Irish Potato Candy (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Irish Potato Candy is such a fun and easy treat to make! This vegan version of the old-fashioned candy is completely dairy-free and gluten-free! A no-bake homemade recipe that's just 6 ingredients, full of the classic sweet creamy coconut and cinnamon flavors you love, plus it can be made sugar-free and keto!

You may have never had or even heard of Irish potato candy, so the thought of potato and candy meshed together may already be scaring you. Before you click off, let me put your mind at ease...There is NO potato in Irish potato candy. Here's another kicker for you...it's not even Irish! This old-fashioned candy has its roots in Philadelphia, PA, and typically is a very dairy-heavy treat. Have no fear, I'm going to show you have to make it completely vegan and...potato-free!

What is Irish Potato Candy?

This wholly American candy has its origins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The brand, Oh Ryan's of Boothwyn, PA, "claims to be the largest distributor of Irish Potatoes, shipping about 80,000 pounds to major chains and smaller candy stores, mostly in the Philadelphia area," per Wikipedia. If you're not from the Northeast you may have never heard of this seasonal confection.

The candy is made to look like a potato with a blend of butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, and vanilla. The mixture is then molded into oblong potato-like ovals and rolled in cinnamon. This gives the candy the appearance of a small russet potato! Some people roll their coconut-cream in cocoa powder for a darker and dirtier look and add pine nuts to the exterior for the appearance of small potato sprouts.

Amish potato candy is the kind you'll see that DOES contain potato that's mashed but doesn't actually look like potatoes. It's rolled like pinwheel cookies with a peanut butter filling and sliced.

What is Potato Candy Made of?

You only need 6 ingredients for this easy no-fuss, no-bake candy!

• Vegan Butter: The coconut-cream-based center of the "potato" starts with a half and half blend of butter and cream cheese. Use your favorite plain vegan, allergen-free butter that's been cubed and softened.
• Vegan Cream Cheese: You'll need dairy-free cream cheese for your other half. Essentially you are making cream cheese frosting. I suggest using a plain, allergen-free cream cheese brand like Daiya. You DO NOT want whipped cream cheese for this recipe. You want a thick variety. You'll want this cubed and softened like the butter before blending.
• Powdered Sweetener: This is where the sweetness comes in! Use your preferred powdered sugar variety. You can make it sugar-free by using something like Swerve or you can just use standard powdered (confectioner) sugar. This is added into the blended-up butter and cream cheese mixture.
• Shredded Coconut: Next you'll need some shredded coconut (NOT finely shredded or coconut flakes). You need to use sweetened shredded coconut. Unsweetened shredded coconut can be used if you want this recipe to be keto and completely sugar-free, however, unsweetened coconut tends to be drier in terms of texture. You can use either one, but I suggest you stick with a sweetened variety for optimal candy pleasure.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is added for flavor! It creates a perfect balance with the sweet coconut and rounds everything out with that hint of vanilla for this cream-based confection.
• Cinnamon: Finally, you'll need a hefty dose of cinnamon! This is the exterior of the potato candies. Depending on the variety of cinnamon you use may end up with a darker or lighter colored potato. If you want an extra dirty (extra cinnamony) potato, you can double roll them in cinnamon (roll once, then again before serving). You can also use coconut powder if you want an extra dark potato. I suggest going the traditional route and sticking with cinnamon!

This Recipe is Made to be:

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free)
• Grain-Free
• Low in Sugar or Sugar-Free
• Keto and Low-Carb (if you go sugar-free!)
• Paleo (depending on the dairy-free butter and cream cheese you use, as well as opting for sugar-free!)
• Easy, Quick, and Kid-Friendly
• ...and Potato-Free!

How to Make Irish Potato Candy

With just a few steps and some chilling time, you'll be able to whip this homemade candy up in a flash! It's super kid-friendly so it makes a perfect St. Patrick's Day activity to do at home with the kids!

Start with Making the Coconut Cream Base

1. Just like with a cream cheese frosting, you start out by beating together the room temperature vegan butter and cream cheese. You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer.
2. Once you've creamed them together, you'll slowly add in the powdered sweetener, and continue beating the mixture until everything is creamed together and smooth.
3. Finally, you'll add in the vanilla extract and shredded coconut. Mix everything together until combined.
4. Now you'll chill the coconut cream base for 20-30 minutes, just enough to allow things to harden up a bit before rolling and making those potatoes!

How to Shape and Roll the Potato Candy

1. Using about a tablespoon-sized amount of your chilled "coconut dough", roll it with your hands into an oblong potato-like shape. It can be awkward and knobbing, just like real potatoes are! Don't worry about uniformity.
2. Next, roll that little coconut potato in the cinnamon to completely coat the exterior. No white should be showing. Please each piece back onto a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup and chilling.
3. Chill the vegan potato candy until you're ready to serve!

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Chill Before Shaping: Some people shape the coconut dough into the potato shape and then chill in the fridge, however, I recommend you chill the dough before shaping. Shaping the chilled dough and then directly rolling in the cinnamon makes it super easy for the cinnamon to stick perfectly on the outside.
• Best Way To Store Potato Candy: The BEST way to store and keep the finished candy is in the freezer! Transfer the cinnamon potato candy directly with the parchment or wax paper into an airtight freezer container. They'll stay perfectly soft and chewy with no need to defrost! You can keep them in the freezer for 2-3 months. You can keep them in the fridge. Stored the same way in a container for up to 2 weeks. DO NOT store them at room temperature! While these are dairy-free, they're made with perishable vegan ingredients.

More Irish Recipes for St. Patrick's Day:

• Traditional Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread
• Traditional Irish Colcannon
• Easy Lentil Shepherd's Pie
• Irish Potato Bread (Potato Farls)
• Rustic Mung Bean Shepherd's Pie
• Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
• Mini Mint Chocolate Brownies

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So fun, so easy, this candy is a perfect family activity and one that's DELICIOUS to eat afterward! Give this recipe a pin and if you make it, show me your little potatoes, tagging me over on Instagram!

So tell me:

+ Have you ever heard of Irish Potato Candy?

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