Homemade St. Patrick's Day Goodies!

For those who know me, you know that I can't have a Holiday without making some of my homemade goodies. Since today is St. Patrick's Day, (and what should have been our daughters 11th birthday except she was stubborn and waited 6 more days to make her grand entrance into the world) I've decided to make some Shamrock shaped chocolates and lollipops.

Now being born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love.....Philadelphia, Pa, I couldn't pass up the chance to make some Irish Potatoes! Irish Potatoes have been a tradition in Philadelphia for more than 100 years. Who doesn't love these amazing treats? If you aren't from the Philadelphia area, chances are that many people never heard of this. An Irish Potato isn't a real potato but a wonderful creamy candy that is made on St. Patrick's Day every year. I've had so many compliments over the years when I make these and the same question is always asked....How do you make them?

Here's my St. Patrick's Day treat for you all....

The recipe!

First you will need to purchase these items:

1/4 Cup Butter - softened

1/2 Cup Cream Cheese (8oz package) - softened

*I use Philadelphia Cream Cheese for this Philadelphia Treat!

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

4 Cups Confectioners Sugar

2 1/2 Cups Flaked Coconut

1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

*I use Cinnamon Sugar instead because the kids like it better than the ground cinnamon.

Let's Get Started!

In a medium bowl, add 1/2 cup

 (The entire 8 oz package) of cream cheese.

 Add 1/4 cup butter; Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. 

Add 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Add 4 cups of confectioners sugar.

This next step is very important if you 

want that extra special sweetness!

Add the most adorable and sweetest little assistant to help!

Continue to add confectioners sugar, little by little. 

Continue mixing together until smooth. 

Another important moment

Your assistant will want a little taste test.

What's the verdict on that taste taste?

The results are in......

This cute little guy wearing confectioners sugar

all over his face.....

Says he APRROVES! 

So we may continue!

Looks like the mixture is smooth enough!

Now add 2 1/2 cups of Flaked Coconut.

Mix together with a wooden spoon 

or your hands. 

The mixture looks good! It will be quite sticky,

so cover the bowl and chill in the fridge until chilled.

Once its chilled, remove from fridge

.

Time to make the potato balls.

Take some of the mixture into your hands and make small potato

 or ball shapes by rolling the mixture between the palms of both hands.

 Make them to the size of your liking.

Next, place the potato ball into the ground cinnamon mixture.

Roll gently until covered with cinnamon.

Above is the traditional Irish Potato covered

with ground cinnamon.

Below is a picture of the Irish Potato covered

with cinnamon sugar the way my kiddies like them!

Place the cinnamon covered potato on cookie sheet with wax paper.

Chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them.

Or if you're impatient, just go ahead and eat one right now!

 Yummy!!

And here's what they look like when they are finished!

Ground Cinnamon on left

Cinnamon Sugar on right

Enjoy your Irish Potato Candy! 

Stay tuned for the next post

about my Shamrock Chocolate Candy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!