3 Ingredient Old Fashioned Potato Candy
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This 3 Ingredient Old Fashioned Potato Candy is made from a mashed potatoes with a layer of creamy peanut butter. It’s a unique and delicious recipe that is so easy to make.
It’s the beginning of #ChristmasSweetsWeek and I am totally thrilled to be a part of it once again. Times are different this year and while the event isn’t sponsored by wonderful companies as it was in the past, you will still be drooling over so many sweet treats this week from over 20 bloggers! The event is hosted by Terri from Love & Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
Below my old fashioned potato candy recipe, you will find all of Monday’s delicious recipes.
Growing up in the Pennsylvania Dutch area, I’ve been eating simple and delicious recipes from the Amish for years. It’s simple food made from simple ingredients, most of the time from leftovers or whatever was on hand. Waste not, want not mentality. This Amish Pear Crumb Pie and Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup are two recipes that use simple and available ingredients that I loved eating growing up, and still do today.
My recipe for this easy candy recipe is from my dad. It was never written down because it was a no-brainer to him to make and one I could make with him as a small child. Memories!
Where is Potato Candy From?
This Amish potato candy recipe is just one of those types of recipes. The history behind it has various origins, but when you get down to it, it’s an inexpensive way to make a sweet treat. It was popular during the Depression Era since it was frugal to make and used very little ingredients.
Perfect for gift giving or to just have in the house when the sweet tooth hits.
What is Potato Candy Made Of?
I have only known this recipe as I made it, but the peanut butter filling can be replaced with another; such as chopped nuts, candied cherries, coconut, or chocolate. Now, I will warn you – this is a very sweet recipe. The ingredients are simply one cooked potato, peanut butter and powdered sugar. That’s it. The potato is the binder for the powdered sugar. You will use quite a bit of the sugar in this recipe.
How to Make 3 Ingredient Old Fashioned Potato Candy
How to Bake a Potato
You need one medium potato that is baked and still warm. You can bake the potato a few ways. Rinse and dry the potato with all methods before cooking.
I used a leftover baked potato that I grilled the day before. I simply cut it open and scooped out the insides once it was done and store it in the refrigerator. When I went to make the candy the next day, I reheat the mashed potato in the microwave a few minutes, until warmed.
Microwave: poke the potato all over with a fork, microwave for about 5 minutes, flip potato over and cook again for 3-4 minutes, or until done.
Oven: preheat oven to 400 degrees and then bake potato for 45-55 minutes until done.
Air Fryer: Poke potato all over with fork, air fry at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Check for doneness, if not done, continue to air fry for abouthe 3-4 minutes, or until done.
Grill: Preheat grill to Medium to Medium-high, depending on your grill. Wrap potato in foil and place on grill. Grill potato for 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes. Check by poking a fork into foil-wrapped potato, if not done, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
Making the Potato Candy Dough
Depending on the size of your potato, you may need to add more powdered sugar to get the right consistency of the dough.
Once your potato is cooked, cut in half and scoop out the insides while the potato is still warm. Place potato in large bowl. Mash very well. If you are using the vanilla flavoring, this is the time to add it (1/2 teaspoon). I did not use it as the recipe I used doesn’t call for it, but many other recipes do or even almond flavoring.
Add in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time and mix well until the dough is stiff but workable. It will become difficult to stir with a wooden spoon. Using clean hands, you can better incorporate the sugar into the dough, if needed. I used the entire 2 pound bag of powdered sugar, as my potato was bit larger than I thought.
At this point, refrigerate for at least 1 hour to stiffen the dough.
Once the dough has chilled, place a silicon baking pad on a large cutting board (can also use parchment paper). Sprinkle a little powdered (confectioners’ sugar) on the board; this will help the dough not stick to the pad. Using a rolling pin, roll the chilled dough into a large rectangular shape, approximately 1/4-inch thick. Add additional powdered sugar if dough gets too soft.
Spread the top of the dough with 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter.
Roll up the dough into a jelly roll shape (just like making cinnamon rolls). Roll up in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.
After the chilling time is up, slice the chilled rolls into approximately 1/2-inch pieces. Store candy covered in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature to serve.
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Other Christmas Sweets You May Enjoy
Christmas Grinch Candy Bark
Eggnog Blossom Cookies
Soft Buttery Homemade Caramel Candy
3 Ingredient Old Fashioned Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 1 medium baked potato
- 2 pounds (about 7 cups) powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, OPTIONAL
Instructions
- You need one medium potato that is baked and still warm. You can bake the potato a few ways. Rinse and dry the potato with all methods before cooking. I used a leftover baked potato that I grilled the day before. I simply cut it open and scooped out the insides once it was done and store it in the refrigerator. When I went to make the candy the next day, I reheat the mashed potato in the microwave a few minutes, until warmed.Microwave: poke the potato all over with a fork, microwave for about 5 minutes, flip potato over and cook again for 3-4 minutes, or until done.Oven: preheat oven to 400 degrees and then bake potato for 45-55 minutes until done.Air Fryer: Poke potato all over with fork, air fry at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Check for doneness, if not done, continue to air fry for abouthe 3-4 minutes, or until done.Grill: Preheat grill to Medium to Medium-high, depending on your grill. Wrap potato in foil and place on grill. Grill potato for 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes. Check by poking a fork into foil-wrapped potato, if not done, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
- Once your potato is cooked, cut in half and scoop out the insides while the potato is still warm. Place potato in large bowl. Mash very well. If you are using the vanilla flavoring, this is the time to add it (1/2 teaspoon). I did not use it as the recipe I used doesn't call for it, but many other recipes do or even almond flavoring.
- Depending on the size of your potato, you may need to add more powdered sugar. Add in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time and mix well until the dough is stiff but workable. It will become difficult to stir with a wooden spoon. Using clean hands, you can better incorporate the sugar into the dough, if needed. I used the entire 2 pound bag of powdered sugar, as my potato was bit larger than I thought.
- At this point, refrigerate for at least 1 hour to stiffen the dough.
- Once the dough has chilled, place a silicon baking pad on a large cutting board (can also use parchment paper). Sprinkle a little powdered (confectioners' sugar) on the board; this will help the dough not stick to the pad. Using a rolling pin, roll the chilled dough into a large rectangular shape, approximately 1/4-inch thick. Add additional powdered sugar if dough gets too soft.
- Spread the top of the dough with 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter.
- Roll up the dough into a jelly roll shape (just like making cinnamon rolls). Roll up in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.
- After the chilling time is up, slice the chilled rolls into approximately 1/2-inch pieces. Store candy covered in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature to serve.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Enjoy these #ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes from our bloggers:
Deck the halls and get ready for very merry sweet treats, like fudge, cookies, Christmas morning breakfasts, layer cakes, cocoa, and more! Follow along on social media with our #ChristmasSweetsWeek hashtag. Happy Holidays!
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Enjoy!
I have heard of potato candy but never seen a recipe. I’m thinking I might give this one a try.
Let me know how you like it, if you try it. It’s very sweet but oh so good!
What an interesting recipe. Thanks for sharing a bit of history with us.
Such an easy recipe, too!
My grandmother loved potato candy but I didn’t know anyone else who ever made it. Now that I am grown up, I want to try it!
It brought back some memories for sure!
Thanks for sharing your family recipe and giving detailed instructions on how to make it. I have heard about potato candy but never thought it to be so simple. Would love to try this.
Simple and sweet! I hope you do try it!
What a unique recipe! Can’t wait to try it!
I can’t believe it’s just potatoes and powdered sugar. I’m so going to have to try this!!
I have made this for years. We also added a few drops of red or green food coloring to the mashed potatoes to give a more festive appearance to this very sweet treat!
I’ll have to try that! Thanks for the tip!