The continued popularity of beer in confections has led to many creative applications, which may very well be the golden ticket for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. If beer and confections don’t seem like a natural pairing, keep reading for inspiration to concoct your own beer-inspired confections.

Photo: Delish / The Liddabit Sweets Candy Cookbook © 2013

Beer & Pretzel Caramel

Few things pair with beer like pretzels, but why eat plain old pretzels when you can eat pretzels drenched in beer caramel?!

Photo: Food52

Beer Marshmallows

Pillowy homemade marshmallows spiked with dark stout beer, enveloped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with crushed pretzels may fill the dreams of a true beer enthusiast. Considering adding this flavor and texture bomb to your product lineup.

Photo: Jelly Belly

Beer Jelly Beans

Expand your beer-themed offerings with these fun beer-flavored jelly beans packaged in a clever keepsake tin.

Photo: Vosges Haut Chocolat

Smoke and Stout Caramel Chocolate Bar

This chocolate bar by Vosges Haut-Chocolat appeals to the senses with the addition of stout beer, smoked salt and burnt sugar caramel.

Photo: Surprising Recipes

Guinness Pretzel Truffles

This truffle recipe trades the cream for Guinness stout beer and adds an element of crunch with…you guessed it, crushed pretzels.

Not only would these hoppy confections be a great match to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but they would also add to your repertoire for Father’s Day, Oktoberfest and creative and unique gifts for beer lovers. Cheers!

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Photo credit: Martha Stewart

This may come as a shock, but Irish potato candy did not originate in Ireland nor does it even contain potato, typically. These miniature potato wannabes are often made with a coconut-flavored cream filling moulded into the size of a small potato and rolled in cinnamon and/or cocoa, giving the illusion of a dirty potato.

With much regional appeal found in Philadelphia, it is believed Irish potato candy is actually a variation of a coconut-flavored cream dubbed “Irish” as the city experienced an influx of Irish immigrants. According to an article by Daniela Galarza published on Eater.com, “Prior to the Great Famine [in Ireland], which occurred between 1845 and 1852, America’s Irish population was fairly low. But during and after the tragedy, Philly’s Irish population boomed as families immigrated to the United States looking for a more stable future.”

Despite any likely link to Ireland, these deceiving little candies may be worth a try on your customer base for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Stir up interest by introducing your potato candy as a limited-time offering and get creative to tie in with the Irish centric holiday.

Photo: Dolle’s Candyland

RCI member, Dolle’s Candyland of Ocean City, Maryland makes their Irish potatoes extra decadent by coating coconut cream in rich, dark chocolate before rolling that in a blend of cocoa and cinnamon.

Photo: Burke Candy & Ingredients

Milwaukee-based RCI member, Burke Candy & Ingredients uses a not-so-surprising, surprise ingredient to their Irish potatoes. For added texture, they combine shoestring potato sticks with their coconut dough before rolling the mixture in cinnamon and sugar.

Spread the luck o’ the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day by sharing these humble, but tasty spuds with your customers.

Try your luck this St. Patrick’s Day with treats so tempting, you might just lure a leprechaun into your candy shop…along with new and returning customers too!

Blarney Bark

What leprechaun could resist a bite of “Blarney Bark” from RCI member, Reid Candy & Nut Shop, of Cambridge, Ontario. These festive treats are made with green compound coating and bits of rainbow stripe candy, colorful candies and clover sprinkles.

Irish Potato Candy

A popular St. Patrick’s Day treat, Irish potato candy was neither invented in Ireland nor does it typically contain potatoes. RCI member, Dolle’s Candyland of Ocean City, Maryland makes their Irish potatoes extra decadent by coating coconut cream in rich, dark chocolate before rolling them in a blend of cocoa and cinnamon. Milwaukee-based RCI member, Burke Candy & Ingredients combines shoestring potato sticks with their coconut dough before rolling their version of Irish potatoes in cinnamon and sugar.

Pot of Gold Truffles

Transform your existing truffle or meltaway recipe into pots of gold fit for teams of leprechauns. Create the flat top of the “pot” by flattening or trimming one side of the round center before coating it in chocolate. Once set, pipe chocolate onto the flat top of the pot and use it to adhere rainbow candy and gold sprinkles.

Photo credit: OHMY! Creative

Leprechaun Cookies

These leprechaun cookies are so clever, they’re likely to leap right off your shelves and into customers’ shopping baskets. With a little green and orange confectioners coating, some candy eyeballs and a pinch of finesse with the piping bag you’ll have yourself an army of jolly good leprechauns.

Chocolate-Covered Pickles

If you dip it, they will come. This salty and sweet combination is just bizarre enough it is sure to catch the attention of the more adventurous consumers looking to try something new. Malley’s Chocolates of Cleveland has had success (and garnered plenty of media attention) over the years coating dill pickles in chocolate exclusively for St. Patrick’s Day.

Anyone who receives treats like these is sure to count themselves lucky this St. Patrick’s Day! Share your favorite St. Patrick’s Day treat in the comments below.

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