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Maine Potato Candy

Name: Maine Potato Candy
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 40 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups confectioners' sugar; 4 cups sweetened shredded coconut; 3/4 cup cold mashed potatoes (without added milk and butter); 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 pound dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped

10 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling

Makes

40 servings

Updated: Dec. 05, 2022

Years ago, folks in Maine ate potatoes every day and used leftovers in bread, doughnuts and even candy. This chocolate potato candy recipe captures the old-school flavors. —Barbara Allen, Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Maine Potato Candy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

4 cups confectioners' sugar
4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup cold mashed potatoes (without added milk and butter)
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Line a 9-in. square pan with foil; butter the foil. Spread coconut mixture into pan. Cover and chill overnight. Cut into 2x1-in. rectangles. Cover and freeze.
In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip bars in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to set. Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate Potato Candy Tips

Can you use leftover mashed potatoes to make chocolate potato candy?

While it would be nice to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes to make chocolate potato candy, you really shouldn’t. Cook and mash plain Russet potatoes for this recipe, so you don’t have the garlic, salt, milk and butter that you’d typically find in leftover mashed potatoes. Instead, consider one of these ways to use leftover mashed potatoes, whether it’s for shepherd’s pie or mashed potato cakes.

Can you roll chocolate potato candy into balls instead of cutting it into bars?

If you’d prefer more bite-size treats, you can definitely roll your chocolate potato candy into balls instead. Just keep in mind—when you put each potato candy ball onto the foil to freeze, make sure they’re not touching so they don’t get stuck together.

How long will chocolate potato candy last for?

With time, chocolate potato candy will dry out. For freshest results, eat within 3-5 days. If you liked this chocolate potato candy recipe, try this potato candy recipe with peanut butter next.

—Lauren Pahmeier, Taste of Home Associate Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 155 calories, 7g fat (6g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.