Old-Fashioned Potato Candy is not only a delicious holiday candy to eat, it’s super fun and easy to make and you only need 3 ingredients. It’s also no-bake. What’s not to love?

Old-Fashioned Potato Candy

 

And yes, it really does have potato in it. But you totally can’t taste them. They do act as a great binder for the dough and preven this candy from being too sweet.

Old-Fashioned Potato Candy- only 3 ingredients

 

A potato, powdered sugar, and peanut butter are all you need to make this delicious Old-Fashioned Potato Candy. It’s kind of a miracle that 3 ingredients can come together and form such a fabulous treat. This recipe has been around for ages. I think since the Great Depression when it was popular because the ingredients were inexpensive and readily available.

Old-Fashioned Potato Candy

You actually can’t taste the potato at all. It just acts as a glue to hold the powdered sugar together. You’ll only need a small potato which should equal about 1/2 cup once cooked and mashed. Don’t worry if you are a little over or under. You will work the powdered sugar in gradually until it forms a putty-like dough. Just add less or more sugar to get the right consistency.

Besides getting the consistency right, you really can’t mess it up.

Potato Candy can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days.

Old-Fashioned Potato Candy- only 3 ingredients

Try These Other Old-Fashioned Candy Recipes:

Old-Fashioned Potato Candy

4.58 from 19 votes

By Christin Mahrlig

Prep: 1 hour
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 24 pieces
Only 3 ingredients needed to make this easy candy! Has lots of peabut butter flavor and will definitely satisfy a sweet tooth!
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Ingredients

  • 1 small russet potato, peeled and sliced
  • 6-8 cups powdered sugar
  • 2/3 cup peanut butter

Instructions 

  • Place potato in a small pan and cover with water. Cook until very tender. Drain and place in a large bowl.
  • Use a hand mixer to beat the potato until it is lump-free.
  • Add 4 cups of powdered sugar and beat until mixed well.
  • Continue to mix powdered sugar in 1 cup at a time until thick. (It should have the consistency of putty or cookie dough.)
  • Place on a large piece of waxed paper that has been lightly coated with powdered sugar. Sprinkle some more powdered sugar on top.
  • Roll potato mixture out into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
  • Spread evenly with peanut butter.
  • Starting at a long side, roll up tightly like you would cinnamon rolls. Wrap in wax paper, cut in half and place both pieces in a large ziptop bag.
  • Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve.
  • Remove wax paper and cut into 3/4-inch slices.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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67 Comments

  1. Colleen Starr says:

    I am going to try this…. My aunt, who is 87, said she made these many years ago. Her recipe: ” After we mixed our potatoes with enough powdered sugar, we rolled into balls and dipped in chocolate. Also, added nuts to the balls sometimes, also mint, raspberry, or almond flavoring and colored pink or light green or left them white.” She liked your peanut butter recipe that I just sent her and said maybe it was easier. I may try the peanut butter recipe, roll in balls, chill in fridge and then dip in chocolate. Now I am hungry! LOL

  2. Rosalind Quick says:

    I have also made this potato candy for many years. I have even used left over mashed potatoes. At one point even added cocoa powder for a chocolate version. I don’t have exact measurements on the ingredients. Everyone enjoyed the candy.

    1. Marilyn Sparnicht says:

      The recipe only calls for 3 ingredients, potato, confectioners sugar and peanut butter, nothing else. I have made this with my mother (who went thru the depression) many times!!

      1. Leslie says:

        Did you ever add coconut ? I remember a friends family making them but I never got the recipe right .

  3. Martha Bloomfield says:

    So in the potatoes you stir in the sugar, is that when you add milk and vanilla? Just two spoons full?

    1. Rion says:

      No milk. Maybe a teaspoon of vanilla but not necessary.

  4. Cindy Byrum says:

    How do you beat the potato until itโ€™s lump free with a hand mixer and keep it from going everywhere?

    1. Sarah says:

      Mash with fork first, start slow and bring potatoes to one side, mix and Then stop & mash and remix. Should be smooth enough after a few minutes, go slow and regather potatoes as needed. If you donโ€™t, they spread an fling everywhere. Hope that helps!

      1. Phyllis Byrum Eversole says:

        That’s a good reply for mashing the potatoes.

    2. Kristy says:

      I’ve always found it easier to use a stand mixer or to mash the potatoes by hand before using the hand mixer. It can also be helpful to mash with just your hands.

      1. Kathy Smith says:

        I use cream cheese, along with my potatoes
        and powder sugar vanilla and tablespoon of milk.

    3. Patti says:

      Use a deeper bowl.

  5. Teresa Overholt says:

    My potato candy mixture is runny..HELP

    1. Vicki says:

      Just keep adding confectioners sugar. It does take quite a lot. I just made it for the first time a few minutes ago. Once enough sugar is added, it will thicken up nicely. Good luck!

  6. Ann Motley says:

    For someone with peanut allergy, what can I substitute for the peanut butter.

    1. Riddle says:

      Sun butter is an excellent alternative! It’s completely nut free!

    2. Amber Remillard says:

      I only recently developed a peanut allergy and wow butter tastes exactly like peanut butter but its a soy butter! Its amazing and I use it all the time now lol.

    3. Tammy Ballinger says:

      There is a product called WOWBUTTER. It is a soy based product but it looks and tastes judy like peanut butter. I get mine at Walmart. It costs me less than $4.

  7. Dee Sellers says:

    How many Boxes of powdered sugar is used in this recipe?

  8. Margie says:

    How long will this keep in the refrigerator? How far in advance can I make this and it still be good for the holidays?

    1. Chase Whited says:

      The author says 7-10 days in fridge

  9. Holly says:

    How long does this keep in the refrigerator?

    1. Kyleene says:

      Until it’s all eaten! It never lasts very long at our house. ๐Ÿ˜

    2. Teresa Wells Langley says:

      You can freeze it. I like it better straight from the freezer. It will keep at least a month if you don’t eat it all before then. Slice it into pieces and layer with wax paper. My grandmother always made this but she used a baked potato. I’ll have to try it with a boiled potato.

    3. Patrick Whited says:

      The author says 7-10 days in fridge

  10. Eleanor Troutman says:

    I made it exactly as the recipe and it came out just a bit sticky and I know the potato was a little warm.,Going to make it again and make sure my potato is cool and maybe try 1 T,milk instead of 2.My Mom made this years ago at Christmas.This is a good recipe for someone to try ,even if it doesn’t come out perfect,it will still get eaten.

    1. Steph Conley says:

      I always add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and cream in after I mash my potato tastes so much better .