Maybe not as well-known as the cheesesteak, soft pretzel, or Tastykake, the Irish potato confection is a Philadelphia invention - believed to have originated sometime in the late 1900’s born out of the Irish immigrant cultural connection to potatoes. The little potato-looking candy was created as a way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a fun and delicious way. The Irish Potato (which actually has no potato) is made of cream cheese, sugar, and coconut formed into balls and rolled in cinnamon. By the early 1900s, Philadelphia was America’s candy capital. 200 - 300 candy manufacturers called the city home. Some of those candy companies are still in business today, including Asher’s, Whitman’s, Shane Candy Company, and Oh Ryan’s in Linwood. Some use shelf-stable buttercream instead of cream cheese, while others continue to use cream cheese.
IRISH POTATOES (60-Pieces)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flaked coconut
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Mix in flaked coconut.
- Roll mixture into balls or potato shapes; roll balls in cinnamon. Place onto a cookie sheet and chill to set, at least 10 minutes. (Store refrigerated)
WHERE TO FIND IRISH POTATOES
Christopher’s Chocolates (O'Ryan Irish Potato)
3519 West Chester Pike
Newtown Square, PA19073
christopher-chocolates.com
Bevan's Make Your Own Candy
142 E. Baltimore Pike
Media, PA 19063
bevansownmakecandy.com
Shane Confectionary
110 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
shanecandies.com
Mueller - Reading Terminal Market
61 N. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
muellerschocolate.com