Small Potatoes

I wanted to make something quick, cute and easy for St. Patrick's Day. And something that wasn't green. I mean, SO obvious! :) Whilst searching through several recipes I came upon one for Irish Potatoes candy. I had all the ingredients on hand and they were no-bake so I thought well, even if they're bad I guess it's not a huge waste of time.

I was a bit skeptical that they would turn out cute or tasty, but was pleasantly surprised when they were both! I couldn't stop gushing over their cuteness. Or their teeny tiny-ness. Or their tastiness! What a fun idea!

What a great excuse to get your kids in the kitchen. This has family time written all over it.

And just in case you were wondering, no, they don't contain any actual potato.

Irish Potatoes Candy

1/4 cup softened butter (1/2 stick)
4 ounces regular cream cheese, softened (not reduced fat, low fat or whipped)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
2 and 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
cinnamon

-In a large bowl cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
-Add vanilla and powdered sugar.
-Beat until mixture forms a ball.
-Stir in coconut with a spoon.
-Roll the mixture in your hands to form small potato shaped candies or small balls (the less smooth you make them the more real they look!)
-Put cinnamon in a plastic bag. Add two or three "potatoes" at a time and shake until coated.
-Place finished potatoes on a cookie sheet and chill for 1 hour or until firm.
-If you prefer "dirtier potatoes" you can roll the candy in cinnamon a second time after they've chilled.
-You can also dip these in chocolate for Easter eggs. (Someone also wrote that they used Nestle Quik powder to coat their potatoes, but I haven't tried this...let me know if someone does and if they're good!)

Makes about 3-4 dozen, depending on size.

**I bought my decorative chocolate Leprachauns and coins at See's Candies.**

Saint Patrick vs. Arm & Hammer

I remember the first time I had ever heard of soda bread I was a teenager and my mom had made it for St. Patrick's Day. When she said "soda bread" I imagined a whole loaf of bread that tasted like baking soda. But after the first taste I was won over!

Soda bread is incredibly easy to make. You can add raisins or not.
Or (heavens!) caraway seeds if you like them. I don't.  I think it's best slathered with rich, creamery butter. MMmmm!

This recipe is supposedly from someone's wee Irish Gran called Rosie. It has a really nice light texture and rises high and soft. Perfect to go with some corned beef, cabbage and anything else you've decided to dye an unearthly green colour.

Rosie's Irish Soda Bread

3 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like your bread)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 pint sour cream
2 large eggs
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
2 tablespoons caraway seeds (also optional)

-Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
-Grease a 9 inch springform pan.

-Combine dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
-In a smaller bowl beat eggs and stir in the sour cream.
-Add the egg and sour cream mixture to the dry ingredients and stir well with a wooden spoon. The dough will be very thick.
-Add the raisins and caraway seeds (optional) and stir well with wooden spoon or knead in with your hands.
-Place the dough in your pan.
-Dust the top with enough flour that you can pat it down evenly into the pan without it sticking to your hands.
-With a sharp knife cut an X on the top. 
-Bake for 50 minutes or until a rich golden brown.