Old-Fashioned Potato Candy (It Tastes Like a Reese’s!)

When I was a little girl, my step-grandma used to make potato candy every Christmas. It was soft and sugary, with a rich peanut butter center — kind of like a white chocolate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

Years later, after she passed, I wanted to make it myself. My stepmom remembered what went in it — mashed potatoes, powdered sugar, peanut butter — but not how much of anything.

I tried over and over again, and so did my sister, but we always ended up with a soupy mess! I thought the recipe was lost.

Then one day, while flipping through an old Jean Paré cookbook, I found a recipe for “Pinwheels”. That was it!!

I made a batch and gave it to my sister for Christmas. She couldn’t believe I had recreated it!!

Sadly, I don’t make it much anymore — just me and my sister like it. My boys won’t even try it – the mashed potatoes make them a little leery, I guess.

But if you like white chocolate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (or you have leftover mashed potatoes and are wondering what to do with them!) then you’ve got to give Potato Candy a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Old-fashioned and nostalgic: This recipe comes straight from my childhood — a sweet little memory wrapped in peanut butter and sugar.
• Made with simple ingredients: All you need are mashed potatoes, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and a couple pantry staples.
• No baking required: Just mix, roll, chill, and slice. It’s the easiest homemade candy you’ll ever make.
• Surprisingly delicious: If you like white Reese’s, this will be right up your alley — rich, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet.
• Perfect for using leftovers: Got extra mashed potatoes after a big dinner? This is a fun way to turn them into something special.

Ingredients

You only need a handful of pantry staples to make this old-fashioned potato candy. Just be sure to use real mashed potatoes — instant won’t work here!

• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar – Plus more for kneading and dusting
• 1/3 cup mashed potatoes – Use real mashed potatoes, not instant or boxed
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

That’s it! Simple, sweet, and exactly how I remember it from my grandma’s kitchen.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This candy may look fancy, but it’s actually really simple to make. Follow these steps, and you’ll have soft, sweet pinwheels in no time — no baking required!

Step 1: Mix the dough

In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until everything is well blended.

Step 2: Knead until smooth

Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with powdered sugar. Knead gently until smooth and pliable, adding more powdered sugar if it’s too sticky.

Step 3: Divide the dough

Once smooth, divide the dough into three equal portions to make rolling and shaping easier.

Step 4: Roll it out

Roll one portion into a rectangle about 5×8 inches and ⅛ inch thick. Dust your surface and rolling pin with more powdered sugar if needed.

Step 5: Add the peanut butter

Spread about 1½ tablespoons of creamy peanut butter evenly over the surface of the dough.

Step 6: Roll it up

Starting from the long side, roll the dough up tightly like a jelly roll.

Step 7: Wrap and chill

Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to chill until firm. This makes it easier to slice later.

Step 8: Repeat

Repeat steps 4 through 7 with the remaining two portions of dough.

Step 9: Slice and serve

Once chilled, unwrap each roll and cut it into ¼-inch pinwheels. Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips

Potato candy is simple, but it can be a little fussy the first time you make it. (Or if you haven’t made it in a while, LOL).

These tips will help you get it just right on the first try.

• Use real mashed potatoes: Leftover mashed potatoes work great — just make sure they’re plain (no butter, cream, or seasonings added). Instant potatoes won’t hold the dough together the same way.
• Don’t skip the kneading: It might seem like a strange step for candy, but kneading is what helps the dough come together. Keep adding powdered sugar a little at a time until it’s no longer sticky.
• Roll gently and evenly: If your dough sticks, add a bit more powdered sugar to your rolling surface. A pastry mat can help make cleanup easier too.
• Chill thoroughly before slicing: This makes it so much easier to get clean, even pinwheels without squishing the roll.
• Try a twist: Swap out the peanut butter for Nutella, almond butter, or a nut-free spread if needed. You could even drizzle the slices with melted chocolate once they’re chilled for a fancier touch.
• Protect it in the freezer: If you freeze the rolls, make sure nothing heavy gets set on top of them. (One year, my kids tossed a tub of ice cream on mine and flattened the whole batch!)

Once you get the feel for the dough, this recipe comes together fast — and it’s a fun one to pass down or just make once for the memory.

Storage Tips

Potato candy keeps well in the fridge or freezer, which makes it great for make-ahead holiday treats.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper between layers. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for about a week.
• Freezer: You can freeze the whole roll or slice it first — either way works.
• – If you freeze the roll, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in a freezer-safe container.
• – If you prefer to slice it first, lay the pinwheels flat in a container or baggie so they don’t stick together.

Let the candy come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Slow Down and Savor It

Potato candy might not be everyone’s favorite — but for me and my sister, it’s a sweet little bite of our childhood. Every time I make it, I’m reminded of my step-grandma in her kitchen, and the joy of finally recreating something I thought was lost.

If you’ve got leftover mashed potatoes, or you just love old-fashioned recipes with a story, give this one a try. Even if you only make it once, you’ll be carrying on a little piece of tradition — and that’s always worth savoring.

More Old-Fashioned Recipes

If you love vintage treats and forgotten favorites, here are a few more old-fashioned recipes you might enjoy:

Old-Fashioned Christmas Treats

Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Pie Recipes

Peanut Butter Bars (Better than a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup!)

Grandma’s Rhubarb Crunch

Old-Fashioned Puppy Chow

These simple, comforting recipes are a sweet way to keep the past alive — one bite at a time.