Description
This Easy Duchess Potatoes recipe offers a classic French-inspired side dish made from creamy mashed Yukon gold potatoes enhanced with butter, milk, and subtle spices. The potatoes are elegantly piped into decorative shapes and baked until golden and slightly crispy on the edges, perfect for special occasions or a comforting everyday meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 2 ½ lbs. Yukon gold potatoes (or red potatoes)
Wet Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter (melted)
- â…” cup milk (oat, cashew, or soy, divided)
- 2 egg yolks (large)
- 1 large egg (large)
Seasonings
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- â…› teaspoon nutmeg
Optional Garnish
- Thyme or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the potatoes.
- Prep the Potatoes: Peel the potatoes carefully using a vegetable peeler, removing any eyes or blemishes. Cut each potato in half and then into quarters to ensure even cooking.
- Boil Potatoes: Place the cut potatoes in a large pot and cover with about one inch of cold water. Add a pinch or two of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes until the potatoes pierce easily with a fork. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool enough to handle.
- Mash and Season: Use a potato ricer to rice the potatoes into a large bowl for a light, fluffy texture. Add 4 tablespoons of melted butter, â…“ cup of milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly until well combined. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg yolks and the whole egg, then fold into the mashed potatoes. Add more milk as needed to reach desired consistency and stir with a spatula until smooth.
- Pipe onto a Pan: Fit a pastry bag with a 1M star tip and fill it with the mashed potato mixture. Pipe 12 evenly sized mounds, about 2 ½ inches wide, onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing each about ½ inch apart. Lightly brush the tops with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter, taking care not to disturb the shape.
- Bake: Bake the piped potatoes in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges develop a beautiful golden-brown color and a slight crispness.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh thyme leaves or chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy these elegant and delicious Duchess potatoes as a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Notes
- Use Yukon gold potatoes for their creamy texture, or red potatoes as an alternative.
- A potato ricer ensures extra smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Adjust milk quantity to get perfect piping consistency – the mixture should hold its shape but still pipe easily.
- Optional herbs like thyme or parsley add a fresh, aromatic touch.
- This recipe is easily doubled for larger gatherings.
- Butter brushing before baking helps achieve a golden crust.
