This classic old-fashioned potato candy recipe, made with just 4 ingredients and no baking required, is a sweet holiday tradition.
What Is Potato Candy?
Potato candy, sometimes called potato fudge or potato roll candy, is a rich, sweet confection made by combining mashed potatoes and powdered sugar into a pliable dough, spreading it with nut butter or another filling, rolling it up into a log, chilling until firm, and slicing into pieces.
This nostalgic candy likely originated during the Great Depression when cooks got creative stretching inexpensive ingredients like potatoes into decadent desserts. The sweet, flaky texture comes from the reaction of the potatoes and powdered sugar. The potato acts as a binder so you don’t taste it, just sweetness.
While the exact origins are debated (Germany, Ireland, Russia, or Pennsylvania Dutch), potato candy remains popular today, especially around the holidays. It’s easy to make and perfect for gift-giving.
How to Make Potato Candy
Making old-fashioned potato candy takes just a few easy steps:
- Cook potatoes until tender, drain, mash and allow to cool slightly. You’ll need 1/2 cup mashed.
- Mix powdered sugar into warm mashed potatoes until a putty-like dough forms, about 6-7 cups.
- Shape dough into a rectangle, trim edges and place on a sugar-dusted sheet of wax paper.
- Spread filling, like nut butter, over dough. Slowly roll up jelly-roll style.
- Chill, slice, and enjoy this nostalgic holiday treat!
Potato Candy Variations
Feel free to customize the filling to suit your tastes:
- Peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter
- Chocolate-hazelnut spread like Nutella
- Cookie butter for a cookie dough flavor
Tips for Making Perfect Potato Candy
Follow these tips for potato candy success:
- Use powdered sugar only, not granulated sugar
- Pay attention when adding powdered sugar to achieve ideal texture
- Work quickly before dough dries out
- Save excess dough to make truffles coated in cocoa powder
With just a few ingredients and simple techniques, you can make this sweet nostalgic candy from the Great Depression era. It’s the perfect edible gift or holiday dessert tray accompaniment.
Old-Fashioned Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 1 small russet potato
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter or nutella
- 6-7 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Peel and chop a small russet potato. Boil in water until very tender, then drain and mash until perfectly smooth. Cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, blend 1⁄2 cup warm mashed potato with 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix in more powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until a thick dough forms.
- On a powdered-sugar-dusted surface, roll dough into a rectangle, 1⁄4 inch thick. Trim edges.
- Spread peanut butter or Nutella evenly over dough. Gently roll up jelly-roll style. Wrap in wax paper and chill 1 hour.
- Slice into 3⁄4 inch pieces. Store leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- For best texture, use a potato ricer to mash potatoes smoothly. Cool slightly before mixing.
- Add cocoa powder or sprinkles to leftover dough, roll into balls, and coat in cocoa or crushed candy canes.
- Swap out the peanut butter for any nut butter, cookie butter, chocolate-hazelnut spread, or dulce de leche.
Make Ahead & Storage
Potato candy rolls can be prepared 1 week ahead. Wrap tightly and store refrigerated. The potato candy pieces will keep airtight at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
Take a sweet nostalgic treat back in time with this easy Old-Fashioned Potato Candy. With a from-scratch potato base and a luscious nut butter swirl, it makes a thoughtful edible gift for a trip down memory lane.
