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
153 Comments
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!
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.
Robin Sue, these candies sound and look delicious! What a sweet treat of a recipe and story. Thanks!
Peanut butter candies..wow these look and sound yummy! Are they like marshmallows?
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.
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
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.
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.
Strawberry Parfait- as long as they are in a sealed container someplace relatively cool then they are fine. I even freeze mine.
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
My Mom used a potato also, it was so good!
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!!
I make these using potatoes! It's probably a lot harder than your way, but since I am a college student, it works wonders since I don't have a fancy mixer.
We make these all the time, but only 3 ingredients, 1 lb powdered sugar, 1 stick softened butter, and spread on the peanut butter. I guess I could add some milk next time. I don't make them that often, because they are SO rich.
I love that you put them in cups! Makes it so much easier. I've been making these for years with two differences – i use 1TB of cream and 3oz of cream cheese, and i cut them with dental floss. you just slide it under the roll then cross it at the top. it makes them pretty
If they seem too sweet, it’s bc the potato was left out! Little old ladies are the QUEENS of leaving out a pertinent ingredient for beloved recipes! Especially if they’re Italian haha. Honestly…. I can’t see how these are edible, given the sweetness as the potato candy version is extraordinarily sweet on its own! Use this same recipe, just add one medium sized potato that’s been baked or boiled then skin removed. Do it while it’s still a little warm for easy mixing. You will prefer the potato version!!!
It was from a Southern little old lady. Have you ever had their sweet iced tea? Ooooh-weeeee!
The South likes sweet!
I prefer that mashed potatoes to be used, makes it less sweet. If it is all conf. sugar, it’s just overboard on the sweetness factor. It needs the starch from the potatoes to make it truly heavenly, IMHO. It is much easier these days to use the frozen mashed potatoes, cause I truly dislike peeling potatoes.
Looks just like potato candy — I’ve made it for 30+ years. — no butter — the warm potato does the trick. Also we roll it like a cinnamon roll — cut long and slender bites. Super rich for sure! We called it Irish potato candy — although we left out the green food coloring and vanilla. Now I want to make some!
I have made this candy for years…..never knew the name really. I always called it my Grandma Kangas candy, that is where my recipe came from. Noone I know has EVER heard of it, it’s like a secret recipe LOL. My children love this candy, and it really is simple to make:)
I have had these each Christmas since i was a child. The one different thing is we add red and green food color to the sugar mixture to make it more Christmas looking
This is an old fashioned southern recipe. My grandmother and aunts (and now myself) make it using regular sugar, egg whites, and white Karo syrup. It is boiled so it is safe to eat with the egg whites. I have heard you can make it with potato as well, but this is the recipe that my family has been using for 50 years.
I have never heard of the egg white method. This is why I like these old recipes, I learn so many ways on how other families make these candies! Thank you!
I am sorry to say but I agree with the others it is called potato candy in my family my Grandpa (God rest his soul) he has been gone 2y and 8 mths. He made it on holidays for us in big batches all he used is potato powered suger and peantbutter it is super good. There is a hotel in Louisville, Kentucky that sells it $1.00 per piece. This stuff is popular around Derby day, and the big holidays
Well, my family has a version no one here mentions. We use a banana, maybe half a banana if you don’t want to make too much. And then mix in enough powdered sugar to make the thick white layer (I remember it as an amazing amount of powdered sugar). Spread on nut butter, roll and slice like you directed. My grandmother talked about being able to make this treat in her dorm room when she went to college in the 1930′s.
Now that sounds good! I’ll have to give the banana version a try. Thanks for sharing!
Robin
That sounds really good. Using a banana instead of potato.
Does this recipe stay soft once it’s set up?
I’ve been looking for a recipe for peanut pinwheel candy that stays soft since the 1970s. A friend of my mother made the most amazing candies with a sugar dough and chunky peanut butter; I think it was her mother’s recipe. I’ve tried everything that resembles the recipe, but no luck.
Potato candy involves potatoes, and at least when I’ve made it, the dough sets up rather hard. The candy I remember was soft, like raw sugar cookie dough. And it wasn’t nearly as sweet as potato candy.
Does the dough for this recipe stay soft?
If you keep it in an air-tight container it does. Once air gets it, it will dry out. Enjoy!
Been making this since I was a kid but we also use a potato instead of butter and milk. I’ve pasted it on to my grand daughter since rolling it out is hard on my arthritis hands. She loves it!
I’ve made this since I was a kid. It has a different name for each side of my family. One side calls it peanut butter candy, the other potato candy.
I do add a dash of vanilla or almond extract to mine on occasion for a slight variation. I’ve made this so much that I can’t even stand to eat it anymore, although I will taste it for the sake of consistency.
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