Recipe: Irish Potato Candy with Mashed Potatoes

Jo Lynn -- There seem to be so many different ways to make it, I thought I'd post several in hopes that one looks like the one you remember. I sure hope so!

Irish Potato Candy #1

Boil 1 large potato with salt, then mash with 2 tablespoons of butter. When cooled, add 1 box powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until you are able to roll and not be sticky. Roll into 1 large package of coconut. Make into small balls and then roll in cinnamon.Irish Potato Candy #2

2 -- 1# boxes of powdered sugar
1/2 c. hot mashed potatoes, drained
1 small jar of crunchy peanut butter

Mix sifted sugar into potatoes a little at a time by hand. (Don't panic when the potatoes liquify as the first sugar is added. That is what it's supposed to to. Just keep adding sugar until it is pastry consistency.)

Sprinkle wax paper with additional powdered sugar. Take baseball-sized balls of mixture and roll out like pastry. Spread with peanut butter and roll like a jelly roll. Wrap rolls in plastic wrap; chill and slice. Makes 2 rolls. (My grandma made this candy and kept it in her icebox. Every Sunday afternoon, all 40 of us cousins would fight over who got the last piece.)Irish Potato Candy #3

1/2 c. warm mashed potatoes (nothing added)
1 t. vanilla
2-3# confectioners sugar
Ground cinnamon
Peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)

To the potatoes, gradually add vanilla, then sugar. It will make a liquid mixture at first. Keep adding sugar until mixture becomes thick enough to shape. Roll out flat onto sugared surface. Spread peanut butter on top (thin layer). Roll up as thick or thin as you prefer. Slice and serve.Irish Potato Candy #4

1/2 c. mashed potatoes
1/2 t. vanilla
2 T. cinnamon
1# sifted 10x (approx.)

Just how much 10X is needed depends on the moisture content of potatoes. Combine potatoes and vanilla, adding 1 cup at a time, blend in 10X to form stiff, non-sticky dough, working wtih 1 teaspoon of mixture for each candy. Shape into small irregular spheres (like new potatoes). Set on waxed paper to dry slightly before you coat them. Toss candies a few at a time in plastic bag with cinnamon. Shake off excess. Store in cool place or refrigerate. Makes 3 dozen.Irish Potato Candy #5

2/3 c. cold mashed potatoes
4 c. confectioners sugar
2 T. butter
1/2 t. salt
Vanilla flavoring
4 c. shredded coconut
Semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Mix potatoes and sugar; add butter, vanilla, salt and coconut. Blend well. Press mixture into ungreased baking dish (medium size) so that mixture is 1 inch thick. Chill until firm. Cut into squares and dip into chocolate or pour melted chocolate over mixture.