THE NAME OF THESE CANDIES IS MISLEADING. I’ll admit that they’re not Irish, and that they don’t feature potato as an ingredient. But they are hilarious! I can’t think of anyone who’s not charmed by them. Resembling tiny, dusty potatoes, these sweet divinity-like candies taste as good as they look. Many regions and candy makers claim to have invented them, but there doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer to stop the arguments. I know these are bought and sent widely in the United States for St. Paddy’s. Here’s my recipe so you can make them yourself.
MAKES ABOUT
2 POUNDS CANDY
4 tablespoons (½ stick) / 60 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces / 110 grams cream cheese, at room temperature (not low-fat or whipped)
4 cups / 400 grams confectioners’ sugar, plus more for coating hands
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 ounces / 200 grams dried unsweetened coconut flakes
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
½ cup / 75 grams toasted walnut pieces
Cream together the butter and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Beat in the sugar and vanilla. Stir in the coconut flakes with a spatula.
Put the cinnamon into a small bowl. Coat your dry hands with confectioners’ sugar. Take 2 teaspoon–size pieces of the dough and form them into irregular potato shapes. Drop the potatoes into the cinnamon and roll to coat. Place them on a baking sheet and set them aside while you work. When all the potatoes have been formed and dipped in the cinnamon, press small pieces of toasted walnuts randomly into the sides of each ball to form the potato’s eyes. Refrigerate for several hours until firm before serving, and store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.