I am Irish, on my father’s side. So, more appropriately, I’m Irish American (among other things). Even more specifically, I am Irish Philadelphian. (Yes, I may have made that phrase up. But there are a bunch of us so I think the phrase should exist.)
Now I’m sure you were very interested in what my heritage is, but there is a reason I’m telling you this. Philadelphia has this… candy? dessert? … we will go with “treat”… called an Irish Potato. It’s cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and coconut rolled into a little ball and coated in cinnamon. So it ends up looking kind of like a potato, hence the name.
A super cute potato, that is
I’m under the impression this treat is essentially a Philadelphia-only thing. Friends from New York and D.C. both look at me like I’m crazy when I bring these up. But they are delicious and an integral part of every St. Patrick’s Day for me, so I needed to share them!
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups sweetened coconut, lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Irish Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups sweetened coconut lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder optional
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- To make, add the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla to a bowl and beat on medium until well combined.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing in between each additional cup.
- Add the coconut and mix to combine.
- Put the bowl in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes (or however long it takes you to clean up and clear your work space).
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Add the cocoa powder and cinnamon to a small bowl and mix to combine.
- Take the coconut mixture out of the refrigerator and get ready to get very sticky. Form the coconut mixture into tiny balls, slightly bigger than a melon baller.
- Roll the coconut balls in the cinnamon-cocoa mixture and place on the parchment paper.
Notes
Cool little treat for St Patrick’s Day…. Irish Philadelphian is also cool.
A little of topic but the Irish Famine memorial in Philadelphia is an amazing and moving thing. So I guess you Philadelphian have gotten a lot about being Irish right LOL
These look so cute and delicious – totally festive and never did potatoes looks so awesome 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Tropical Caramelised Baked German Pancake
I am so happy you posted this recipe. Years ago I worked in a bakery outside of Philly and we made these for St. Patty’s Day. I never actually made them nor paid any attention in to what went in them but I ate a ton. Since then I have searched for a recipe. These are a super good treat!
Wow! I’ve been to Ireland, but I never saw these while I was there! Looks delicious, and very pretty!
I’ve never heard of these but I totally want to eat one. Seems like a fantastic way to celebrate to me. 🙂
Very nice! I’ll be making these at the weekend, thanks very much!!
The butter & vanilla do not have to be used (they make it too sticky & there’s no difference in taste). Also, TRUE Philadelphia Irish Potatoes don’t use the cocoa, just the cinnamon. (the ones sold in grocery stores contain raw egg!) I make these every year in honor of my mother.
Mother Anne Fletcher’s recipe:
— 1 block of cream cheese (8 oz)
— 2 lbs powdered sugar
— 1 sm bag of coconut
Put a little cinnamon (just a few shakes) in a snack size zip lock bag. Shake 4-6 ‘potatoes’ at a time. When the cinnamon starts to look grainy, toss & use another bag of cinnamon.
I grew up in Upper Darby, just outside Philadelphia; I had a recipe from the Inquirer and made them in ’76 but, later on , lost the recipe; I don’t remember using any cream cheese, for some reason, i thought the recipe had condensed milk just enough to bind things together and the confectioner’s sugar and coconut, but i could be wrong; anyway, that’s how i made it a few times later on; I’m happy to see other people who know about this great confection!
Philadelphia’s great!
I saw a recipe for that a few years ago. You’re not wrong. 🙂 I’m from Pittsburgh and have had them since the 80s.
I just made this recipe. It was super easy to make. I made mine and put them in the tiny candy paper cups. They are chilling now but I snitched a few little bites and they are going to be fantastic! Every year I buy them and they are expensive and don ‘t have this freshness..
From Philly to you, go ahead and enjoy our special Irish Potatoes. Wonderful recipe!
I been making the irish potatoes for years with my kids now its been a great tradition that they are going to pass on to their kids and we made it the same way you have it’s a great way to keep the family together