Old fashioned potato candy also is known as Depression candy and it's popular during the Holidays. It's also a 3- ingredient no-bake dessert.
100 Year Old Potato Candy Recipe
This candy was created during the Depression Era in the southern states. Staples were scarce those days so folks in those times made do with what they had. In this case, potatoes, peanut butter, and powdered sugar were created to create this sugary, sweet treat.
A little goes a long way when eating this candy as it is very sweet. This recipe makes quite a bit and makes a great tasty gift.
Does Potato Candy have potatoes in it?
Yes, it really does have potatoes in it! However, the flavor of potato isn't found in the taste of this old-fashioned candy. The potato acts as a binding agent in this recipe.
During the Depression period, this old-fashioned potato candy became very popular because of how inexpensive the ingredients were and how easily obtainable the ingredients were.
RELATED: Snowball Christmas Cookies
3-Ingredient Candy
It only takes 3 ingredients to make this candy:
- Potatoes
- Powdered sugar
- Peanut Butter
How to Make Potato Candy
The candy is made by peeling, cutting, and boiling the potato until it is tender. It is then drained and mashed until no chunks are left.
Next, add about ½ cup of powdered sugar at a time, kneading the mixture until a dough begins to form.
On parchment paper, dust the workspace with powdered sugar and roll the potato mixture out into a rectangular shape.
Spread a thin layer of peanut butter onto the dough to cover the surface evenly.
Roll the dough up starting at the long side into a tight roll. Parchment paper is great in helping aid rolling this candy up in a jelly roll style.
Wrap in parchment paper and chill for 1 hour before removing and slicing it into ¼ inch thickness.
Store the Old Fashioned Potato Candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
3 Ingredient Potato Candy for Christmas
Potato Candy is a classic during the Christmas season as well as peanut butter balls. These Christmas treats are perfect to add to any Christmas Candy Platter.
Another favorite Christmas dessert are these Snowball Christmas Cookies.
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Potato Candy
Old fashioned potato candy also is known as Depression candy is popular during the Holidays and is a 3- ingredient no-bake dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 medium sized Russet potatoes
- 7 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Peel, cube, and boil the potatoes until fork-tender.
- Drain and mash the potatoes well.
- Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until the mixture forms into a dough.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar out on to a parchment paper-lined surface.
- Roll the dough out into a rectangular shape.
- Spread the peanut butter evenly across the dough.
- Roll the dough up starting a long side. Roll tightly and wrap in parchment paper.
- Chill for 1 hour before removing and slicing into ¼ inch slices.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Myrko
Tuesday 28th of February 2023
at what temperature can i add the powdered sugar? does it need to be room temp, cold, hot or does it not matter
roni clark
Sunday 10th of July 2022
why did mine come out runny not formed into dough
SDean
Sunday 25th of December 2022
@roni clark, I just made it tonight and it came out the exact same way! After some research, it seems that you need to let the potatoes cool completely before you mix in the sugar. If the potatoes are warm then it melts the sugar and there is no coming back! I just wish the recipe stated that before I wasted time and resources for it to be a major flop. Looking forward to trying again another day! 😊
Sandi Morris
Friday 16th of December 2022
@roni clark, the potatoes need to be drained really well.
Dana
Sunday 10th of July 2022
Hi Roni,
I am not sure. My family has been making this exact recipe since it was created during the Depression Era. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the potatoes may have been on the smaller side and more powdered sugar needs to be added. Since the potatoes are what holds the candy together I believe that may be it.
Geneva Fleming
Monday 24th of January 2022
we made this when i was in ky now i make it ever year for my grand children
Dana
Monday 24th of January 2022
Thank you for sharing :) This potato candy brings lots of good memories for me, too :)
Linda Goodbrod
Sunday 16th of January 2022
My mom used to make this and I havent thought about it til I saw this....I will be trying to make it myself....I LOVED THIS STUFF
Dana
Monday 17th of January 2022
One of my favorite things about this recipe are the memories that come from it! :)
Elaine
Friday 14th of January 2022
This is very good however instead of potatoes I use cream cheese using the same steps
Tammy Francis
Sunday 18th of December 2022
@Elaine, How much cream cheese?
Jayne Kouba
Tuesday 18th of January 2022
@Elaine, how much cream cheese did you use? We’re the other ingredients the same and the same amounts?