Introduction: Cinnamon Roll Potato Candy
Hello fellow foodies! Today, I am super excited to show you how to make my Cinnamon Roll Potato Candy. It’s very yummy and addictive. Yes, you read that right; this candy has mashed potatoes in it. You may not know it but candy made with potatoes has been around for a very long time. Sometimes, it is coated in chocolate and other times you may find it with a peanut butter ribbon in it.
For my version, I decided to add a swirl of cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter to resemble a cinnamon roll. It’s a really neat candy that has a great flavor, comes together easily, and does not need to be refrigerated for storage. I think it would make great little gifts for the upcoming holidays and would make a festive addition to any party table.
Supplies
Ingredients:
1 Russet potato
1/2 plus 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
6-7 cups powdered sugar plus extra for dusting
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Utensils/Appliances:
Medium saucepan
Knife
Potato peeler
Parchment paper
Dental floss
Stand mixer or hand mixer and bowl
Small microwaveable bowl
Microwave
Spatula
Stove
Spoon
Step 1: Prepare the Potato
Peel your potato and cut it into 1 inch slices. You will need 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes so make sure you are using a large potato.
Place you potato slices in a medium saucepan and fill halfway with water. Cook on high heat for 30 minutes or until slices are tender.
Step 2: Mash the Potato
Very important: strain the potato slices from the hot water and place them in a bowl to cool completely.
Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes. Don’t try to use leftover mashed potatoes that have been seasoned. Sadly, those won’t taste very good in this candy. Save those for a delicious Shepard’s pie. Yum!
Step 3: Mix Ingredients
Add 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes to your stand mixer. To this add, 1/2 cup (1stick) unsalted butter. Add 1 cup of your powdered sugar plus 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
Mix on low until combined.
Gradually, add the remaining powdered sugar until a thick dough forms while mixing. Place mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes so that it can firm up.
Step 4: Prepare the Filling
In a small microwaveable bowl, add remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 cup of light brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon. Microwave for 30 seconds on high and stir to combine. The filling will be a thick liquid.
Step 5: Roll the Potato Mixture
Remove potato mixture from the refrigerator. Lay a piece of parchment paper on your work surface and dust it, your hands, and a rolling pin with powdered sugar.
Roll potato mixture into a large 12 x 18 inch rectangle.
Step 6: Add the Filling
Use a spoon, and spread the filling across the potato mixture. Be sure to spread it all the way to the edges.
Step 7: Roll It Up
Now, you will roll up your candy to make the iconic cinnamon roll swirl. Take the long edge of your rectangle and begin rolling. Use a spatula if the dough sticks to the paper at all.
Roll the parchment paper around the cans and place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes or until firm again.
Step 8: Cut Into Slices
Remove candy from the freezer and unroll the parchment paper. Use dental floss to wrap around the roll and tie off slices. Each slice should be about 1/2 inch in width. This method will keep your tube cylindrical. A knife will flatten the candy and you won’t have circular slices.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!
Add your slices of candy to a plate and serve to friends and family or store in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy!

Second Prize in the
Candy Challenge
11 Comments
3 years ago on Step 9
That is super interesting, I never would have thought
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you very much! It was fun to put it together. I’m looking forward to building on the idea with creative shaping and different fillings.
3 years ago
Neat! I'm a big fan of sweet potato yokan wagashi and kintsuba, so I'm gonna have to try this!
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you for your nice comment and for introducing me to those Japanese candies. I looked those up and they sound super fun! I liked how one was made with agar and the other cake flour but both can utilize sweet potatoes which are so tasty! Time to get back in the kitchen and try something new.
Reply 3 years ago
You gotta look into Okinawan sweet potatoes- beautiful purple colors!
Cooked, and mixed with a dough made from sweet rice flour, you can mold them into flower shapes like regular wagashi.
Reply 3 years ago
That’s a terrific idea. Purple potatoes are so fun and would make amazing candies. I love the idea of shaping them into flowers or something else interesting. This potato candy has so many possibilities for creative shaping. How fun!
3 years ago
Can you used boxed mashed potatoes without adding the butter and salt? can you use margarine, like Smart Balance instead of butter? Thanks
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you for your great questions. You can use boxed mashed potatoes and you can use margarine to make potato candy. You will have to refrigerate the candy though because “... soft margarine (margarine in tubs) loses its shape, texture, and flavor if left at room temperature because it contains polyunsaturated and/or monounsaturated fats, which eventually oxidize, become liquid, and perhaps go rancid at room temperature.”(shelf life advice.com)
3 years ago
I'm glad you made this and posted it because I keep seeing versions of it online and thinking, "Hmm, do I want to try this?" I've always trusted you to make the yummiest things, so I will follow your Instructable on this one! :)
Reply 3 years ago
Thanks a bunch, Attosa! I just saw your alien cake and it is sooooo creative! It popped up when I was working on my project. When I saw that it was yours, I wasn’t surprised at all. It’s a terrific idea!
Keep up the great work!
Jennifer
Buttermybiscuits
Reply 3 years ago
Aww thanks so much, Jennifer! You've made my day :)