quarter. Cook in water until soft. Drain. In a large bowl, mash potato with salt and butter. Add sugar, one third at a time, beating until smooth and well blended. Mix in the vanilla. If mixture is not stiff enough to roll, add more sugar.

Roll out between 2 sheets of wax paper until it is 1/8 inch thick. Spread with the peanut butter. Roll up like a jelly roll. Chill for an hour, then slice into ¼ inch pieces. Let ripen for a day.

Emma, my workmate is from Tamaqua where MY cousin lives. How's that for small world?!?!?

We have a woman here at our work complex that makes those easter eggs. Since these are for a St. Patrick's Day party, we want the ones that look like knarly little taters. Our Amish market had them last weekend ...$6.96 a lb for buttercream rolled in cinnamon. I think the hardest part is going to be making them look lumpy! Maureen