Name: Dessert
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium potato, peeled and sliced.; 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).

Old Fashioned Potato Candy is a testament to the ingenuity of home cooks who could create something extraordinary from humble ingredients. This sweet confection, born from lean times, has stood the test of time, delighting generations with its unique texture and satisfying sweetness. The magic lies in the unexpected use of mashed potatoes, which lend a silky smoothness to the candy. As you roll out the dough and spread peanut butter, you're not just making candy; you're preserving a piece of culinary history. The result is a treat that's both familiar and surprising, perfect for sharing and savoring.

Old Fashioned Potato Candy is a sweet treat that's been around for generations. It's simple to make and tastes great, even though it has an unusual main ingredient - mashed potatoes! Don't worry, though. The candy doesn't taste like potatoes at all. Instead, it's a creamy, sugary delight that's perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

This candy combines mashed potatoes, powdered sugar, and peanut butter to create a soft, sweet roll. The potatoes act as a binder, giving the candy its unique texture without adding any potato flavor. The result is similar to rolled fondant, but creamier.

Making Old Fashioned Potato Candy is also a fun activity. Kids love helping to roll out the dough and spread the peanut butter. It's a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes too!

What You'll Need for This No-Bake Potato Candy

Before we start making our Traditional Potato Candy Recipe, let's look at the ingredients you'll need:

1. Mashed Potatoes

You'll need about 1/2 cup of plain mashed potatoes. It's important to use unseasoned mashed potatoes - no butter, milk, salt, or anything else. The potatoes help bind the candy together and give it its special texture.

If you're making mashed potatoes just for this recipe, simply boil a small potato until it's soft, then mash it without adding anything. Let it cool completely before using it in the candy.

You can also use leftover mashed potatoes, but make sure they're plain. If your leftovers have butter or milk in them, the candy might turn out too soft.

2. Powdered Sugar

You'll need about 4 cups of powdered sugar, also called confectioner's sugar or icing sugar. This fine sugar dissolves easily and makes the candy sweet and smooth. It's important to use powdered sugar, not regular sugar, to get the right texture.

When measuring your powdered sugar, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off. Don't scoop directly with the measuring cup, as this can pack the sugar and give you too much.

3. Peanut Butter

You'll need about 1/2 cup of peanut butter. You can use smooth or crunchy, whichever you prefer. Smooth peanut butter will give you an even texture, while crunchy will add some interesting bits to your candy.

It's best to use regular peanut butter rather than natural peanut butter for this recipe. Natural peanut butter can separate and might affect how your candy turns out.

4. Vanilla Extract (Optional)

While not necessary, a teaspoon of vanilla extract can add a nice flavor to your candy. It goes well with the peanut butter and adds an extra bit of sweetness.

How to Make Easy Old Fashioned Potato Candy Recipe

Now that we have our ingredients ready, let's go through the steps to make Old Fashioned Potato Candy. Don't worry if you've never made candy before - this recipe is easy to follow.

1. Get Your Workspace Ready

Before you start, make sure you have a clean, dry surface to work on. You'll be rolling out your candy dough, so a smooth countertop or a large cutting board works well. You might want to put down some wax paper or parchment paper to make cleanup easier.

2. Mix the Potatoes and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, put your 1/2 cup of cooled mashed potatoes and the vanilla extract (if you're using it).

Slowly add the powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. You might want to start with a spoon, but as the mixture gets thicker, you'll probably need to use your hands.
Keep adding sugar until the mixture forms a dough that's not sticky anymore. It should feel a bit like play-dough.
If the dough seems too dry, you can add a tiny bit more mashed potato. If it's too wet, add more powdered sugar.

3. Roll Out the Dough

Sprinkle some powdered sugar on your work surface to prevent sticking.
Take your dough and shape it into a rough rectangle with your hands.
Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Try to keep the edges as straight as you can.
If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, dust it lightly with more powdered sugar.

4. Add the Peanut Butter

Spread the 1/2 cup of peanut butter evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the peanut butter. Be gentle so you don't tear the dough.

5. Roll and Chill

Starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the dough into a log, like you're rolling up a jelly roll.
If any cracks appear as you're rolling, gently pinch them closed.
Once you've rolled up your candy, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper.
Put the wrapped roll in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least an hour, or until it's firm enough to slice.

6. Slice and Serve

Once your candy roll is chilled and firm, take it out of the refrigerator.
Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into pieces about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
Put your candy slices on a plate or in a container. If you're stacking them, put wax paper between the layers.

Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Potato Candy

While Old Fashioned No-Bake Candy is pretty easy to make, here are a few tips to help your candy turn out great every time:

Use cold mashed potatoes: Make sure your mashed potatoes are completely cool before you start. Warm potatoes can melt the powdered sugar and make your dough too sticky.
Don't mix too much: Mix until just combined to avoid making the candy tough.

Chill well: Don't rush the chilling process. The candy needs to be firm to slice cleanly.
Use a sharp knife: A dull knife can squish your candy as you're trying to slice it.
Store it right: Keep your candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for about a week.

Try These Variations of Classic Potato Candy

One great thing about Old Fashioned Potato Candy is how easy it is to change up. Here are a few different versions you might want to try:

Different Nut Butters

While peanut butter is traditional, you can use any nut butter you like. Almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for those with nut allergies can work well.

Add Some Spice

Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to your dough for a warm, spicy flavor.

Chocolate Lover's Version

Spread a thin layer of Nutella instead of peanut butter for a chocolatey twist.

Colorful Candy

Add a few drops of food coloring to your dough to make colorful candy rolls. This is especially fun for holidays - think green for St. Patrick's Day or orange for Halloween.

The Interesting Past of Rich Old Fashioned Potato Candy

Old Fashioned Potato Candy has an interesting history that goes back to the Great Depression. During this hard time, people had to be creative with the food they had. Potatoes were cheap and easy to find, so people used them in many dishes, even desserts.

We're not sure exactly where potato candy came from, but many think it started in the southern United States. It was a way for families to make something sweet without using expensive ingredients like butter or eggs.

Over the years, potato candy has stayed popular in many families, passed down from parents to children. It's especially common in areas with lots of Irish or German people, as both cultures have a history of using potatoes in creative ways.

Today, people enjoy Old Fashioned Potato Candy not just because it tastes good, but also because it reminds them of the past. It's a reminder of simpler times and how clever our ancestors were, making something delicious out of simple ingredients.

Why You'll Enjoy This Vintage Potato Candy Recipe

There are many reasons to love Old Fashioned Potato Candy:

It's different: How many other candies do you know that use potatoes as a main ingredient?
It's easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and no special equipment needed, anyone can make this candy.
You can change it up: As we've seen, there are many ways to vary this recipe to suit what you like.
It's cheap to make: The ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find.

It uses up leftover mashed potatoes: Instead of throwing them away, you can turn them into a tasty treat!
It's a great conversation starter: Serve this at a party and watch people's reactions when you tell them what it's made of!

Whether you're looking for a fun cooking project, a unique dessert to bring to a potluck, or just a sweet treat to satisfy your cravings, Old Fashioned Potato Candy is a great choice. It's simple, versatile, and delicious, making it a recipe you'll want to make again and again.

So why not give it a try? Get your ingredients together, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy the sweet, creamy delight of Old Fashioned Potato Candy. Who knows? It might just become your new favorite treat!