Irish Potato Recipe

Irish Potatoes are neither Irish nor potatoes - they're a Pennsylvania confection! We always had these for St. Patrick Day's and Heritage Day in elementary school because, unlike this candy, I'm Irish!

It was my favorite treat to bring into school (much better than the stinky ham and cabbage my mom infamously once made for Heritage Day) and I continued to the tradition in adulthood to make and bring Irish potatoes to work and friends on St. Patrick's Day.

The best part about them? They are cheap, quick and EASY to make. You ready for this six ingredient treat?

IRISH POTATOES

1. 1 8oz package of Cream Cheese (if you wanna be super on brand, grab that Philadelphia Cream Cheese!)

2. 1/4 Cup of Softened Buttered

3. 1 tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract

4. 4 cups of powdered sugar

5. 2 1/2 cups of shredded coconut

6. Cinnamon galore

In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together your cream cheese and softened butter. When it's fully mixed and smooth, add in your teaspoon of vanilla and 4 cups of powdered sugar. I like to add the cups of powdered sugar one at time and continue to mix with my hand mixer in between each cup. I find it so much cleaner and easier. When everything is mixed together, it almost looks like fluffy mashed potatoes (ironic). Then add your 2 and a half cups of coconut and continue to mix until everything is combined.

Next, in a small bowl, add a large pour of cinnamon. You'll be taking approximately 1 inch balls of your coconut cream mixture and rolling them around in the bowl of cinnamon until they are fully coated. This is where it was always fun as a kid to use your hands ;) but if you want a cleaner production, use a small ice cream scoop or spoon. Don't worry about getting them into the perfect shape; as you roll them around in the cinnamon, they'll become more circular. And no two potatoes are alike! Roll and repeat until you are finished!

Add your coated potatoes to a cookie tray, lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the freezer to chill for about 2 hours and voila! You have a delicious, sweet Irish treat for the holiday.

I hope you enjoy! <3