Irresistible desserts are abundant during the Christmas season. That’s one of the many reasons why everyone loves the holidays! We have an excuse to stuff ourselves with sinful treats even after the New Year celebrations are over, am I right?  

Thankfully though, there’s one way to feel less guilty when we indulge in these sweet goodies. How? By using potatoes as ingredients of our recipes. Yes, potatoes for dessert!

Why Potatoes?

Potatoes are considered by many as a superfood because they are a nutrient-dense vegetable. They are packed with essential nutrients like complex carbohydrates, potassium, and vitamin C to help power our day. The dietary fiber in spuds also makes us feel full longer, which helps control the urge to snack all the time.

Fresh, Frozen, and Dehydrated Potatoes

There are three different forms of potatoes that you can find in stores nationwide. Thanks to Potatoes USA for bringing them in! I use them depending on what I need for my recipe.

State-of-the-art technology ensures that the nutrient content of processed potatoes (like frozen and dehydrated) is retained. They possess the same nutrients as fresh potatoes, with minimal differences.

Potatoes For Dessert

With my not-so-secret dream of becoming a pastry chef, creating sweets and pastries at home has always been a passion of mine. That’s why I love it whenever I have an opportunity to use potatoes in my recipe because I know it’s always a win-win for us – affordable, healthy, filling, delicious, and nutrient-dense dishes!

For this finger-licking dessert, I used U.S. dehydrated potato flakes and again, I was amazed by how much I made from the rehydrated potato flakes. I love the wonderful combination of the peppermint and chocolate. They go so well together and they truly get you into that festive holiday mood.

Peppermint Potato Brownies

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 3/4  cup raisins
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2/3 cup mashed potatoes (check below on how to rehydrate and make mashed potatoes using U.S. standard potato flakes)

• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peppermint candies, crushed
• melted white chocolate to drizzle on top

How to make:

1. While pre-heating oven to 175C, soak raisins in 1 cup of hot water.
2. After soaking and draining raisins, mix it well together with the rest of the ingredients.
3. If you want more refined mixture, you can use a food processor and pulse it twice. But if you want it chunkier, you can leave the mixture as is.
4. Spread the mixture in a 9×9 square non-stick baking pan and bake for 15-20 minutes.
5. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and more crushed peppermint candies.

The texture of this recipe is perfect, thanks to the potato flakes. You really need to try this one. It’s a wonderful gift idea, too.

So what is your plan for desserts this Christmas? Try using potatoes in your next dish. You’re not only saving more, but you’re also making your dishes healthier and yummier!

U.S. potato products are available in supermarkets, baking supply stores, and membership shopping outlets nationwide. For more information, visit www.potatogoodness.ph  or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.