Our Nana’s Irish Potato Candy Recipe is the ultimate old-school, no-bake treat. Perfected over decades, it is creamy coconut “potatoes” rolled in cinnamon, resembling little baby spuds but tasting like sweet, rich candy.
My daughter and I have had so much fun making these over the years, and now we are sharing our family recipe. This Irish potato candy recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, holiday dessert trays, or anytime you want a nostalgic treat that takes almost zero effort and gets big reactions.
If you grew up anywhere near the East Coast (especially the northeast), you’ve probably seen these before. Irish Potato candy is a classic Philadelphia-style St. Patrick’s Day treat, made with coconut, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
Our version is a little different from other recipes: it’s been passed down for generations. Uses less sugar and adds a little depth in flavor. It's an easy, no-bake recipe that brings the family together to make these treats, regardless of age.
For more family-friendly recipes, try out our classic brioche French toast recipe. Light and fluffy and hits all the right notes for a sweet and savory breakfast. Our airfryer sweet potato fries recipe is a great quick snack for after school or to go with a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Get set before you start! One of my favorite sayings is that an ounce of preparation equals a pound of cure. A few minutes spent prepping and measuring your ingredients makes cooking smoother, faster, and way more fun.
How to make Irish Potatoes Candy
Follow my easy step-by-step instructions for how to make Irish Potatoes Candy in your home kitchen.
We used a paddle attachment for our mixer to make this recipe. If you do not have a paddle mixer, a regular hand mixer, or a rubber spatula will work to combine all the ingredients.
- Add softened cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl.
- Using the paddle feature on your mixer, mix on low for 1 minute until fully combined.
- Add half of the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to a mixing bowl.
* Adding a touch of cinnamon to the Irish potato mixture really enhances the flavor. This step is where most recipes miss out.
- Turn the mixer on the lowest setting and combine. Slowly add the remaining confectioners’ sugar until all is added, then mix until smooth.
- Add the shredded coconut to the mixing bowl and set the mixer on the lowest setting. Combine all the shredded coconut with the sweet, creamy mixture.
- Add the remaining cinnamon to a shallow bowl or pie dish.
- Use a teaspoon to scoop out the cream cheese and sugar mixture, then roll it into small potato-sized bites.
- Place the potatoes in the cinnamon and roll them around in the dish to fully coat them.
- Repeat the process until the mixture is fully coated.
Chef Tips
- If you have time, chill the mixture before rolling. It firms up fast and makes shaping easier.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the creamy mixture; it adds another layer of flavor that most people miss.
- Roll them in cinnamon, then lightly dust again right before serving. That second coat makes them look more realistic and gives the best cinnamon hit.
- Our recipe uses less confectioners' sugar than most to make these holiday treats slightly healthier. If you prefer more sugar, add an additional cup of confectioners' sugar.
- For a less grainy version, chop the shredded coconut before adding it to the creamy mixture.
Recipe Variations & Adjustments
- Brown Butter Irish Potato Candy: Add a teaspoon of brown butter (or browned butter extract) for a deeper, bakery-style flavor.
- Irish Potato Candy Balls (Quick and easy version): Roll into perfect little bite-sized balls instead of potato shapes.
- Toasted Coconut Irish Potato Candy: Toast half the coconut on a baking sheet in the oven at 325 degrees for 5-7 minutes first to develop a nutty, caramelized flavor.
- Espresso Cinnamon Irish Potato Candy: Add a tiny pinch of espresso powder to the cinnamon coating for an Irish coffee twist.
Nana’s Irish Potato Candy is one of those recipes that proves you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something unforgettable. It’s creamy, sweet, cinnamon-y, and ridiculously easy.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If making ahead of time for a party, remove the potatoes from the fridge about half an hour before so they come to room temperature for a softer bite.
Do not freeze unless you’re okay with slight texture changes. Allow to thaw overnight if you do decide to freeze.
Beverage Pairing
- Serve with Irish coffee or hot chocolate for a complete dessert that both the adults and kids will love.
Flavors and Texture
- Flavor: sweet, creamy, coconut-forward, warm cinnamon
- Texture: soft and slightly dense, like candy dough
- Finish: cinnamon-dusted outside, melt-in-your-mouth inside
Recipe FAQs
Irish potato candy is typically made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, and cinnamon. Even though it looks like a potato, this classic St. Patrick’s Day candy contains no potatoes. It is a creamy coconut candy rolled in cinnamon to resemble little spuds.
Irish potato candy is named for its appearance, not its ingredients. The cinnamon coating gives the candy a “dirt” look, and the shape resembles small potatoes. It’s a traditional St. Patrick’s Day treat, especially popular in the Philadelphia area.
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Nana’s Irish Potato Candy Recipe(Classic St. Patrick’s Day Treat)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add softened cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl.
- Using the paddle feature on your mixer, mix on low for 1 minute until fully combined.
- Add half of the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to a mixing bowl.
- * Adding a touch of cinnamon to the Irish potato mixture really enhances the flavor. This step is where most recipes miss out.
- Turn the mixer on the lowest setting and combine. Slowly add the remaining confectioners’ sugar until all is added, then mix until smooth.
- Add the shredded coconut to the mixing bowl and set the mixer on the lowest setting. Combine all the shredded coconut with the sweet, creamy mixture.
- Add the remaining cinnamon to a shallow bowl or pie dish.
- Use a teaspoon to scoop out the cream cheese and sugar mixture, then roll it into small potato-sized bites.
- Place the potatoes in the cinnamon and roll them around in the dish to fully coat them.
- Repeat the process until the mixture is fully coated.
Nutrition
Notes
- If you have time, chill the mixture before rolling. It firms up fast and makes shaping easier.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the creamy mixture; it adds another layer of flavor that most people miss.
- Roll them in cinnamon, then lightly dust again right before serving. That second coat makes them look more realistic AND gives the best cinnamon hit.
- Our recipe uses less confectioners' sugar than most to make these holiday treats slightly healthier. If you prefer more sugar, add an additional cup of confectioners' sugar.
- For a less grainy version, chop the shredded coconut before adding it to the creamy mixture.
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