Appalachian Potato Candy 

Appalachian Potato Candy 

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Appalachian Potato Candy  A Depression-era delicacy with humble roots—sweet, creamy, and surprisingly addictive! This no-bake treat combines mashed potato dough with peanut butter for a unique candy that’s chewy, rich, and nostalgic.

Why You’ll Love It

✨ 3-ingredient magic – Potato, powdered sugar, peanut butter.
🕰 Historic recipe – A thrifty Appalachian tradition.
🥜 Perfect salty-sweet balance – Like a peanut butter roll meets marzipan.
🍽 No oven needed – Great for hot days or kitchen beginners.

Ingredients

(Makes ~20 slices)

  • 1 small russet potato (~150g cooked & mashed)

  • 4-5 cups powdered sugar (adjust for dough consistency)

  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter (or almond butter for variation)

  • Extra powdered sugar for dusting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Potato

  • Peel, boil, and mash 1 small potato until completely smooth. Let cool.

2. Make the Dough

  • Gradually mix powdered sugar into the potato until it forms a stiff, playdough-like consistency *(about 4-5 cups)*.

    • Tip: It’ll look watery at first—keep adding sugar!

3. Roll & Fill

  1. Dust a surface with powdered sugar. Roll dough into a ¼-inch-thick rectangle.

  2. Spread peanut butter evenly, leaving a 1-inch border on one long edge.

  3. Use a sugared spatula to lift and tightly roll into a log.

4. Chill & Slice

  • Refrigerate for 2+ hours (or freeze 30 mins) until firm.

  • Slice into ½-inch rounds with a hot knife (wiped clean between cuts).

Pro Tips

 Potato size matters: Too large = overly sticky dough.
Smooth peanut butter works best—avoid natural/oily kinds.
Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 1 week.

Variations

 Chocolate Swirl: Add cocoa powder to half the dough.
Maple Cinnamon: Replace PB with maple syrup + cinnamon.
Nut-Free: Use sunflower seed butter.

Fun Fact

Born from Great Depression ingenuity, this candy stretched cheap staples (potatoes, sugar, home-canned PB) into a sweet treat. Some versions even used leftover mashed potatoes!

More Historic Recipes:
🥧 Vinegar Pie
🍞 Depression-Era Bread
🍎 Mock Apple Pie (Ritz Crackers!)

More Easy TikTok Recipes to Try:

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