Needham Bars Or Potato Candy Food

NEEDHAMS

Steps:

• Put the confectioners' sugar in a large heatproof bowl; make a deep well in the middle. Add the mashed potatoes, butter, vanilla and salt to the well. Place the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Starting in the center of the well, stir the ingredients, gradually incorporating the sugar, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture forms a smooth paste, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the coconut. Transfer to the freezer and chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Roll tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture into balls, then flatten each ball into a small square using your fingers (you should have about 40 squares). Put the squares on a large plate or baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with foil, shiny-side up. Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate melts. Add the shortening and stir vigorously until glossy, about 2 minutes. Transfer half of the chocolate to a glass liquid measuring cup. One at a time, place each candy square on a fork and dip in the melted chocolate to coat; let the excess drip back into the cup. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining squares, refilling the cup with melted chocolate as needed. Let the candies harden at room temperature, about 1 hour. Photograph by Charles Masters

MAINE POTATO CANDY

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Line a 9-in. square pan with foil; butter the foil. Spread coconut mixture into pan. Cover and chill overnight. Cut into 2x1-in. rectangles. Cover and freeze. , In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip bars in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to set. Store in an airtight container.

NEEDHAM BARS OR POTATO CANDY

Steps:

• Mix first six ingredients well.
• Place into a 9x13 pan and pat down until smooth.
• Place in refrigerator until firm.
• Cut into 24 squares.
• Melt chocolate/wax in a double boiler.
• Dip each square into melted chocolate (I use a toothpick).
• Place on waxed paper to harden.
• Store in airtight container.

MASHED POTATO CANDY

Steps:

• Mix together all ingredients, except peanut butter.
• Add sugar until it's of dough consistency.
• Refrigerate to chill dough for an hour or two.
• Roll out onto powdered sugar dusted bread board or waxed paper.
• Spread peanut butter over potato dough.
• Roll it up like a jelly roll loaf.
• Refrigerate for about an hour, then slice into pinwheels.