By Kevin Williams
Amish Mashed Potato Candy
I have to admit I had never heard of "mashed potato candy" until I encountered it an Amish bakery yesterday. I thought maybe it was called that just because it looked like mashed potatoes. So I asked the Amish baker if the candy really contained mashed potatoes and she assured me that it did. So she gave me a few pieces to take home and was nice enough to share the recipe with all of us. You really can't taste the potatoes...at least I can't, it's overpowered (or over powdered in this case) by the sugar...I think some creative Amish baker had a bunch of leftover mashed potatoes once and came up with this easy recipe!
Amish Mashed Potato Candy
Prep time
Total time
Serves: 24 pieces of candy
Ingredients
- 1 cup of mashed potatoes
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract,
- 2 pounds powdered (confectioners) sugar, sifted**
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Mix powdered sugar with mashed potatoes.
- Add vanilla and mix until it is like pie dough.
- Roll out in shape of pie crust with a rolling pin.
- Spread with peanut butter.
- Roll up small and cut in slices, about ½-inch thick.
- Place on large platter and put in refrigerator until chilled.
This candy is also common in the PA Dutch/ Berks County area. It's a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
My wife has made "potato candy" for all our married life (55 years). Her mother (born 1920) made it and her mother (born 1880) made it. None were or are Amish, but my wife's mother and grandmother were from the hills of Eastern Kentucky near Salyersville in Magoffin County, Big Lick Hollow to be exact. I don't think "potato candy" is an Amish recipe, but it was a southern recipe that was made as a special treat at Christmas time. Where the Amish came upon that recipe, I have no idea.
I love potato candy. I was born in Magoffin county on Middle Fork. My dad was Golden Dyer. We moved from there to Cincinnati when I was small child for my dad to find work. I still have relatives in Salyersville.
Thanks for posting, Frieda, there are definitely some fascinating cultural stories in Magoffin County. And beautiful area, also!
We love this.My mom made this every christmas when I was a kid,I still make it to this day.We are from western part of Ky
Ah, western Kentucky...been awhile since I've been that way...you near Paducah?
I've made this candy since I was a little girl 50+ years ago. We would start with a med russet potato and rice it and then use evaporated milk, vanilla and powdered sugar for the "dough" roll 1/2 out and spread with peanut butter. Roll in long log and slice. We also dyed each 1/2 green or red for Christmas or pastel colors for spring. A southern thing.
good idea on the colors, nice festive touch!
I love this candy. My Grandmother made out every Christmas. I'm from the hills of East Tennessee!
This is a Kentucky recipe for sure
Definitely seems to be some southern roots to it!
Hi i'm from Jamestown NY in western New York State , home of Lucille Ball. My Mother made this candy every year for Christmas for gifts and for my 5 brothers and I. I am now 77 years of age and never miss making this for my children and grandchildren. My Mother grew up in Amish country in Pennsylvania near Lancaster. She always referred to the candy as Amish potato candy. My family and I look forward to making and of course eating it every Christmas Season. YUMMY,YUMMY. I also give it to special friends and relatives. They tell me it has become a special and yummy part of their Christmas Holidays also.
Hi, Jan, welcome to Amish365. Ah, I love Jamestown....last time I was there, I drove right by the Lucille Ball Museum downtown....and the mashed potato candy in the photo came from an Amish bakery near you....thanks for stopping by and sharing your potato candy story! - Kevin
ACTUALLY. SOUNDS. GOOD. NICE WAY OF USING LEFT OVER MASHED. POTATOES
Yes, this is a tasty candy, welcome to Amish365, Kim!