Creamy Irish Potato Candy Recipe Easy Homemade Philadelphia-Style Treat
A nostalgic Philadelphia-style candy featuring a creamy blend of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, coconut, and vanilla, dusted with cinnamon to look like tiny potatoes. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any sweet occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: About 40 candies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Irish-American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (80 grams) shredded coconut, finely shredded
- Ground cinnamon, for dusting
Instructions
- Soften the cream cheese and unsalted butter by leaving them out of the fridge for about 30 minutes until soft but not melted.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed for about 2 minutes until creamy and smooth with no lumps.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix for another 30 seconds until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Scrape down the bowl sides after each addition. Continue mixing for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is thick but pliable.
- Gently fold in 1 cup of finely shredded coconut using a spatula.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pinch off small amounts of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch (2.5 cm) potato-shaped ovals. If the mixture is sticky, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping.
- Lightly roll each candy in ground cinnamon to coat, giving them the classic potato look.
- Place the candies on the tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up before serving.
Notes
If the mixture is too soft or sticky, add more powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time. Properly soften cream cheese and butter for smooth mixing. Chill shaped candies for at least 1 hour before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for up to two months. Variations include chocolate dusting, nut additions, vegan substitutions, and mint flavoring.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy (approximate
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 40
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: Irish potato candy, Philadelphia candy, creamy candy, coconut candy, St. Patrick's Day treat, homemade candy, vanilla coconut candy