This Old Fashioned Easter Egg Candy is a generations-old family recipe. We make it every year for Easter and it never lasts long. Don’t be alarmed by the mashed potatoes that the recipe calls for, they are a critical ingredient that I was skeptical of at first, but you’ll never be able to even tell that they’re mixed in the filling!
This old fashioned Easter egg candy is a generations-old recipe that has been in my family for a long time. It’s amazing, highly coveted by family friends, and it also includes a critical secret ingredient that you might have not seen coming.
Potatoes.
Believe it or not, the filling for these Easter Egg Candies is made partly of mashed potatoes.
I’ll be the first to admit that I had was severely skeptical the first time my mom showed me how to make this candy. When she started to peel the potatoes I thought she was joking, and I also thought there was no chance I would ever eat a candy that had anything to do with potatoes.
I was wrong.
The potatoes mostly serve for binding together the otherwise very sweet, sugary filling for these Easter Egg Candies. It’s untraceable in the finished product, and I encourage you to see if your guests can figure out what the “secret ingredient” actually is.
Tips for Making Old Fashioned Easter Egg Candy
- To make the potatoes, peel them, dice them into even-sized cubes, and boil them until tender when pierced with a fork, then drain and allow them to cool completely before mashing. You must make fresh mashed potatoes specifically for this recipe, don’t use leftover, seasoned mashed potatoes that may have other ingredients (milk, pepper, garlic, etc.) mixed in.
- Let the potatoes cool completely. Don’t refrigerate them, just leave them at room temperature once you’ve drained them until they are completely cooled, and then mash them until no lumps remain.
- Add more sugar as needed. The dough will need to chill before you can roll it into eggs and it will be too tacky when first mixed up, but it should be somewhat shapeable. If it’s too runny, add more sugar, up to 2 cups more.
- Dust your hands with powdered sugar when rolling the eggs — the dough won’t stick to your hands and you’ll get nice smooth easter eggs that way.
- My grandmother’s recipe used unsweetened chocolate for the coating, as the filling can be very sweet and the unsweetened chocolate helps temper the sweetness. My family found the unsweetened chocolate to be much too bitter, and so I recommend using semisweet chips instead.
- I thin my chocolate a bit with a teaspoon of shortening, it helps the chocolate cover the eggs more neatly, but is optional (my grandmother’s recipe used paraffin wax.
Enjoy!
Old Fashioned Easter Egg Candy
Ingredients
- ½ cup (115 g) plain mashed potatoes, completely cooled see note
- ½ cup (1 stick) (113 g) unsalted butter softened
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 5 cups (625 g) powdered sugar plus additional as needed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 12 oz (340 g) chocolate bars coarsely chopped (I like to use Ghirardelli 65% dark chocolate, see note if using chocolate chips)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer or stand mixer (with paddle attachment), stir together mashed potatoes, butter, salt and 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar until completely combined.½ cup (115 g) plain mashed potatoes, completely cooled, ½ cup (1 stick) (113 g) unsalted butter, ¼ teaspoon table salt, 5 cups (625 g) powdered sugar
- With mixer on low-speed, add in remaining sugar, 1 cup (125g) at a time.
- Stir in vanilla extract and check the consistency of the batter. It should be cohesive and will be sticky at this point but should not be runny/separating. If it is runny, add additional powdered sugar as needed.2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Cover and refrigerate filling for at least 1 hour.
- Once chilled, scoop dough by 1 ½ Tablespoon and roll between your hands into egg shape. Place eggs on wax-paper lined cookie tray. If dough is still sticky, chill for longer or dust your hands with powdered sugar before rolling. Return eggs to the refrigerator while you prepare the chocolate coating
- Place chopped chocolate in a double boiler (see note to microwave instead) over simmering water and stir constantly until melted.12 oz (340 g) chocolate bars
- Remove eggs from the refrigerator. Dip a fork in chocolte then place the egg on the tines of the fork. Use a spoon to drizzle chocolate all over the egg until coated, then slide back onto the baking sheet to allow the chocolate to harden before enjoying.
- Return eggs to the refrigerator and refrigerate until chocolate coating has hardened.
Notes
Notes on potatoes
Use russet potatoes for best results. I recommend piercing the potato all over with a fork and baking in the microwave for approximately 4 minutes on each side until potato is tender when pierced with a fork. No salt/pepper or any other flavoring should be added. Potatoes that have been peeled, boiled and mashed will also work but periodically they retain too much moisture and the batter will be too runny to manage. Allow potatoes to cool completely before adding sugar. Otherwise they will melt the sugar and you will end up with a very runny mess. I recommend allowing them to cool at room temperature rather than the fridge, as sometimes the condensation from the fridge can also make the mixture runny.Chocolate Notes
Dark chocolate is best as this candy is very sweet and the dark chocolate keeps it from being too sweet. My grandmother's original recipe uses unsweetened chocolate, which I sometimes use, too! Dark or semisweet chocolate chips will work in a pinch, though the chocolate doesn't melt as nicely. I will usually add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil in with the chocolate to thin it a bit, making it easier to pour and coat the eggs.Microwave instead of double boiler
If using the microwave to melt the chocolate, simply place in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until completely melted.Potato Candy Variations
Another variation of this candy can be made by rolling the filling into cigar shapes and rolling in 2 Tablespoons of cinnamon for Cinnamon Cigar Candy or you can roll into a sheet, spread with peanut butter, and roll into a log and slice for peanut butter pinwheel potato candy.Storing
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eggs will keep for at least one week.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Recipe originally published April 19, 2014. Photos and some text updated March 19, 2018.
Sharon
My mother used to make 1 larger potato egg for each of my siblings and I at Easter. She would then hide the eggs in separate locations and give each of us our own nursery rhyme clues to the location of “our” egg. Her version of an easter egg hunt. Lovely memories!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
What a fun tradition! We love that. Thanks for commenting, Sharon 🩷
Theresa Crawford
We made these years ago for the kiddos at school and church. but I haven’t made them for a long time. I’m wondering, if they can be frozen?
Sam
Hi Theresa! I haven’t personally tried freezing it, but I don’t foresee any issues doing so. 🙂
TR Sayre
Thanks a bundle for sharing recipe. didn’t have anyone to teach me.
recipe is super easy and soo yummy!!
Sam
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Terri White
In the time it took me to read this post and everyone’s comments, I have gone from “POTATO candy?!” to, “I can’t wait to try these! Flats with peppermint flavoring (Junior mints, anyone?) flats with coconut flavoring! Delicious rounds with vanilla. I may make mine tiny for more poppability!
D
I haven’t rated the recipe yet, as I haven’t made it yet, but plan to in the future… whether near, or far, hopefully I won’t forget I saved this recipe to try it. Being 100% Portuguese (1st born generation born in the States), I am no stranger to potatoes. Potatoes are a staple in traditional Portuguese dishes. I’m not quite sure why, or the history behind it, either, sadly. Having said that, one would think that would also include some potato candy, or desserts, but I have yet to find any from my heritage. Not to knock Portuguese sweet delicacies. One of their most famous is an egg custard cup.
I’m excited to try this, though. Reading through the blog entry, instructions and recipe, I noticed you don’t mention a type of potato. Does that not matter? Are some species better than others? Thanks.
Sam
Hi D! I recommend russet potatoes and mention this in the notes but most varieties will work. I really hope you love them!
D
Oof! I must have missed that part, then… eek, my mistake! Thank you so much, Sam!
Carolyn
This brought back memories! My mom made potato candy at Easter, but instead of egg shaped, she made flat rounds, then coloured some of the dough yellow and put a dollop on the flat round. Voila! Fried eggs!
Sam
That sounds awesome! 🙂
Diane
You have encouraged me to make Potato Candy. I love this at certain times of the year. I am 70….but shhhh I don’t want to blow my cover. I have read your helps and hinders. My first batch will hopefully be this week-end. Thanks for all that help and suggestions. I will try to let you know how it turns out.
Sam
I really hope you love it, Diane, thank you so much for commenting!
Felyx
I wonder if you, or anyone else, has attempted this recipe or ones like it with instant potatoes. You talked in your potato candy recipe about having issues with the recipe coming out too watery no matter what, and i’m curious if it may have to do with the moisture in the potatoes themselves and wonder if a powdered option would solve that issue. Regardless cant wait to try the recipe!!
Sam
Hi Felyx! I have not tried it with instant potatoes. If you do I would love to know how it turns out. 🙂
Doreen
Can I add coconut and how much to this recipe do you think I’d need?
Sam
Hi Doreen! That should work. I haven’t tried it so I would just kind of eyeball it. I would start with less and add more if needed. Try not to overwhelm the dough or it will crumble. 🙂
Pam E.
I hate to admit my age, but it’ll show in this comment 😅
I have been making mashed potato candy for decades, taught to me by my late uncle. When I first started making this, I was too young to even question it. So now it’s so funny to me when younger generations discover that you really can make candy with it 🤣
Thank you for sharing this recipe and bringing back fond memories 💕🙏
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy our recipe brought back sweet memories for you, Pam ❤️
Marsha
If I want larger eggs–bigger than the 1 1/2 Tbl spoons–do I need to do anything differently?
I’m so excited to try this!
Sam
Hi Marsha! You can just scoop them bigger. I hope you love it! 🙂
Audrey
Paraffin wax is used in cheap chocolates and chocolate chips, use the shortening.
D
I’m here commenting 2 years later, but yes, shortening can be used, also cocoa butter and coconut oil. I think I would personally use coconut oil in places that have colder climates around this time of year, however.
Having “played” with chocolate, reading, researching and watching shows/YouTube channels from pastry chefs who specialize in chocolate, I’ve come to learn a great deal from the days of using Wilton/Merkens melts. :o)
Just thought I would give a couple of more options. Not trying to be haughty, or arrogant in any way. I hope I haven’t insulted you, either, of course. :o)
Audrey
Your family recipe reminds me of the Potatoe Christmas candy the Amish make. The potatoes are also used in bread baking to keep it from stale sooner and later. Potatoe starch/flour is used in making mochi to keep it soft. More than just a binding agent here. Thank you for sharing your family’s beloved recipe. Want to make mine Raspberry?
Becky A Summerfield
I was wondering, could a little mint extract be added for a mint chocolate egg? And if so how much would you recommend
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Becky! You sure can. We suggest you start with a drop or two and go from there–mint extract can be VERY strong. Let us know how they turn out for you!
Audrey
Love your idea!
Beth
Sam I have a terrible time when making chocolate dipped items. These easter eggs I can only get 6 done before I have to chill them again. I used chocolate chips and shorting but my chocolate still seams thick. I’m afraid to add more shorting that it won’t harden. Help.
Sam
Hi Beth! Recently I have been struggling more with some chocolate chip brands. Ghirardelli seems to be giving me the best results. You could try adding another teaspoon of shortening to the chocolate. 🙂
Old Grey Mare
At the point where the recipe says to place eggs on wax-paper lined cookie tray, I suggest that you pre-cut your waxed paper into rectangles of the right size to put 4 or 6 eggs onto. (They can all go onto the same cookie sheet that would have otherwise held them.) Then you can take them out of the frig just a few at a time to coat them.
An alternate idea would be to (well ahead of time) take a rimmed baking sheet, wet a kitchen towel or two to “sopping” and place flatly into the pan and freeze the whole thing. When you are ready to coat your eggs, place the tray of eggs on your counter on top of the frozen “mat” to keep them cooler.
I think which idea would work better would depend on how much freezer space you have available, how much counter space, and how far your frig is from the spot you have chosen for your dipping process. You might also want to turn your AC up or your heat down some ahead of getting started and try not to have the uncovered eggs sitting any closer than necessary to where your chocolate is being kept hot for dipping.
D
This is a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing!!