Peanut Butter Potato Candy is a sweet old fashioned candy that has been made for generations. It’s not so secret ingredient of mashed potatoes makes this a fun, and unique candy, swirled up with peanut butter, its a delicious treat for the holidays.
If you’ve never made potato candy before, this might sound super strange, or intriguing to you. This recipe is an old fashioned one that is believed to have been around for almost 100 years.
It may seem strange, but I promise this candy doesn’t taste like mashed potatoes. They’re used to help hold the candy together and make it a soft fudgy like texture!
Why make this Recipe
- Easy to Make – Potato Candy is made with only 6 ingredients, and just a few steps.
- Old Fashioned Flavor – Many of us grew up making this classic homemade candy for years. If you haven’t, just know that it doesn’t really taste like mashed potatoes
- Perfect for the Holidays – This is a great no bake treat that is perfect for adding to treat platters or gift baskets during the holidays.
- Peanut Butter Alternate – Instead of Peanut Butter you could use your favorite nut butter, or even something sweeter like Nutella or Cookie Butter instead.
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Peanut Butter Potato Candy Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Mashed Potatoes – Make a quick batch by cooking a potato in the microwave, or even use instant mashed potatoes
- Unsalted Butter – helps make the filling extra creamy
- Powdered Sugar – Gives the candy sweetness, and structure
- Vanilla Extract – Use Real vanilla extract for the best flavor
- Salt – Add a dash to balance the flavors
- Creamy Peanut Butter
How to make Potato Candy Recipe with Peanut Butter
Step 1: Mix the mashed potatoes, butter and powdered sugar. Start by mixing 1 cup of the powdered sugar and mix until combined. The mixture will become liquidy, but don’t worry it will come together as you add more. Add more powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Continue adding until the dough is moldable and can be rolled into a ball. Stir in vanilla extract, and salt too.
Step 2: Roll out the mixture. Separate the dough into two portions, and working one at a time (put the second in the fridge) roll the dough out into a rectangle, on a lightly powdered sugar coated piece of parchment paper about 1/4 inch thick.
Step 3: Spread out the Peanut Butter. Spread the creamy peanut butter evenly over the candy, leaving about 1/2 inch on each of the edges for rolling.
Step 4: Roll up the candy. Start on the long side of the dough and roll the candy into a log. Cut the candy into slices that are between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch thick. Repeat with additional candy to make another log.
Tips and Tricks
- Easy Mashed Potatoes – You can use your microwave to mash a russet potato by piercing the potato all over with a fork. Microwave for several minutes, rotating every few minutes until the potato is tender and can be pierced easily with a fork. Remove the inside of the potato from the skin and mash it up until you no longer have lumps.
- Let the Mashed Potatoes Cool – Let the mashed potatoes cool to room temperature before using them in the candy. If you use them when they are still warm, your dough may be too liquidy and won’t come together.
- Cut into small pieces – This treat is very rich and sweet, so cut the slices small (even smaller than photographed if needed)
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover candy pieces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. I like to layer the candy between parchment paper to keep it from sticking or being too messy.
Potato candy is a delightfully sweet pinwheel candy, that is so fun to make! If you have never tried it before you are missing out, and now is your time to try this delicious peanut butter candy!
More Candy Recipes
- Saltine Cracker Toffee
- Recipe Hard Tack Candy
- Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
- Chocolate Mint Fudge
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Homemade Nut Clusters
- DIY Hot Cocoa Spoons
If you try this Peanut Butter Potato Candy, please leave a 🌟 rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Peanut Butter Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain mashed potatoes
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 6-7 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Add the mashed potatoes, butter, and 1 cup of the powdered sugar to a large bowl and use a hand mixer, or the bowl of a stand mixer to mix until combined. 1/2 cup plain mashed potatoes, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 6-7 cups powdered sugar
- Add in the remaining powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until you've added 6 cups of the powdered sugar, or until the mixture is a moldable consistency that you can roll into a ball. 6-7 cups powdered sugar
- Stir in the vanilla extract, and salt. 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp salt
- Separate the candy into two portions and cover one with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge.
- Lay out a piece of parchment paper, and sprinkle it lightly with more powdered sugar.
- Shape half the dough into a rectangle, and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, and about 8x12inches in size.
- Spread half the peanut butter evenly over the candy, leaving about 1cm around each of the edges for rolling. 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- Start with the long side of the dough and roll the dough up into a tight log.
- Use a sharp knife and cut the log into slices about 1/4inch to 1/2inch thick.
- Repeat with the additional candy and peanut butter.
Notes
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- Easy Mashed Potatoes – You can use your microwave to mash a russet potato by piercing the potato all over with a fork. Microwave for several minutes, rotating every few minutes until the potato is tender and can be pierced easily with a fork. Remove the inside of the potato from the skin and mash it up until you no longer have lumps.
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- Let the Mashed Potatoes Cool – Let the mashed potatoes cool to room temperature before using them in the candy. If you use them when they are still warm, your dough may be too liquidy and won’t come together.
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- Cut into small pieces – This treat is very rich and sweet, so cut the slices small (even smaller than photographed if needed)
- Peanut Butter Alternate – Instead of Peanut Butter you could use your favorite nut butter, or even something sweeter like Nutella or Cookie Butter instead.
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