Chocolate Needham Candy
Whether trying Needham candy for the first time or simply craving a timeless treat from your childhood, these are an easy and fun sweet to make for the holidays. The addition of Kate's Butter elevates this New England classic, adding a rich and creamy quality to the coconut/dark chocolate blend. The best part? Your out-of-state friends may never suspect the tasty mystery ingredient: potato!
Needhams are a well-loved treat across Maine. Some say famous Portland confectioner John Seavey came up with the first batch after a plentiful potato harvest in the 1800s. He called them Needhams after a famous evangelist preacher at the time.
While the story of Needhams will vary as any good story in Maine, the recipe has remained the same for generations. Whip up a batch today and store them in the freezer for a convenient indulgence. With Kate's Butter in the mix, each bite is a tribute to the honest goodness of Maine's dairy and the time-honored tradition of enjoying Needham candy.
Ingredients
- 2 pound bag of confectioners’ sugar
- ¾ cup plain cooked potatoes, mashed, warm (unseasoned)
- 2⅓ cups sweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup Kate’s unsalted butter, melted ½ cup = 1 stick of Kate's Butter
- ½ tsp table salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp coconut extract
- 20 oz dark chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
- Line a 10” x 15” pan with parchment paper. (If you prefer thicker Needhams, use a 9” x 13” pan.)
- In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients (everything but the chocolate) until well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pressing it down evenly.
- Refrigerate for about 1 hour.
- Cut the refrigerated mixture into desired sizes.
- Place the cut pieces into the freezer (in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking) for 30 minutes.
- Melt the dark chocolate according to the package instructions.
- Using a fork, dip each piece into the melted chocolate.
- Place the chocolate-coated pieces on a sheet of parchment paper to harden for 1 hour or refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Store Needham candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
