Have you heard of Potato candy? If so, did you like?

image from Pinterest 

      ​      23 degrees this morning at 8:00 AM but clear, blue sky and no wind.  Suppose to be a high of 40 today.  Doesn’t seem like Christmas what is the count down 10 days.   Enjoy the day and stay warm.
     My mom was a great candy maker, but this candy I have never heard of.  How about you?  Let me know so I can try it if it is good.  Chocolate, coconut and mashed potatoes? 
A unique potato candy made with a mashed potato and coconut center, Needhams Potato Candy is a fun candy treat, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century.
For the best homemade Needhams, start with warm (not hot) mashed potato. Make a batch for someone you love—much more thoughtful than buying chocolate candies at the store!
Ingredients
1 bag (2 pounds) confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup warm mashed potatoes (plain mashed potatoes with no milk or butter added)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
1 bag (14-ounces) sweetened flaked coconut
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
Instructions
Butter a rimmed 15½x10 ½-inch baking pan (try a jellyroll pan) and set aside. (A 9x13-inch pan will also do, but the Needhams will be thicker.) In a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add confectioners’ sugar, potatoes, melted butter, coconut, vanilla, and salt. Mix on low speed (mixture will be very dry at first) until a thick paste forms; then increase the speed for 30 seconds, or until all of the sugar is completely incorporated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, and press down evenly. Let mixture set and firm up at room temperature for about 1 hour. Then, cut into small, even squares.
Melt unsweetened chocolate and chocolate chips in a double boiler over not-quite-simmering water until smooth; then remove from the heat and add shortening, stirring vigorously until shiny.
Place one coconut/potato square onto the tines of a fork and lower into the chocolate until coated; lift it and let the excess chocolate drip back into the pot. Transfer square to a sheet of parchment to harden, about 1 hour. Repeat with the remaining squares. Store in an airtight container for up to two days for the best flavor and appearance.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/recipe/needhams-potato-candy
Till next time, this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337   cell 641-903-9365