I made these chocolate dipped candy hearts for Valentines Day this year. An easy DIY candy, surprisingly simple, and fun.

True story, I was asked if I could make these by a friend and almost refused. Candy Hearts made out of potatoes and powdered sugar? You must be nuts. But, after looking over the recipe on the Idaho Potato Commission’s website, I figured DIY candy was worth a try and not terribly taxing or time consuming. And it was pretty easy. A lot easier than I thought it would be. And it was a fun activity to do with kids.

I sped things up a bit from the original recipe by using the microwave when I could. It also makes for an easy way to get kids involved. My six year old isn’t quite ready to handle the double boiler, but she can stir some chocolate after zapping it for 20 seconds without too many problems.

DIY Candy Class for parties

The dough turned out to be the consistency of play-dough, which actually has me thinking that this could be repurposed in another color for just about any holiday. And if you pull out all the kids play-dough cutting and rolling tools (clean them first – maybe twice) DIY candy making could double as a birthday party activity. Coating everything in crushed nuts keeps it from sticking to the rolling pin, and I am sure that you can find a substitute if you need your DIY candy nut-free for allergies or taking to school. I would recommend shredded coconut or sprinkles.

DIY Candy without Corn Syrup

They are still pretty sweet, but a great idea for those looking to avoid corn syrup. And less so than those hearts with the witty sayings on them. Also, they’ve got potato in them, so they’re almost a vegetable right?

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Yield: 1 Recipe

Easy DIY Candy Hearts

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I made these chocolate dipped candy hearts for Valentines Day this year. An easy DIY candy, surprisingly simple, and fun!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes

Total Time 22 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 small russet potato
• 1-2 tsp red food dye
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 1 cup pistachios, crushed
• 1/2 lb dark chocolate

Instructions

Cut potatoes into small (1/2") cubes

in a microwave safe bowl, just cover potatoes with water and add red dye and a pinch of salt.

microwave on high, removing to stir every 30 seconds until potatoes mash easily with a fork (about 2-3 minutes)

drain out remaining liquid, and mash potato chunks with a fork until smooth.

Transfer potatoes into bowl of a stand mixer and add cream and vanilla.

mix on low speed with the paddle attachment, adding the sugar 1 cup at a time until it reaches the consistency of play-dough.

Sprinkle some the crushed pistachios over your working surface.

taking a manageable portion of the dough, shape it into a thin disk by hand and lay it over the nuts.

sprinkle pistachios over the top of the dough.

Roll it out until it is about 1/4" thick.

Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut as many hearts out of the dough as you can, and using a pancake turner, transfer them to a wire rack.

repeat until all of the dough is used up.

Allow hearts to harden overnight.

Once hearts are dry and firm, grate chocolate for melting (skip if using chips)

In a microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate for 20 second intervals (total approximately 100 seconds), stirring between each, until melted.

Dip hearts into the chocolate and place on parchment paper (let each one cool for a few seconds so that chocolate is not runny before putting down)

Repeat for all hearts, reheating chocolate 10 seconds at a time if needed.

Once cool protect from little fingers until ready to serve.

Notes

Idaho Potato Commission

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  KitchenAid Professional 600 6 Qt Lift Bowl Stand Mixer (Certified Refurbished)
• 
  Fox Run 4050 Marble Rolling Pin and Base, White
• 
  Heart Cookie Cutter Set - 6 Piece - 3 4/5", 3 1/5", 2 4/5", 2 3/5", 2 1/5", 1 4/5" - Heart Shaped Cookie Cutters, Stainless Steel Biscuit Pastry Cutters

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 162Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 2g

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