Irish Potato Candy

As everyone should be aware, St Patrick's Day is coming up! So I found this wonderful and easy (though a bit time consuming) candy you can make a few days ahead of time for all your St Patty's Party needs.

Irish Potato Candy:

1⁄4 cup softened butter

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar

7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut (2 1/2 cups)

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions

NOTE: Be sure to use regular cream cheese, not whipped or reduced fat type.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese.

Add vanilla and confectioners' sugar.

Beat until mixture forms a ball.

Stir in coconut with a spoon.

Roll the mixture between your hands to form small potato-shaped candies or roll into small balls.

Place cinnamon in a shallow dish and roll the balls in it.

Place the balls on a cookie sheet and chill for about 1 hour or until firm.

If you prefer "dirtier potatoes" roll the candy a second time after they have chilled.

Alternatively dip in melted chocolate for Easter eggs.

Ready for the Fridge!

I don't care for Cinnamon enough for that to be the only thing on the outside of these candies, so I halves the cinnamon with cocoa. Unfortunately, I only have unsweetened cocoa, it would have been better with sweetened cocoa.

This look like little mini potatoes (or moose turds, depending on who you ask) and they taste is very nice. I think that next time I make them, I will pulse the coconut in the food processer a little bit to ensure a nice potato shape without any wild "roots" popping out as well as use a sweetened cocoa with a little less cinnamon.

Here is one in all its glory!

Until next time, cook it up!