This no-bake potato candy with a wonderful salty-sweet combination is an old fashioned recipe that's been passed down for generations. It combines only three ingredients: one mashed potato, powdered sugar, and a layer of peanut butter.
The dough is then rolled into a log and cut like pinwheels.
This recipe works great with leftover mashed potatoes, but you can use instant mashed potatoes or baked potato as well. In my book, desserts that I don't have to bake are the best kind, and the fact that this peanut butter potato candy only uses a few ingredients is just a bonus.
NOTE: this candy, although pretty tasty and gluten-free, is super-rich. There's a fair amount of powdered sugar mixed in with one potato. A little goes a long way!
POTATO CANDY ORIGIN
There's very little documentation on the history of this dessert but many claim it as an old family recipe from their great grandparents of Irish descent. It makes sense as potato was Ireland's main crop for centuries and poor farmer's meager livelihood.
Some say it's German and others, however, claim this recipe originated in the South during the Great Depression. There's probably some truth in all of this. The addition of peanut butter is definitely American.
Melted chocolate with chopped nuts is another option for the filling. I made a roll with Nutella but quite frankly, it was too sweet even for my super sweet tooth.
Another variation is to add desiccated coconut into the dough. You can color the dough with green food coloring for St. Patrick's Day candy, which also works for Christmas, as well as does the red color.
HOW TO MAKE IT?
Potato acts as a binder, holding the candy ingredients together, but no worries - you can't actually taste the potato. It takes just a few simple steps to make this old-school candy.
- Boil potato until well done, drain, and mash it with a fork or potato masher. Cool.
- Start adding the powdered sugar. The mixture will be runny at first; keep adding sugar till you get a smooth dough consistency.
- Roll the dough out on a rectangle, spread with peanut butter, and roll up, jelly-roll style. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze.
- Unwrap and slice into ½-inch pieces.
Enjoy this nostalgic dessert at your next celebration, holiday festivity, or your family reunion.
HOW TO STORE POTATO CANDY?
Potato candy will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week if stored in an airtight container. It will keep in the freezer for at least a month. Tip: layer wax paper between the rows of candy.
RECIPE NOTES:
- Work quickly as the dough dries fairly fast. If your dough begins to harden, wet your hands with a small amount of water and knead the dough back to the proper consistency.
- When spreading the peanut butter, leave a ¼-inch edge. Otherwise, the peanut butter will seep out and make a messy roll.
- The amount of sugar needed depends on the moisture level and the size of your potato. You should have about ⅓-1/2 cup of mashed potato but don't worry if you're over or under. Just add less or more sugar for the right consistency. Your dough should be slightly firmer than cookie dough.
- If you have peanut allergies, use nut-free sun butter or almond butter if tolerated. Cookie butter is another option. It's made from pulverized cookies, butter or condensed milk, and sugar.
- You can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mashed potato if you wish.
- Separate the dough into 2, 3, or 4 even pieces if you'd like a mixture of candy - with different filling or color (see ideas in the post).
- If you're making more than one roll, slice them into ½-inch thick pieces (as rolls will be smaller), otherwise slice one big roll into ¼-inch thick pieces.
IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE, TRY THIS POTATO DESSERT:
NO BAKE POTATO CHOCOLATE RUM BARS
Peanut Butter Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 1 small Russet potato, peeled and diced
- 6-8 cups powdered sugar
- ⅔ cups peanut butter
Instructions
- In a small pot of boiling water, cook the potato until tender. Drain and transfer to a bowl; mash until smooth and lump-free. Let cool completely.
- With an electric mixer on low speed, beat together the potato and powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until mixture is thick and the pearly dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a large sheet of parchment paper sprinkled with powdered sugar; dust more powdered sugar on top. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a large rectangular shape, approximately ¼-inch thick; trim to form straight edges.
- Spread peanut butter over dough (see recipe notes). Starting at one long side, tightly roll up candy, jelly-roll style, using parchment paper as a guide. Wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap, and freeze or refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Unwrap and cut candy into ¼-inch thick pieces. Enjoy! (See the post for storing the leftover candy)
Notes
- Work quickly as the dough dries fairly fast. If your dough begins to harden, wet your hands with a small amount of water and knead the dough back to the proper consistency.
- When spreading the peanut butter, leave a ¼-inch edge. Otherwise, the peanut butter will seep out and make a messy roll.
- The amount of sugar needed depends on the moisture level and the size of your potato. You should have about ⅓-1/2 cup of mashed potato but don't worry if you're over or under. Just add less or more sugar for the right consistency. Your dough should be slightly firmer than cookie dough.
- If you have peanut allergies, use nut-free sun butter or almond butter if tolerated. Cookie butter is another option. (It's made from pulverized cookies, butter or condensed milk, and sugar).
- You can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mashed potato if you wish.
- Separate the dough into 2, 3 or 4 even pieces if you'd like a mixture of candy - with different filling or color (see ideas in the post).
- If you're making more than one roll, slice them into ½-inch thick pieces (as rolls will be smaller), otherwise slice one big roll into ¼-inch thick pieces.
Nutrition
Carolyn C says
I make this every year. I love it. I have put strawberry jam on it. Cinnamon Sugar is good but my favorite is the original peanut butter. Ladies at my Daughter's work call it crack candy because it gives them the best energy at work.
Jas says
Crack candy; I love it! Must try with jam. Thanks for sharing!
Marie says
Can you mail this for Christmas? Form like IL to FL? Do you think it’s safe since it’s refrigerated? Thank you!
Jas says
Hi Marie, I haven't tried mailing these, so I can't guarantee it. However, I think it's safe as it doesn't contain eggs or other perishable ingredients. I have successfully mailed other homemade Christmas cookies to Germany (from IN). Just make sure to pack it in a cookie tin (so they don't get squished) and place parchment paper between layers. Express shipping helps if you're mailing via USPS or overnight with FedEx. Good luck!
Bobbi Jo says
My grandmother made this candy for Christmas every year, as kids we could never get enough!!!
I’m happy to find the recipe, as in my many moves I lost mine!
Thank you Nanna for the memories and your love!
Yummy yummy in my tummy
Bobbi jo
Jas says
Awe! Love when food triggers the best childhood memories. 🙂 Enjoy!
Elizabeth Ann Palmer says
Excellent poor man's candy! Love this!!
Jas says
So glad you like it, Elizabeth!
acraftymix says
Never in a gazillion, gamillion years would I have thought of combining peanut butter and mashed potatoes. EVER!!! But after reading your recipe I'm so intrigued, plus these are no bake, which is so my kind of baking. I just told the hubby about these and he says "hell yeah, we have to make them" but he wants some apricot jam with his peanut butter 😀
Jas says
I don't blame him, haha. I must warn you: this candy is super sweet (although the pieces are small). Or maybe it is so sweet to me since I cut down on my sugar intake. You be the judge! 😉
Marie says
Hi Jas, I'm popping over from the Inspiration Monday party. I've never heard of potato candy and I'm part Irish! I'm very intrigued by this and can't wrap my brain around what it would taste like. Pinned to share but also to try some time.
Jas says
Hi, Marie! It doesn't taste anything like potatoes. Potato is just a glue to hold the sugar together in a dough. So, you can imagine, it's pretty sweet but also yummy because of peanut butter. Hope you'll give it try if only for the fun!
Ai says
I've never heard of this! How interesting!! I've only ever tried the Irish potato candy made with cream cheese and covered in cinnamon, never one actually made with potatoes! I've tried potatoes in desserts before: doughnuts and mochi. Your potato candy sounds delicious, especially paired with peanut butter 😉
Jas says
Don't you just love learning something new every day? I sure do. 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Ai! I'm glad you like this unusual recipe.
The Girl Next Door says
Oh, wow! This is something completely new to me! I would never have thought of using potato in a candy - it looks so delicious!
Jas says
Potato is so versatile. Glad you like this candy recipe! xx
Jillian says
I have never heard of this & I'm excited to give it a try! I love going all out for St. Patrick's Day so this is going to be fun to have a true Irish recipe!!
Jas says
Super fun to celebrate in style! Thanks for stopping in, Jillian!
Life Diet Health says
What a great idea Jas, I've only used potato as a dessert for chocolate potato cake so this is new to me. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday.
Jas says
Me too, in my chocolate potato rum bars. 😀 xx
Kat says
I am always drawn to recipes that have peanut butter, and I am intrigued by the peanut butter and potato combination. I will probably try it with a russet potato first, as you suggest, but I would like to try it with sweet potato too! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!
Jas says
Hi, Kat! The sweet potato combo sounds interesting, however, keep in mind these two things:
1. sweet potato contains more moisture, thus you will need more sugar to get the consistency of a dough.
2. sweet potato, as its name suggests, is already sweet and this candy is pretty sweet even with a Russet potato.
If you make it, I'd love to know how it turned out. 🙂
Alice V-DIYerfy says
this looks like such a neat treat to make I have to try it at home. Pinning it for later too. Thanks for linking this up with us at #OMHGWW and hope to see you next week!
Jas says
Thank you much, Alice! xx
Ron says
Jas, after the holiday success we had with your Potato Chocolate Rum Bars recipe, this one will be on the Easter dessert table. Seriously, Swedes love that rum bar. We've forward that post to a number of people.
But your Peanut Butter Potato Candy looks fantastic as well. A simple and sweet finger food - how good is that.
Jas says
I so appreciate your kindness, Ron, and thank you for forwarding my recipe to your friends! I think potatoes are a super vegetable! So versatile in savory cooking plus you can use it in sweets, not to mention the booze, ha! Hope you like this potato candy (use cookie butter since your household is nut-free) or make with peanut butter for your friends.
Ron says
Jas, thanks for thinking of our nut-free house. I've a better plan, I gave it to my MIL and she's going to make it for an upcoming family fika at her place. Win-win.
Jas says
Ha! That's a perfect plan. 😀