Looking for a sweet and playful treat to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? These Irish Potato Candies are the perfect bite-sized indulgence! They may not actually contain any potatoes, but they sure do pack a punch of sweet, creamy flavor, and are shaped like little potatoes for a fun twist. A combination of sweet coconut and smooth cream cheese, these candies are rolled in cinnamon to resemble the look of a potato, making them the cutest (and tastiest) treat for your St. Patrick’s Day festivities. They’re so simple to make, you might just find yourself making them year-round. Trust me, you’re going to love these little sweet potatoes!
Why You’ll Love Irish Potato Candy
Fun and Festive
These candies are so cute, with their potato shape and cinnamon coating, they’re a perfect match for St. Patrick’s Day. You’ll love handing them out to friends, family, or even coworkers.
Simple to Make
With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delicious candies in no time! No complicated steps—just mix, shape, and roll in cinnamon. Easy as can be.
Creamy and Sweet
The combination of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and coconut creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Once you bite into these, you’ll be hooked.
Perfect for Sharing
These little candies are the perfect portion size for sharing with friends, or for adding to your St. Patrick’s Day dessert spread. They also make a thoughtful homemade gift for anyone who loves a sweet treat.
Ingredients
For the Candies:
- Cream Cheese: Gives these candies a smooth, creamy base that binds everything together.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps with the texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the mixture and helps form the candy’s texture.
- Shredded Coconut: Adds texture and a tropical sweetness that makes the candy pop.
- Vanilla Extract: A hint of vanilla adds a lovely, warm flavor to balance the sweetness.
For Rolling:
- Ground Cinnamon: This is what gives the candies their “potato” look. It adds a wonderful, warm spice to the overall flavor.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Prepare the Candy Mixture:
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. Mix them together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add Coconut and Vanilla: Stir in the shredded coconut and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. The mixture should be thick and sticky, but moldable.
- Shape the Candies: Using your hands, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it into a small ball. Once all the mixture is rolled into balls, gently shape them into little potato-like forms (slightly oval or oblong).
Roll in Cinnamon:
- Coat with Cinnamon: Pour ground cinnamon into a small bowl. Roll each shaped candy in the cinnamon until it’s fully coated, giving it that perfect “potato” look. You can also sprinkle a little extra cinnamon over the candies for a bit more of a rustic appearance.
Chill and Serve:
- Chill the Candies: Place the coated candies on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up. This will make them easier to handle and enjoy.
- Serve: Once chilled and firm, the candies are ready to be served! Arrange them in a festive dish or gift box for a fun St. Patrick’s Day treat.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 15
Calories per serving: 150
Fat per serving: 9g
Carbs per serving: 18g
Protein per serving: 1g
Sugar per serving: 14g
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
How to Serve Irish Potato Candy
As a St. Patrick’s Day Treat:
These candies are the perfect addition to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Serve them at a party or with your festive meal as a sweet dessert.
As a Homemade Gift:
Pack these sweet treats in a cute box or jar and give them to friends, family, or coworkers for a fun and thoughtful St. Patrick’s Day gift.
With a Cup of Tea:
These candies pair perfectly with a warm cup of Irish tea or a hot chocolate for a cozy treat any time of day.
Additional Tips
Customize the Coating:
While cinnamon is traditional, you can get creative with the coating. Try rolling the candies in cocoa powder, crushed graham crackers, or even colorful sprinkles for a fun twist.
Make Them Ahead of Time:
You can make these candies ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a week. They’re great for prepping the night before your St. Patrick’s Day festivities!
Substitute Coconut:
If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can substitute it with powdered dried milk or ground nuts like pecans or almonds for a different texture and flavor.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use a different coating besides cinnamon?
A1: Absolutely! While cinnamon gives these candies a perfect “potato” look, you can use cocoa powder, crushed graham crackers, or even colorful sprinkles for a fun twist.
Q2: Can I make these candies without cream cheese?
A2: You could try using a different creamy spread or soft cheese as a base, like mascarpone or ricotta, but it may alter the texture and flavor slightly.
Q3: Can I freeze these candies?
A3: Yes! You can freeze the candies for up to a month. Just make sure they’re stored in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Thaw them in the fridge before serving.
Q4: How do I store leftover candies?
A4: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They will stay fresh and creamy.
Q5: Can I add chocolate to these candies?
A5: Definitely! You can mix mini chocolate chips into the candy mixture, or dip the finished candies in chocolate for a chocolatey coating.
Q6: Can I make these candies gluten-free?
A6: Yes! These candies are naturally gluten-free, so feel free to enjoy them without worrying about gluten.
Q7: How do I make the candies less sweet?
A7: You can reduce the powdered sugar slightly to cut down on sweetness, or add more coconut for a less sugary taste.
Q8: Are these candies nut-free?
A8: Yes, these candies are nut-free unless you choose to add nuts in the mixture or as a coating. Just make sure to avoid any nut allergens if you’re serving them to others.
Q9: Can I use a different type of sugar?
A9: You can substitute powdered sugar with an alternative, like coconut sugar or stevia, but it may affect the texture and taste slightly.
Q10: How long do these candies keep in the fridge?
A10: These candies will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week when stored in an airtight container.
Conclusion
These Irish Potato Candies are a fun and tasty way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your loved ones. Easy to make and full of creamy, coconutty goodness, they’re the perfect treat to share with family and friends. Whether you’re adding them to your dessert spread or gifting them as a homemade treat, these little candies will be the hit of your celebration!
Print
Irish Potato Candy for St. Patrick’s Day
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 20–25 pieces 1x
Description
These Irish Potato Candies are a fun and sweet treat for St. Patrick’s Day! Despite the name, there are no actual potatoes in this candy. Made with creamy coconut and a hint of cinnamon, these little “potatoes” are coated in a dusting of cinnamon sugar to give them the appearance of real potatoes. Perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holiday, they are easy to make and always a hit!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon (for flavor)
- 3 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 cups Sweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon (for rolling)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture:
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until smooth and well-combined.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Coconut:
- Gradually add the powdered sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, mixing well after each addition.
- Once the powdered sugar is fully incorporated, stir in the shredded coconut until the mixture comes together into a dough-like consistency.
- Shape the Candies:
- Take small portions of the coconut mixture and roll them into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Then, gently shape each ball into an oval or potato shape with your hands. (You can also use a melon baller to help create uniform shapes.)
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar:
- In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Roll each coconut “potato” in the cinnamon sugar mixture until it is fully coated.
- Chill and Set:
- Place the candies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up.
- Serve:
- Once chilled and set, the Irish Potato Candies are ready to be served! They make for a great treat to share at St. Patrick’s Day parties or give as a festive gift!
Notes
- You can adjust the cinnamon to your taste by adding more or less to the mixture and rolling sugar.
- If you prefer, you can roll the candies in crushed graham crackers or even add a few chocolate chips to the center for a different flavor.
- These candies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no baking required)
- Category: Candy, St. Patrick’s Day Treats, No-Bake Desserts
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg