St. Patrick's Day Candy Recipes

St. Patrick’s Day foods tend to fall into two broad categories: traditional Irish foods and green-colored foods. (Beverages are an entirely different story, but I will leave that to the beer and cocktail experts.) Although I couldn’t do much with corned beef and cabbage candy, I have compiled a list of Irish-themed and/or green-colored candies that are perfect for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Potato Candies

Potatoes have historically been an important part of Irish cuisine. Of course they’re tasty mashed or roasted, but did you know they are also a primary ingredient in many delicious candies?

• Potato Pinwheels: sweet-and-salty peanut butter treats with a surprising ingredient.
• Coconut Potato Fudge: a potato fudge with a coconut-chocolate flavor.
• Coconut Potato Kisses: easy drop candies featuring potatoes, coconut, and powdered sugar.
• Potato Fondant: great when used as the base for flavored cream candies.
• Sweet Potatoes: these cinnamon-coconut bites aren't made from potatoes, but they sure do look like them!

Green Candies

As a child, I thought there was nothing better than waking up on St. Patrick’s Day to a breakfast of green oatmeal with green milk, perhaps followed by toast with green butter. I’ve outgrown my need to have all-green foods on St. Patrick’s Day, but I still enjoy making green-themed desserts and candies. The best part is that there’s such a range of ingredients and flavors that compliment green candies, you can make several of these treats and have an exciting, well-balanced candy platter.

• Shamrock Fudge: a minty, green clover-shaped fudge that is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
• Grass and Twigs: green-tinted coconut and pretzel sticks form “grass and twigs” that kids will love to eat.
• Pistachio and Orange Truffles: orange-scented truffles rolled in beautiful green pistachios.
• Pistachio-Chile Bark: chocolate nut bark with two kinds of chocolate, roasted pistachios, and cayenne.
• Pistachio Nougat: nougat with a robust pistachio flavor and a delicate green color.
• Andes Mint Fudge: two layers of minty goodness based on the popular Andes mints.
• Mint Fudge Truffles: smooth, creamy truffles with a fudgy texture.
• Mint Twists: a pulled taffy with a fun green-and-white striped appearance.
• Lime Creams: a zesty, refreshing cream fondant candy dipped in smooth white chocolate.
• Green Tea Truffles: unusual white chocolate truffles are infused with green tea and finished with slivers of candied ginger.