The Irish American Cultural Society is hosting a "Taste of Ireland" this afternoon at Annie Bailey's. We're featuring Guiness Stew, Colchannon, Irish cheeses and cake. Like a fool, I offered to make Irish Potato Candy. The recipe follows. My dilemma is the difficulty in forming the potato balls with this sticky mess so I am putting the mixture in the refrigerator, hoping that will make rolling the potato balls easier.

Anyone ever make this and have any tips?

1/4 cup butter, softened
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners sugar
2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 tblsp ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar (one cup at a time); 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.

Putting the mixture in the fridge is a good idea, also using latex gloves, (the medical kind not the cleaning kind) will help. I think you're going to need more than a tablespoon of cinnamon, especially if you are going to double roll them.

What does the tasting cost and what are the hours?

Thanks for answering, Hope. I am getting ready to take the mixture out of the fridge to try rolling the potatoes again. I do have some medical gloves although they're vinyl - great idea!

The event is at 3:00 this afternoon. $5 for non-members. Located on second floor of Annie Bailey's. Alcoholic beverages for purchase separate from tasting faire. This is not meant to be a main meal type event, only sampling. There will be recipes available for some of the items.

Sweet, icky, sticky mess that produced about 40 or more potato balls. They won't last long at the event................

Now - I'm looking forward to taste testing Guinness stew. Would love to try and make that meal.