This candy originated in Philadelphia where this confection is a favorite there and the candy sells over hundreds of pounds around the St. Patrick's Day holiday.
Inside this sweet treat is a delicious creamy cream cheese coconut filling rolled in cinnamon much like a coconut truffle.
Major candy chains started to make this in the area and are also popular in San Francisco made by the "Sees Candy Factory".
The candies became so popular that now several local supermarkets like "Oh Ryans" in the Philadelphia area continue to sell the candy all year long.
This basic candy recipe is not cooked it does require refrigeration as he has butter and a cream cheese base.
I make two styles one rolled in cinnamon like the original recipe I split the recipe in half and roll them in an unsweetened cocoa powder which is my personal favorite.
The candy reminds me very much of an old-fashioned bonbon from the early 1960s and it was love for me at first bite.
I love easy candy recipes like Easy Chocolate Fudge done in a few minutes on the stovetop or No-Bake Buckeye Bars that just require melt chocolate those are two other family favorite candies.
If you follow some traditional foods for St. Patrick's Day you may also like to try our delicious assortment of recipes.
Just scroll down the recipe card for these easy printable recipe card at the end of this post and if you're in a hurry hit print for easy viewing.
No-Cook Candy
What can be easier than making candy and no cooking is involved?
This super easy confection turns out to be a wonderful yummy candy everyone thinks took all day to make and every coconut lover will ask for the recipe.
A few pantry ingredients will have you well on your way to make this in no time.
This recipe is step by step if you have never had these candies stroll through the photos and see how simple it is to make.
Shopping List for Irish Potato Candy
Scroll all the way to the bottom for exact measurements on the recipe card
- cream cheese softened
- softened butter (do not use margarine)
- coconut (made fine and put through a food processor)
- vanilla
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- cinnamon powder
Tool You Will Need:
- Cookie sheet
- Wax paper
- Small melon ball scooper
- Plates
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Hand mixer
- Bowls
- Storage containers with covers
- Food processor
Tips:
- Bring the cream cheese and butter to room temperature soften only do not melt it
- Only use full-fat cream cheese and real butter not margarine
- The melon ball scooper will make them uniformly the same size or you can roll them by hand
- Finely chopping the coconut resulted in a better-textured candy however you can leave it just shredded if you prefer
- This candy can be dipped in melted chocolate
- Refrigerate after making
- I split this in half to roll in cocoa powder and cinnamon to make two kinds or you can mix cocoa and cinnamon together for another flavor
Other Suggestions:
- Dip in melted white or milk chocolate
- Roll in colorful sprinkles
- Roll in crushed cookie crumbs
- Roll in mini chocolate chips
- Roll in any kinds of crushed nuts
- Add almond extract in place of vanilla, or other flavors you like
Mixing and Storing
- Since this is so thick it's much easier if you use a hand mixer to blend the butter and cream cheese
- The powdered sugar needs to go in slowly so it doesn't go all over the place at a lower speed.
- If your hand mixer goes too fast it surely will create a mess, stir the sugar in with a heavy wooden spoon by hand
- The easiest way to get the coconut a fine consistency is to put it through the food processor
- It is very easy to roll these by hand into marble-sized balls however I find it easier to use a melon ball scooper
- The candy will keep fresh and delicious for up to 1 week and needs to be stored covered in the refrigerator
- This candy can be frozen uncoated on cookie sheets and stored in bags without the coating on the outside
- Thaw first in the refrigerator if frozen and roll into cinnamon or the cocoa powder
- Store in airtight containers
Other Candy You May Like To Try
Salted Caramel Toffee BitesOreo Truffles
Peanut Butter Krispies Eggs
Rum Balls
Buckeye Bars
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Easy Recipe
The recipe is super simple with just a few ingredients.
It's perfect for parties and anyone who has a sweet tooth.
If you don't have some of the equipment stated in the recipe, just do this all by hand and make sure you use a heavy spoon to whisk all ingredients together evenly.
Cinnamon or Cocoa Covered Irish Potato Candy
Yield: 35
Prep time: 13 MCook time: Total time: 13 M
These are much like a bonbon and a no-cook candy treat. There is no potato in this recipe although it's in the name of these. The candy is a coconut confection found and famous in Philadephia and a favorite for all coconut candy lovers. The original recipe rolls these in cinnamon and I also roll them in cocoa powder for those who are cinnamon fans. Either way, these are addicting and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup softened butter (do not use margarine)
- 2 1/4 cups coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Garnish to roll them in:
- cinnamon powder
- optional: unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions:
How to cook Cinnamon or Cocoa Covered Irish Potato Candy
- Place the coconut in a food processor on high until the flakes are a fine consistency usually around 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a heavy-duty mixer add the vanilla, softened butter, and cream cheese whipping on medium speed until well combined around 1 minute.
- Slowly add the 4 cups of powdered sugar and then the coconut.
- Using a small melon ball scooper make balls and place them on wax paper.
- I refrigerate these to dry them out a little for around 35 minutes.
- Place cinnamon on one plate (and another one for the cocoa powder if using).
- Roll the balls in cinnamon which is the original Irish Potato Candy method or if you're not big on cinnamon, just roll them in unsweetened cocoa powder.
- I usually roll mine twice if the candy starts to absorb the powder and white shows through.
- After you have coated them completely, place them back in the refrigerator however these are ready to eat immediately.
- These will keep up to 1 week in a covered container.
Calories
100
100
Fat (grams)
2
2
Sat. Fat (grams)
1
1
Carbs (grams)
22
22
Sugar (grams)
22
22
Protein (grams)
0
0
Sodium (milligrams)
15
15
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