Have you ever thought of trying a potato candy recipe? When you want to impress someone with gourmet candy, make one of these easy recipes, which are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.
Coconut Bars
Ingredients You Will Need:
½ cup cold mashed potatoes
1 pound powdered sugar
1 package flaked coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 squares semi-sweet chocolate
½ cup chopped pecans
½ teaspoon salt
Mix the potatoes and the powdered sugar until the sugar has been moistened and the mixture sticks together in one big ball. Stir in the coconut, vanilla and salt. Mix until well blended. Press the coconut potato mixture into a lightly buttered pan, and sprinkle the pecans over the top. Melt the chocolate, and drizzle it over the top. Cool and cut into squares.
Because coconut dries out quickly, either cut the candy into squares and wrap each one, or keep the pan tightly covered.
Potato Peanut Butter Pinwheels
Ingredients You Will Need:
1 medium potato, boiled and cooled
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 jar chunky peanut butter
1 jar grape jelly, tiny candies, chopped candy cane or nuts (optional)
Use a large bowl to combine the potato and sugar. Beat until creamy. Spread a sheet of wax paper in a cookie sheet, and dump the potato-sugar mixture in the pan. Spread it evenly, and then cover it with a second sheet of waxed paper. Refrigerate for several hours. Remove the top sheet of waxed paper, and spread the peanut butter over the surface of the potato mixture.
Any type of filling can be used in peanut butter pinwheels. Try crushed candies, chopped nuts, jelly or raisins and chocolate chips.
Starting on the long side of the pan, begin rolling the sweet treat. When you have rolled a large log, similar to a jelly roll, wrap it in waxed paper and refrigerate until chilled. Cut the log into slices that are about one half-inch in width.
Store the pinwheels in an airtight container, or wrap each one individually. If wrapping them individually, you may want to cut the slices a bit thicker and then wrap them like hard candies are wrapped, with ties on opposite sides. Use ribbon to tie each side.
If you cut the pinwheels into half-inch slides, it is best to cut a piece of cardboard the exact size of the round candy, and place the pinwheel on it before wrapping it. This will offer stability so that the pinwheel doesn't bend or get messed up. You can also use one piece of cardboard and two pinwheels, with one on either side of the cardboard.
 | Candy making can be fun for beginners, and the many varieties of homemade candies make it an ongoing challenge for the veteran. Christmas is the time of year most people try their hand at old-fashioned candies, such as divinity, peanut brittle, chocolate fudge, logs and southern pralines. Year round, these goodies can bring a smile of delight to the sweets lover. Valentine's Day is the perfect time for making gourmet candies like truffles, butter toffee and lollipops. Halloween calls for caramel, peanut clusters and popcorn balls. |
 | Making chocolate candy bars is not an easy or cheap task. It can be a time-consuming and tedious process. But chocolate made from scratch, without the added waxes and unnecessary flavors, is worth the extra work. |
 | If you're looking for a holiday gift that's inexpensive and homey, consider learning how to make caramel. Buttery and sweet, milk caramels are easy to make and fun to eat. Once you try these recipes, you'll be hooked, and a holiday tradition will be in place. |
If you want to impress your guests, try making these easy homemade marshmallows. They're perfect for topping off a cup of hot chocolate or for simply popping into your mouth as a quick treat. Making marshmallows is simple, and you'll savor the light, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness so much more. |
Easy homemade vegan candy like nut brittles and fruit glace can be a great addition to your kitchen repertoire. Vegans and non-vegans alike are sure to smile when they catch a glimpse, a whiff, or a taste of homemade candy. |
