Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Old Fashioned Potato Candy

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Cindy Gibbs at My Country Table
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Total Time: 70
  • Yield: 2 pounds 1x
  • Category: candy
  • Method: cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

A mashed potato contributes to the uniquely delicious flavor in this sinfully rich old-fashioned potato candy and hidden inside is pure creamy peanut butter.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 medium potato
  • 2 tablespoons real butter
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
  • 2 pounds powdered sugar, more for rolling out candy
  • 1 jar creamy peanut butter, 16 ounces, (may not use all)


Instructions

  1. Peel and slice the potato. Cook in a small pan of water until it is very tender. Drain off the water.
  2. Place the potato in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer or mix by hand with a wooden spoon.  Add the butter, vanilla, and salt. Using a potato masher, mash the potato until it is free of all lumps.
  3. Add the powdered sugar about 2 cups at a time, while mixing on low speed and using the whisk attachment. Continue adding the sugar until the candy mixture becomes thick and pliable yet just slightly sticky.
  4. Lay a piece of wax or parchment paper on a countertop and sift powdered sugar heavily on the paper. Place one-third of the candy mixture on the paper and form it into a ball. Sift additional powdered sugar on top of the formed ball.
  5. Place a piece of wax or parchment paper over the top of the ball and slightly flatten the ball with the palm of your hand. Using a rolling pin, roll the candy out to no more than 1/4″ in thickness, rolling it into a rectangular shape. Remove the top piece of paper.
  6. Place a large heaping spoonful of peanut butter onto the candy. Spread it out, stopping about 1/4″ from the edges of the candy.
  7. Using a sharp metal spatula, knife, or bench scraper, roll the candy into a roll, working from left to right. Place the roll onto a cookie sheet lined with foil, wax, or parchment paper.
  8. Roll the remaining two rolls and place on the cookie sheet. Transfer to a freezer for 10 minutes until very cold before slicing.
  9. Slice candy into 3/4″ slices, discarding or eating the end pieces. Store in an airtight container.
  10. Yields about 2 pounds.

Notes

  • It’s easy to get carried away with the peanut butter when making this candy. Try not to use more than 1/2 cup of peanut butter per roll, the first time you make this candy. If the peanut butter oozes out of the candy, you will know to use less the next time you make the candy.
  • This candy is very rich! Although it’s not required, most people prefer to eat this rich candy cold!
  • It’s extremely important to mash out all of the lumps in the candy before adding the powdered sugar.