Christmas Peanut Butter Candies

Back in my Thoracic Medicine days as a Pulmonary Nurse Specialist I had the opportunity to work with many clients, mostly elderly. I loved them. I miss them. Many are gone now but some of their recipes remain, to this day, in my recipe box here at home. During that time we were living in NC near Fort Bragg and while Himself was jumping out of planes and playing Army, I was having the time of my life with my patients. I got to know these people very well, we became friends. Foodie Friends.


The patients loved to bring in treats to share with the other clients and staff members. Not only did the ladies bring their favorite recipes and goodies to share but the gentlemen did as well, bringing something delicious from their wives. One patient, I will have to call her Sugar for privacy reasons, used to bring the tastiest little morsels for us to devour. One day she brought these Peanut Butter Candies and right away I had to have the recipe as Himself is a huge fan of peanut butter. One. Two. Three. She spouted off the ingredients and method just like that. It sounded too easy. And it was.


These creamy, soft, and pillowy candies are super sweet and delicious. Perfect for any peanut butter fan. I have brought these to potlucks with great success and have made them for last minute company. These are a candy you do not see too often, I never see it, so it is great for Christmas Cookie Platters for your dessert table. But have the recipe ready to share!

Peanut Butter Candies
one pound box Confectioners sugar
6 T. unsalted butter, room temperature
7 t. milk, I used whole
peanut butter for spreading, I used TJ's Organic Crunchy PB

Using a stand mixer or very strong hand mixer, mix sugar and butter until blended. Add milk one teaspoon at a time until the mixture pulls from the edge and almost makes a ball. I used 7 t. milk. Too dry and your dough will crack, too wet, it will be sticky. Roll into a ball then roll out into a 9 inch by 14 inch rectangle, between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. It is easier to roll between two sheets of plastic wrap on top of the bottom side of a jelly-roll pan.



Using a sharp knife cut a slit down the center of the dough longways. Spread each side with a thin layer of peanut butter, not to edges. Chill for 15 minutes to help it set a bit.








With the assistance of the plastic wrap, roll the dough into logs starting with the long edges, then seal the seams by lightly pinching and smoothing them. It is a bit tricky and the dough will crack, the peanut butter will ooze and the edges may not seal, but take a deep breath it will all be OK. It is supposed to look a bit rustic!






Using a sharp knife, gently cut the rolls into 1/2 inch pieces. you will get about 24-30 pieces. Place in paper candy papers on a candy dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap (they can dry out quickly) until ready to serve or store, wrapped well, in freezer up to 3 months.







Tomorrow in BRK- How I handle leftover Halloween Candy. It will either make you laugh or make you sick. Stop on in!

Robin Sue

37 comments:

Melissa said...

Those look yummy!

Lisa said...

These look great and I have never seen them before.

Chocolate Shavings said...

What a great way to remember those patients who were dear to you. Those look absolutely delicious.

Stargazer said...

Found these on Tastespotting, looks like a great gift to make for my husband for Christmas. He REALLY likes peanut butter, without the competition with chocolate. These should be great.

FOODalogue: Meandering Meals and Travels said...

Not for my taste but they look so pretty (good photography!) -- and I'm sure the little ones will love them.

Katy said...

really cool! it's almost like peanut butter and a really stiff buttercream frosting -- sounds amazing!

Dawn's Recipes / The Baby Blog said...

I saw something similar made by a woman I used to work for. Instead of mixing powdered sugar into butter, she mixed it into leftover mashed potatoes. It might have been tasty, but I couldn't bring myself to try one. It just sounded wrong...haha! Your recipe sounds MUCH more appealing! I'll have to give these babies a try!

Fearless Kitchen said...

This looks absolutely wonderful, and the story behind it is very nice too. I'd love to make this sometime soon.

Liesl said...

I am so going to make these!! I love peanut butter and these look delicious!!! Thanks for the post!

grahamstravelblog said...

Those almost look like a really soft version of an Abba-Zabba, which is one of my favorite candies. Since I'm gearing up for holiday candy season I'll probably give this one a shot.

noble pig said...

MMMmmmmmmm, those sound and look delish! Thanks for another great one.

Marysol said...

Looks absolutely delicious!

Theresa said...

What a cookie and story!! I never seen these before.

T.J.'s Mommy said...

Oh, these look sooo yummy! Sometimes the recipes that are the simplest taste the best! :)

That Girl said...

This is a really interesting recipe!

Karen said...

Couldn't be any simpler! The recipe reminded me of one we used to make when we were kids. Powdered sugar and mashed potatoes... put some peppermint extract and red food coloring... voila: Mints! They were so good!

Rachel said...

Found these via tastespotting...

They sound absolutely wonderful. My version of "Himself" just retired after 20+ of jumping from perfectly good airplanes at Bragg...well, in between deployments, lol.

Great sounding recipe, and I know my children will love them...thanks!

Rachel said...

Found these via tastespotting...

They sound absolutely wonderful. My version of "Himself" just retired after 20+ of jumping from perfectly good airplanes at Bragg...well, in between deployments, lol.

Great sounding recipe, and I know my children will love them...thanks!

Nicole said...

How fun. You made Abba Zabas!!! Have you ever had one? It is a very old fashioned candy and I know not all candies from here are available out there. http://www.annabelle-candy.com/abba-zabba/

Yours looks good!

Amanda said...

My grandmother used to make this. She also added 1/4 tsp. of vanilla to the dough.

Amberleigh said...

O my word! You make the most incredible things. I am dyining looking at these.

Robin Sue said...

Melissa- Thanks I will have to make some for school sometime!

Lisa- Thanks apparently they are like an abba zabba which I have never had!

Chocolate Shavings- Yes my patients were very special! Thanks for stopping by!

Stargazer- No chocolate in site so he should like these! Thanks for the comment!

Foodalogue- We all can't love everyting! Thanks for the comment about my pictures!

Katy- It is just that, a very thick buttercream! Thanks for stopping by!


Dawn's Recipes- Yes these are just like potato candies minus the potatoes! Thanks for the visit!


Liesl- Thanks for the comment. If you make these let me know how they turn out!


Graham- That's right you are a candy guy. Well I hope you make these and like them!!


Noble Pig- Do make them!

Marysol- Thanks for the visit and comment!

Theresa- Thanks, they are a good treat!


tj's mommy- Yup I like simple things. Thanks for stopping in!

That Girl- They taste great too!

KAren- I have heard of potato candies but never made them before. Thanks for the comment!


Rachel- Thanks for stopping by! Wow 20 + years. Thank you!!! Hope you like the candies!


Nicole- Thanks for the link, I have never had an Abba Zabba. I'm sure my hubby has, he is the candyman. I will take a look. Now you have the recipe for the home made version!


Amanda- I bet the vanilla makes it nice! I will have to try that next time!


Amberliegh- I'll bring some to school sometime!

Grace said...

i thought i had seen every christmas candy known to man, but this is completely new to me! i can't believe i've gone all this time without eating massive amounts of these--they're fabulous!

Anonymous said...

My mother used to make these...except she used a mashed up potato in it. It was called potato candy. Really good...but really sweet. -Angela :)

Sophie said...

These look so fun, they remind me of little snowball rolls, except with peanut butter :).

Meg said...

These look so delicious and SO fun to make!

Megan said...

I have a love affair with peanut butter so this candy is right up my alley. What a great treat that would make the perfect Christmas present for friends and family!

Robin Sue said...

grace- there is alwasy something new around every corner!

Angela- They are very sweet!

Meg- They are delicious and messy to make! All the better!

megan-Then this candy is for you! A perfect gift just be sure to wrap it very well.

Jen said...

Robin Sue, these candies sound and look delicious! What a sweet treat of a recipe and story. Thanks!

pigpigscorner said...

Peanut butter candies..wow these look and sound yummy! Are they like marshmallows?

Anonymous said...

When I saw your picture, I also thought it was Potato Candy. The only ingredients are mashed potatoes, confectionary sugar & peanut butter. It brings back good childhood memories.

Anonymous said...

Yes, that looks like Potato Candy. We make that every Christmas. It is yummy. Boil a potato. Add conf. sugar until a soft dough forms. It takes a bunch of sugar. Roll out into a rectangle. Spread with peanut butter. Roll up and chill. Then slice and enjoy.

Amy in Kentucky

thenotsoskinnykitchen said...

My great grandmother and I used to make these candies together when I was a very young girl; she always called them pinwheels. It's just about the only memory I have of her actually as she passed when I was still in elementary school. Thank you for bringing back such a fond memory for me.

StrawberryParfait said...

These look great and easy :)

Do they need to be kept in the fridge? Or can they stay out long...I'm wondering if the candy would start to fall apart if at room temp.

Robin Sue said...

Strawberry Parfait- as long as they are in a sealed container someplace relatively cool then they are fine. I even freeze mine.

Our Seven Dwarfs said...

My mom has made this for years, but she calls it Potato candy. You start with a potato to keep the confectioners sugar together. Wonderful sugary goodness. Thanks for the reminder!

Jill of oursevendwarfs.com

April said...

My Grandmother taught me to make these. She also called them potato candy. We used a small potatoe, boil until it's basically falling apart an the mix in the powdered sugar until firm enough to roll out. chill. add pnut butter roll up. slice. I'm going to try it like you posted...I'm sure it'll be just as good!!