West View Candy Shop Speciality: Irish Potatoes

Among the green-foiled wrapped chocolates and candies that makes up the Townsend Sweet Shoppe's  St. Patrick's Day display is something called Irish Potatoes.

"Irish potatoes are homemade coconut cream, rolled in cinnamon with a pecan for an eye," said Townsend Sweet Shoppe owner June Weletz. "They're delicious."

They are about the size of a large marble, and are very popular around St. Patrick's Day said Weletz.

Irish potato candy originated in Philadelphia according to Wikipedia .

If you'd like to try and make them yourself, here's a recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com.   

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• In a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Using your hands if necessary, mix in the coconut. Roll into balls or potato shapes, and roll in the cinnamon. Place onto a cookie sheet and chill to set. If desired, roll potatoes in cinnamon again for darker color. 

If you are not in the mood to make it yourself, Townsend Sweet Shoppe is located at 1369 Center Avenue in West View.

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