Old-Fashioned Potato Candy is the Nostalgic Dollar Tree Treat You’ll Want to Make This Season
This Depression-era treat is surprisingly delicious—and comes together with just three ingredients
Have you dreamed about whipping up homemade candy for the holidays? Here’s one to try this season: old-fashioned potato candy! It may sound unusual, but it’s a nostalgic delicacy that’s quite simple to make—all you need is a few staples from the Dollar Tree. A dollar store guru on TikTok recently showed her followers how easy it is to whip up the recipe at home. Keep reading to learn more about this historic candy and why you’ll want to give her recipe a try.
What is potato candy?
These old-fashioned treats were first created during the Great Depression, though their exact history is still unknown. It’s believed that cooks in the Appalachian region of the U.S. first created these candies during this time of economic hardship.
One of the reasons this homemade candy became so popular was it was easy and cost-effective to make! Potato candy only requires three ingredients: potatoes, confectioners’ sugar and peanut butter. Since these ingredients are usually household staples, families were able to whip up the sweet treats for children and adults alike to enjoy.
TikToker shows how to make potato candy with Dollar Tree items
Though potato candy has been around for almost 100 years, one savvy shopper decided to give it an even easier spin that’s also budget-friendly! TikTok user @DollarTreeDinners recently made the bite-sized candy as part of her 12 Days of Dollar Tree Christmas Desserts series.
“It’s sweet, nostalgic, no-bake and comes together surprisingly well using Dollar Tree instant mashed potatoes!” she wrote in the caption.
In the video, the shopper purchases a bag of Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes, a bag of premium powdered sugar and a jar of creamy peanut butter from her local Dollar Tree. Then, she shows how the three ingredients come together with just a few easy steps for a creamy and delicious treat.
What people are saying about this nostalgic treat
Never heard of old-fashioned potato candy? You’re in good company! Many people commenting on the TikTok video were surprised by this unusual treat, with several on the fence as to whether or not they would be willing to eat what the original shopper referred to as a delicacy.
“I’m VERY unsure about this,” remarked one person. “But the other comments are calming me.”
Those who are familiar with the nostalgic candy were quick to chime in and reassure the commenter that it’s worth trying.
“Potato candy is so good!” someone responded. “You would have no idea if you didn’t know it was made with potatoes.”
Others were completely tickled to find the recipe again as it brought back warm memories of their childhood.
“I REMEMBER MY GRANDMA MAKING THESE,” a commenter shared. “But I’m allergic to peanut butter, so she would put cinnamon in the middle, and it was SO GOOD, like a cinnamon roll!!! Thank you for making this [because] I guess I know what I’m making tonight.”
The simplicity and affordability of the recipe has encouraged both longtime fans and those discovering it for the first time to give it a try!
How to make old-fashioned potato candy: Dollar Tree recipe
@dollartreedinners Day 4 of my 12 Days of Dollar Tree Christmas Desserts 🎄✨ Today we’re making Old-Fashioned Potato Candy, a vintage holiday treat made with just a few simple ingredients. It’s sweet, nostalgic, no-bake, and comes together surprisingly well using Dollar Tree instant mashed potatoes! INGREDIENTS: • 1/2 Cup Instant mashed potatoes (prepared and cooled) • 4-5 Cups Powdered sugar • Peanut butter (or any nut/seed butter) INSTRUCTIONS: Mix the cooled mashed potatoes with powdered sugar a cup or two at a time until it forms a thick, dough-like consistency. (it will be runny at first but keep adding powdered sugar until it gets thick enough to knead by hand) Dust your surface with powdered sugar and roll the mixture into a rectangle. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter over the top, then gently roll it up into a tight log. Wrap and chill until firm, then slice into sweet little pinwheels. Simple, nostalgic, and surprisingly delicious for how few ingredients it uses 🎁🍬✨ #potatocandy #NoBakeDesserts #ChristmasTreats #dollartreedesserts #12DaysOfDollarTreeDesserts ♬ original sound – Dollar Tree Dinners
Ready to jump on the trend? The shopper provided her followers with a quick recipe for making the candy using the Dollar Tree items. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
- Peanut butter (or Nutella or Marshmallow fluff)
Directions:
- Prepare potatoes according to package directions and let cool.
- Mix the cooled potatoes with powdered sugar a cup at a time until it forms a thick, dough-like consistency.
- Dust the surface you’re working on with more powdered sugar and roll the sugar and potato mixture into a large rectangle.
- Spread a generous layer of peanut butter over the top of the rectangle, then gently roll it up into a tight log.
- Wrap in parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator until firm.
- Slice log into pieces before enjoying.
The result? Gorgeous little pinwheels that taste like a sweet slice of history—all for less than $5!
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