A sweet Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day tradition.
Irish potatoes are a uniquely Philadelphia treat for St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s the sweet and creamy coconut Philly Irish potato candy recipe you need, with pro tips for perfect results.Â
All About Philadelphia’s Sweet Irish Potato Confection
Irish potatoes are a uniquely Philadelphia sweet coconut Irish potato treat for St. Patrick’s Day. These little balls of goodness are made by combining sweet coconut, cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. The coconut balls are then rolled in cinnamon.
The result? A little buttercream candy that looks like a tiny potato and tastes like pure joy.
Irish potatoes are neither Irish nor potatoes. And yet this sweet, no-bake confection makes one of the Philadelphia area’s most beloved St. Patrick’s Day food traditions. Learn the origin story of St. Patrick’s Day Irish potatoes candy below, and get the recipe.
What Are Philadelphia Irish Potatoes? Candy? Potatoes?
At their most basic, Irish potato candy can be described as little coconut cream cheese buttercream balls rolled in cinnamon. The result looks like a little potato just plucked from the earth.
Irish potatoes contain no potatoes. Irish potatoes are not from Ireland.
Is Irish Potato Candy Irish? Not really.
The history of Philadelphia’s Irish potato candy — as opposed to actual Irish potato dishes like shepherd’s pie or colcannon —Â is a little complex, murky, and interesting. First thing to know? Irish potato candy is also not authentically Irish.
Food writer Daniela Galarza wrote an excellent, well-researched piece a few years ago on Irish potato candy and its Philadelphia roots. According to Galarza’s research, Irish potatoes are definitively not Irish.
Rather, the sweet coconut cream confections emerged at the intersection of 1) a huge wave of mid- to late-19th century Irish immigration, and 2) Philadelphia’s place as the candy capital of the United States.
Irish potato candy’s origin in Philly was a way to fill the candy hole between Valentine’s Day and Easter.
At one time, the Philadelphia area boasted between 200 and 300 candy companies. Many Irish immigrants worked at the candy factories. Theories of Irish potato invention differ. However, Philadelphia candy maker Dave Lamparelli, founder of Oh Ryan’s (which sells around 2.5 million Irish spuds per year), speculates that Irish potatoes emerged as a candy-selling opportunity to bridge the dead period between Valentine’s Day and Easter.
Candy makers found a way to sell a treat in this otherwise low season, using the same filling as traditional chocolate-coated coconut buttercreams. Coating the treat in cinnamon — for a dirt-covered potato aesthetic — recalled Ireland’s famous potato identity, for better or worse since the immigration wave was largely caused by the potato famine.
Authentic Philly Irish Potato Candy: Recipe Notes
This Irish potato candy recipe is simple to follow, and makes a fun, no-bake holiday dessert project for any age — especially kids. This recipe comes direct from my mom, who has made these for years, to great acclaim.
Growing up, I always loved when Irish potato season came around. To me, Irish potatoes were (are?) one of the very best parts of St. Patrick’s Day, along with fresh-from-the-oven soda bread. My mom got the recipe from a friend years ago.
How to Make Philadelphia Irish Potatoes: Recipe Tips
- The coconut buttercream”dough” comes together in a couple of minutes. You will want to ensure that the butter and cream cheese are softened, so they emulsify with the powdered sugar and sweetened coconut.
- Cover and chill the dough so it firms up enough to scoop and roll. This helps the buttercream balls keep their shape before rolling in cinnamon.
Rolling the coconut buttercream dough in raw cinnamon may seem aggressive, but the cinnamon is not overpowering. The spice cuts through the sweetness of the coconut filling in just the right proportion.
Love this Philly Irish Potato candy recipe? More essential Irish recipes for St. Patrick’s Day:
- Beef and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
- Irish Soda Bread, 2 Ways
- Simple Boiled Boiled Potatoes With Herbs
- Guinness Chocolate Stout Cake
Philly Irish Potato Candy
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce package Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick (4 ounces; 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 32 ounces powdered sugar
- 7 ounces sweetened flake coconut
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- pinch kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons (more or less) ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the cinnamon in a mixer. Mix on the lowest setting until the powdered sugar looks just incorporated. Scrape the bowl and mix on low until completely smooth and fully emulsified. Cover and chill for one hour.
- Use a teaspoon or small cookie scoop to scoop and roll small, tablespoon-sized rounds of coconut "dough." Roll in cinnamon and tap off the excess. You may not use all the cinnamon, but you need extra enough to roll the buttercream balls.
- Serve chilled or at very cool room temperature. PRO TIP: Irish potatoes can be frozen and thawed in the refrigerator overnight.
I grew up at the Jersey shore and always loved these so much. These are the real deal and so good!!
My favorite! Can’t wait to make these again for St. Patrick’s Day. This is a big recipe, so I will do half.
Irish potatoes are delicious and I am glad to have this good recipe since I used to buy them when I lived in the Philadelphia region where I grew up, but can’t get them now that I live in Michigan! To anyone who hasn’t ever had these: You won’t be disappointed. They are like Easter coconut buttercream but rolled in cinnamon instead of dipped in chocolate.
These are very authentic and exactly what I remember growing up in the Philly area! Better the next day, in my opinion, when they dry out just a little.
Love that they taste just like your childhood memories! Thanks for writing this.
Very good. Definitely important to tap off the excess cinnamon so it’s not too strong 🙂