I have to admit I had never heard of "mashed potato candy" until I encountered it an Amish bakery in New York several years ago. 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 Potato Candy Tradition
Although the past couple of years has shown me that that candy in the New York bakery isn't a total rarity, many people have heard of mashed potato candy and consider it a sweet tradition.
A friend of ours, Jessica, decided to try making some with her leftover Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and here are her observations:
So. After I was so far in that I couldn’t change my candy making steps, I read that
a) Leftover Thanksgiving mashed potatoes aren’t a great idea because they contain so much milk and butter that it’s hard to get the consistency right in order to roll the “dough” out.
b) I read somewhere (another recipe) that they chilled the dough before rolling (great idea!)
c) they split the dough into two sections to be able to roll it out flatter and work with a smaller portion. If I was in a candy-making contest I would follow all of the above guidelines to make the prettiest candy.
However, for this recipe, I think the leftover mashed potatoes were ok. After I followed the instructions provided with your recipe, step by step, including chilling the cut candy pieces, I did trim them up a little to make for a prettier platter, which is why the final pics on the platter have more consistently shaped candies. (I also sprinkled a bit of powdered sugar on the dough, while rolling it out, to prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin, as you’ll see in my pics.)
🙋 FAQ
Yes, in fact, if you like crunch and extra peanutty taste, that would be the route to go!
It would add a bit more texture, so if you like coconut, go for it!
Not sure how important the sifting is, but you can do it if you want to follow the recipe exact. Sifting or no sifting, mashed potato candy is a treat! You can add other items to the mixture, like coconut, cocoa, and confectioners' sugar. Pecans or other nuts are another option. The old-fashioned mashed potato candy is a perfect dessert as you head into holidays when everyone seems to be having mashed potatoes. This recipe really became popular during the great depression because it was a sweet treat that didn't require expensive chocolate. And these can be stored in an airtight container and saved for a good week or so. There is also no baking with this candy, so it didn't cause one to use fuel supplier for an oven. And, you know, if you are watching calories and nutrition these aren't terrible. And the prep time is pretty minimal.
I may never look at mashed potatoes the same!
Yep, I might want to try crunchy peanut butter on this sometime! Or, better yet, Nutella!
Here are some more finished photos! These are an old Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, found commonly at family gatherings in the eastern United States. The tradition was brought over from Germany. Sometimes these are even rolled in melted chocolate. There are many a variation on this dish.
So, those are some good tips, insights, and suggestions from Jessica who, by the way, said the candy was delicious. Also, the original instructions say to sift the powdered sugar and Jessica did do that. Not sure how crucial that step is, I might be inclined to skip it. Now, whip out some mashed potatoes and make some delicious Amish mashed potato candy.
🥔 Mashed Potato Candy Ingredients
- 1 cup of mashed potatoes
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract,
- 2 pounds powdered (confectioners) sugar, sifted
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
📋 Mashed Potato Candy 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.
🍬 More Amish Candy Recipes
The Amish celebrate the season through candy, here are some ways!
Three Amish Candy Recipes From the Settlement in Oakland, Maryland
Butterscotch Cornflake Candy sounds amazing, but so do all three of the recipes!
Quick Amish Christmas Candy Recipes
Quick Christmas wreaths, rice candy, and more!
🖨️ Full Mashed Potato Candy Recipe
Amish Mashed Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 pounds powdered sugar
- ½ cup creamy peabut 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!
Hello Kevin and others,My name is Trudy and live in The Netherlands. I will thank you for the lovely recipes that I found here. I'm not a Amish but love your emails very very much and will thank you all for the nice recipes. I always interested at your way of living and the old wise thoughts and recipes from old family.Also the medicine you make for all kind of illness is a great present for me and for the world. Thank you so much and wise you a lovely day and all the good things the earth giving
Trudy
Thank you so much for commenting and visiting, Trudy, welcome to Amish365! We have at least one other regular who lives in the Netherlands...I had a chance to visit Amsterdam when I was a child, I remember the city well (and KLM was always my favorite airline!)
When I was about 5, I remember my grandmother always made it around Christmas time. We're from upstate NY (Sullivan County) and there aren't any Amish nearby. I don't have her recipe but this sounds like the same thing.
Judie
I meant to also say that was in 1950 so the mashed potato candy has been around awhile.
That's a beautiful area of New York...years ago I made frequent treks to the NE, and I'd stay in Port Jervis or Newburgh, not quite Sullivan County, but close!
My husband makes potato candy every year. He doesn’t add vanilla to his candy. This is a Christmas tradition at our house. He learned how to make the candy from his grandmother. She taught all the grandchildren but he is the only one who makes it. In addition to potato Candy we make 8 or 9 different candies and give to family, friends and co-workers.
You have some lucky family, friends, and co-workers, that all sounds amazing and delicious!
Hi I'm from Southern Ohio. My grandma and my mom used to make "potato candy" every year at Christmas. I make it for my daughter s and they love it! I don't eat it bec I don't like peanut butter.
Hello to a fellow Ohioan!
My inlaws were from Mississippi and and introduced me to potato candy. But there is a difference. We make it with one baked potato and a pound of confectioner's sugar. Mash the potato up (no butter or milk) and then mix in the sugar. Roll it out and spread the peanut butter on it, roll it up and slice it. Much the same except for the mashed vs a baked potato. The cut pieces are firm and look more like a cinnamon roll. The vanilla would be good to add, although we never did.
Sounds like a great variation, Dale, thanks for sharing!