Needhams
Quick Bite
Needhams are Maine potato candies made with coconut, sugar, mashed potato, and dark chocolate. They sound suspicious until you taste one, then suddenly potato in candy seems perfectly reasonable.
History
Needhams are one of Maine’s most unusual sweets, and their story is tied to the state’s potato culture. The candy is made from a sweet coconut filling that uses mashed potato as a binder, then gets dipped in chocolate.
The most common origin story traces Needhams to Portland in the early 1870s, when a candymaker named Seavey marketed the treat and named it after George C. Needham, a popular preacher. Whether every detail of the legend is perfect or not, the candy became strongly associated with Maine.
The potato is the genius move. It does not make the candy taste like dinner; it gives the filling body and softness. With coconut and sugar, it lands somewhere near a Mounds bar, but with a Maine accent.
Needhams are still made by Maine candy companies and home cooks. They are old-fashioned, regional, and just odd enough to be memorable, exactly the kind of candy a state should be proud of.
Fun Facts
- The potato is real, but the candy does not taste like mashed potatoes.
- Needhams are often compared to coconut candy bars.
- They are much easier to find in Maine than outside New England.
Where to Try
A Maine company focused specifically on Needhams, with traditional and creative flavors.
A candy shop known for handmade Needhams made with coconut, sugar, butter, vanilla, and hand-mashed Maine potatoes.
A Maine chocolate shop that sells Needhams made the old-fashioned way with mashed potatoes.
About the Game
This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.
Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.
Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- Start the filling: In a bowl, mix warm mashed potato, butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Add sugar: Add powdered sugar gradually, stirring until thick.
- Add coconut: Stir in shredded coconut.
- Chill: Press the mixture into the pan and chill until firm, at least 2 hours.
- Cut: Cut into small squares.
- Melt chocolate: Melt the chocolate with coconut oil or shortening if using.
- Dip: Dip each square in chocolate and place on parchment.
- Set: Chill until set.
