For many, many years I have searched for this receipe. My deceased mother would painstakenly make these Sweet Potato Balls each year from Thanksgiving and Christmas, and at not other times. They were always such a delicious treat. She had never written down the receipe and I could not remember the exact ingredients. Thank you so much for sharing, and I will look forward to making this dish and hope that my grandchildren will enjoy them as much as I did during my childhood. Merry Christmas to you and all of your family and may God richly bless you during the New Year. Barbara Sigler Robinson

By barbara robinson on December 15, 2011

Dear Paula: I love watching you and going on the internet looking at all the different recipes and going in your store(online). I have been to Ladys and Sons and I had the opportunity to go to the store. I love Savannah and Paula Deen&Family;....

By sharon clark on November 30, 2011

Just a thank you, this was my sister's favorite recipe and she made it every year until she passed 10 years ago. I wanted to make it for my Mom this year and was so excited that I didn't have to fake it. Just a thanks for the great family fun recipes

By Debbie C on November 22, 2011

I'm new here and just saw this recipe! This one brings back good memories of homemaking in high school. We had a dinner in the evening for the school administration and made these. I never forgot how good they were. Will make them this Thanksgiving for my family. Thanks

By Janet Dean on November 21, 2011

For the most part this was easy, but I had a hard time getting the potato mixture to stick all around the marshmellow when rolling it. Did anyone else have that problem? I ended up cooking a batch in a muffin pan, which actually worked well. I'm thinking next time I'd put a little mixture in the muffin cup. Add the marshmellow. Then cover with potato mixture and sprinkle the topping. Any other ideas?

By mbovender on November 20, 2011

5 star===

By cherylparham on November 17, 2011

I made these and checked them after they were in the oven for 11 minutes. They had already burst open at that point. I took them out and even after they cooled they were mush. The flavor is great, but the texture just isn't practical or very appealing unless you are eating them with a spoon and some whipped creme or ice cream. Is there a missing ingredient? Am I just that clueless? I think they would be fabulous if I could get the potato coating to crisp up a bit. Could I add something to the potatoes like graham cracker, pancake mix, flour, or ginger snaps and an egg? Or maybe could I deep fry them for a second? What if I made them bite size with a mini marshmellow? Ideas?

By Shannon Acevedo on October 18, 2011

i need our reciepe for coconu balls made with vanillia waffers i missed par of it when you were on tv hankyou.

By fannie davis on September 26, 2011

Well, I haven't been on a picnic since my son ws in school and I was a shaparone. However, we only brought sandwiches, koolaid jammers, snack cake, gummies, and chips or cheese puffs. HOwever, when I was a little girl, we would have potatoe salad, bbq chicken, hotdogs, hamburgers, and beans. Then wash down with soft drinks or lemonaide. I love your show and watching you cook!!!

By Kathy Landry on July 14, 2011

By Derorah Richards on April 14, 2011

Hey Heather! If baking in the oven, the time will depend on the size of the potato, but usually around 45minutes to an hour. For a quicker version, pierce them with a fork and pop them in the microwave for 4-5 minutes, turning once halfway through.

By Libbie Summers, Senior Food Editor on April 02, 2011

how long do i bake the potatoes before i mash them? i just tried making them, and the potatoes werent cooked all the way, i ran out of time so i had to throw them out :(

By Heather on March 15, 2011

I was wondering how far ahead I can make cake balls and them still be good. I am having an engagement party Sat. Feb. 5th and I wanted to make the cake balls Monday or Tues., Feb. 1st . I wondered what is the best way to store them so they won't get stale. Thanks, Jan

By Jan Hull on January 30, 2011

When Paula is in a bind for time, she microwaves her sweet potatoes!

By Libbie Summers on December 15, 2010

I made these as a surprise for my husband (he's a giant Mikey, he'll eat anything (Smile)) and he loved them--he said they would go great with ice cream--who knew?? But when I tasted them, they weren't quite right, I had to boil instead of bake because of time restraints and the mixture was very runny. Also there were little bits of uncooked potato inside, I stood there for about twenty minutes trying to get it all out but it just did not taste the way I thought it would because of the uncooked potato. Please: how can I make it stick together (use flour or egg?) and how do I get the little pieces of uncooked potato out--should I have baked it? It was just taking so long to cook. Help someone?!?!?

By Tinesha Conway on December 14, 2010

Ms.Paula, I just love watching your show. I'm wanting to try your sweetpotatoe balls for my son's and loved ones for Christmas dinner. I don't usaully eat sweetpotatoe's but I watched your show back around Thanksgiving and thoose balls looked so yummy I decided to try them. From one southern lady to another here's wishing you and your's a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. P.s Can't wait to see what recipe's you come up with next!!!!!

By Andrea Waller on December 12, 2010

By Anonymous on November 26, 2010

This was the best rated dish of our Thanksgiving. I had the pleasure of having my boyfriend, his mother, and his 22 yr old daughter over to my house. I waited for his daughter to come and we prepared this dish together. It is a keeper, and now my boyfriends daughter and I will have this memory and she has at least one great dish to make on future Thanksgivings. Instead of coconut, I used chopped Pecans, it turned out great.

By Anonymous on November 25, 2010

This is my first time cooking this i saw your thanksgiving cooking show and you did this my son said mom we have to try this. And it was a hit with my family. You have such a good heart.

By Anonymous on November 24, 2010

i haven't made these yet...i have a question: do you cook them on a greased cookie sheet? or line a sheet with parchment paper?

By ellenj on November 24, 2010