Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe

If you have a soft spot for nostalgic sweets packed with creamy, comforting flavors, you are going to adore this Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe. This old-fashioned treat takes humble mashed potatoes and transforms them into a silky, sweet dough that perfectly cradles a luscious peanut butter center. The result is a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth candy that’s surprisingly simple to make but endlessly satisfying to share with friends and family. Whether you’re looking for a unique holiday dessert or simply want to surprise your taste buds, this Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe is sure to become a beloved classic in your kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for a handful of straightforward ingredients that come together to create a delightful candy dough that’s soft and easy to work with. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor balance.

• ½ cup plain mashed potatoes (cooled): Provides moisture and a wonderfully smooth base without overpowering the sweetness.
• ½ cup salted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps bind the dough while enhancing flavor.
• 7 cups powdered sugar (plus more for rolling): Sweetens the candy and firms up the dough to a pliable consistency like playdoh.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds a comforting aroma and depth to the candy dough.
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter: The star filling that brings a creamy, nutty contrast to the sweet potato dough.

How to Make Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe

Step 1: Mixing the Base Dough

Start by combining the cooled mashed potatoes with softened butter, vanilla extract, and one cup of powdered sugar using an electric mixer. This gives you a soft, creamy base. The potatoes add a bit of moisture and fluffiness, while butter and vanilla ensure the flavor is rich and inviting.

Step 2: Adding the Remaining Powdered Sugar

Add the remaining six cups of powdered sugar gradually, one cup at a time. This ensures the dough is not sticky and forms a smooth texture resembling playdoh. This step is crucial because the dough needs to hold together without crumbling, making it easy to roll out later.

Step 3: Chilling the Dough

Once fully mixed, cover the dough and refrigerate it for one hour. The chill firms up the dough, making it easier to handle when rolling out. It also helps all the flavors settle and meld beautifully.

Step 4: Dividing the Dough

After chilling, split the dough into two equal halves. Working with smaller portions makes rolling and filling more manageable, especially since this dough can be delicate once rolled out thin.

Step 5: Rolling Out the Dough

On a surface dusted generously with powdered sugar, roll out one half of the dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. It’s important to keep dusting your surface and dough to prevent sticking. Work quickly here to avoid the dough drying or cracking.

Step 6: Spreading the Peanut Butter Filling

Spread half of the creamy peanut butter evenly across the rolled dough, ensuring you reach the edges. The peanut butter brings a luscious, slightly salty creaminess that perfectly balances the sweet potato dough.

Step 7: Rolling the Candy Log

Starting from the longer side, use the parchment paper to carefully roll the dough into a tight log. The roll should be snug enough to hold the peanut butter inside without gaps but gentle enough to keep the dough intact.

Step 8: Refrigerating the Rolled Log

Wrap your rolled log tightly in parchment paper and refrigerate it for another hour. This chilling step gives the candy logs time to set and firm up, making slicing easier without crumbling.

Step 9: Repeat for the Second Half

Repeat the rolling, filling, and chilling process with the second half of your dough and remaining peanut butter. This yields two candy logs ready to slice into bite-sized pieces.

Step 10: Slicing Into Pieces

Once chilled, unwrap your logs and slice them into half-inch thick pieces. These little pinwheels are perfect for serving at gatherings or gifting to friends as a retro homemade treat.

How to Serve Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe

Garnishes

Adding a light sprinkle of powdered sugar over the slices immediately before serving gives them a festive snow-kissed look. For an extra touch, you can drizzle melted chocolate on top or press a few chopped peanuts onto each piece to add texture and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Potato candy pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee, balancing the sweetness with warmth and slight bitterness. It also makes a charming companion to a simple fruit salad or fresh berries, creating a well-rounded dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange the candy slices in a spiral pattern on a decorative platter or layer them in a clear jar with festive ribbons for a charming edible gift. You can also stack a few pieces with layers of wax paper in a pretty box to make taking them on-the-go a breeze.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Keeping it chilled helps maintain its shape and prevents the peanut butter from becoming too soft.

Freezing

You can freeze the rolled logs wrapped securely in parchment paper and then foil for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge and slice as usual. This is a great way to prepare in advance for holidays or special events.

Reheating

Because this candy is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, reheating is not recommended. Letting frozen candy thaw gently in the fridge preserves its perfect texture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?

Sweet potatoes have a stronger flavor and higher moisture content, which might change the dough’s texture and sweetness. While you can experiment, plain mashed potatoes give the most traditional, balanced result for this recipe.

Is it necessary to use salted butter?

Salted butter adds a subtle savory note that complements the sweetness of the candy, but if you only have unsalted butter, just add a pinch of salt to the dough to replicate the flavor balance.

Can I substitute peanut butter with another filling?

Absolutely! While peanut butter is classic in this Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe, you can try Nutella, almond butter, or even a fruit preserves spread to mix up flavors and keep things interesting.

What if my dough is too sticky?

If the dough feels too sticky to work with, gradually add more powdered sugar until it firms up to a playdoh-like consistency. Dusting your work surface liberally also helps manage stickiness during rolling.

Is this candy safe for people with peanut allergies?

Since peanut butter is a key ingredient in this recipe, it is not safe for those with peanut allergies. However, you could substitute the filling with sunflower seed butter or a similar nut-free spread to accommodate allergies.

Final Thoughts

Making this Potato Candy with Peanut Butter Filling Recipe is like stepping into a sweet memory lane filled with comfort and joy. It’s such a fun, simple treat to craft and share, bringing together the nostalgic flavors of peanut butter and subtle sweetness of potatoes in a delightful candy form. I absolutely encourage you to try it out—whether for a holiday party, a casual snack, or a special homemade gift. Once you taste it, I’m sure it will find a permanent spot in your recipe collection and your heart.

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