This easy recipe for Irish Potatoes is one that I love making every St. Patrick’s Day! Also referred to as Irish potato candy, these sweets are made with simple ingredients like coconut, cream cheese, and cinnamon. If you’ve never had them before, you’ll get a kick out of finding out there’s no potatoes in these treats at all – they just look like cute little potatoes!

Irish potatoes are stacked in a pile on a white serving plate.


Irish Potatoes (Irish Potato Candy)

I think this might just be one of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes ever, and my kids totally agree with me! Adorably shaped into potatoes, a mixture of sweet cream cheese and coconut are dusted with cinnamon.

They taste almost like an Almond Joy from those coconut flakes, but have an element of warmth from the cinnamon that makes them SO tasty and gives them the appearance of little brown potatoes.

One of my favorite things about making Irish potato candy is just how easy the process is. This is a quick no-bake recipe that gets whipped up with just seven inexpensive ingredients!

Plus, the process really is so simple that even the little ones running around your kitchen can help you. Your little Play-Doh artist will really enjoy helping you shape the creamy coconut mixture into potatoes!

The seven ingredients you need to whip up this St. Paddy’s Day recipe are likely already in your kitchen now, especially if you cook as often as I do. You’ll need cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, shredded coconut, a pinch of salt and some cinnamon to make this budget-friendly recipe. Isn’t that shopping list short and sweet?! Just how I like it!

The ingredients for Irish potato candy are placed on a woven placemat.

How to Make Irish Potatoes

This easy no-bake dessert recipe comes together in no time to make your St. Patrick’s Day delicious!

  1. Beat. Beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  2. Make it sweet. Add in the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Then, beat in the vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in the shredded coconut and mix until combined.
  3. Form the little potatoes. Use your hands to roll the creamy mixture into ovals to resemble potatoes.
  4. Dust them. Roll the little potatoes in cinnamon, then arrange them on a baking sheet.
  5. Chill. Let the potato candy chill in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes.
Several potato candies are placed in a white baking dish with shamrock sprinkles.

Ingredient Notes

Here are just a few helpful notes about what goes into these festive sweets!

  • Cream Cheese – Try to avoid low-fat cream cheese for this recipe. It won’t yield the same thick and creamy consistency as regular cream cheese.
  • Vanilla Extract – I’m always a big advocate for pure vanilla extract, not imitation. Imitation adds sweetness without lending any real vanilla flavor.
  • Cinnamon – I’ve found that it’s easiest (and creates the smallest mess) to just pour the cinnamon in a shallow bowl and roll the potatoes around in there.

Tips for the Best Irish Potato Candy

Get the best results every single time when you use these quick tips.

  • Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. You may not need all of the sugar. Once the mixture becomes the consistency of cookie dough, there’s no need to add any more sugar. If you add too much, the mixture will become way too thick.
  • Create the best consistency. If your mixture does happen to become way too thick, simple mix in some milk or heavy cream 1 TBSP at a time. Too sticky? Mix in more powdered sugar just 1 TBSP at a time until the correct consistency is achieved.

How to Store Irish Potatoes

It’s VERY important to keep these candies stored in the fridge! They’re primarily made with cream cheese, so they will NOT hold up if stored at room temperature. Place your Irish potato candy in an airtight food storage container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

A bite has been taken out of an Irish potato.

Feeling lucky? Check out more of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes!

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Irish potatoes are stacked in a pile on a white serving plate.

Get the Recipe: Irish Potato Candy Recipe

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Classic Irish Potato Candy is a sweet Irish treat made with sugar, cream cheese, coconut and butter. Rolled in cinnamon, they're a great addition to your St. Patrick's Day party.
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Ingredients

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 4 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flaked coconut
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Equipment

  • 1 hand mixer

Instructions 

  • Beat cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth.
  • Slowly add the confectioners sugar, one cup at a time, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
  • Add the coconut and mix until well combined.
  • Roll the mixture into balls or oval shapes (to look like a potato.
  • Roll the balls in cinnamon and arrange on a baking sheet.
  • Chill for 15-30 minutes.

Notes

You may not need all the sugar so once the mixture becomes the consistency of cookie dough.
If your dough becomes too thick, add milk or heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time. If your dough is too stick, add more confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
Calories: 319kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 163mg, Potassium: 95mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 41g, Vitamin A: 247IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Candy, Dessert
Cuisine: American, irish