Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (2024)

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This Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe just might be the best mashed potatoes you’ve ever tried! If you can’t find créme fraiche at the store or have absolutely no idea what it is, I’ve got an easy sub for you.

Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (1)

Ok let’s be honest. Who doesn’t LOVE soft and tender potatoes mashed with insane amounts of butter, and a little salt?

You might be thinking that you’ve tried mashed potatoes every way possible and there is really nothing more you can do to them to make any better….oh, but there is!

Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (2)

Créme fraîche is one of the most magical creamy dairy-licious products out there. It’s a French-style cream cheese, so you know it’s rich and delicious. It’s very similar to regular cream cheese, but it has the most lovely tang that transforms sauces, and in this case, mashed potatoes. Imagine the flavor combo ofcream cheese with the tang of Greek yogurt….ohhhh so good. You can generally find it in the fancy cheese or dairy section of your store.

A substitute for créme fraîche in mashed potatoes

If you can’t find créme fraîche or prefer not to use it, simply sub with cream cheese and a bit of plain Greek yogurt.

Greek yogurt adds an extra tang that mimics créme fraîche I prefer Greek yogurt because it has less moisture than regular yogurt so it won’t make your mashed potatoes soggy.

Tasty side dishes to serve with mashed potatoes

Upside Down Cast Iron Roasted Chicken

Epic Duck Fat Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey

Southern CornbreadDressing

Make these potatoes in advance

Pro Tip: If you are hosting Thanksgiving or a dinner party, learn a simple trick for How to Keep Mashed Potatoes Warm for up to 4 hours!

To me, nothing is better at making mashed potatoes smooth and creamy quite like a hand mixer. I don’t own a potato ricer because I like a little skin in my mashed potatoes. A hand masher just doesn’t do the trick. Even if you like your potatoes a little chunky, I recommend the hand mixer to really cream most of the mashed potatoes.

More Créme fraîche recipes

Créme fraiche potato salad

Buttery Salmon Pasta with Créme Fraiche, Feta + Olives

Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (3)

Bon Appétit Ya’ll,

Leslie O.

Créme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes

Adding créme fraîche to mashed potatoes transforms the already wonderful buttery side item!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish, Side Items, sides, Thanksgiving

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Author: Bessie Bakes

Ingredients

  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • 8 oz créme fraiche see note below for an easy sub
  • 12 Tbsp butter or butter to your taste
  • 1 tsp salt or salt to taste
  • 2 Tbsp heavy cream
  • 4 sprigs fresh sage optional

Instructions

  • Peel and dice the potatoes. Keep a bit of the skin on if you like rustic mashed potatoes.

  • Add the potatoes to a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander.

  • In a large bowl, add butter, créme fraiche, heavy cream, and salt to the potatoes and mix with a hand mixer until creamy. Adjust the salt to taste. If you like extra butter, I won't judge you 🙂

Optional crispy fresh sage on top

  • If you want to add some extra flavor on top, heat a small skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. When the pan is heated, add the the fresh sage leaves and fry until they just start to turn a darker green about 30-45 seconds (depending on how hot your pan is). Remove from the pan and place on a plate to drain. They will be crispy so you can break them apart with your fingers once they have cooled.

Notes

Learn an easy way to keep mashed potatoes warm.

If you can't find créme fraiche, use 6 oz. of cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup greek yogurt. Greek yogurt has less moisture and a more tangy flavor than regular yogurt.

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Bessie.Bakes or tag #BessieBakes!

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Comments

  1. Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (9)Amy C. says

    Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (10)
    Great taste! Mine turned out a little bit in the thin side but my potatoes may have been too small. Will definitely make these again.

    Reply

    • Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (11)Bessie Bakes says

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes (2024)

FAQs

Créme Fraîche Mashed Potatoes Recipe - Bessie Bakes? ›

What can I sub for crème fraîche? sour cream or even parmesan will work well as substitutes here! You can also remove all together and just keep it cream and butter for a more classic mashed potato.

What is a substitute for creme fraiche in mashed potatoes? ›

What can I sub for crème fraîche? sour cream or even parmesan will work well as substitutes here! You can also remove all together and just keep it cream and butter for a more classic mashed potato.

How do you make mashed potatoes fluffy and not sticky? ›

Using a potato ricer or food mill breaks down cooked potatoes without overworking them, and from there you can gently fold in butter and milk for light and airy mashed potatoes, or you can control the level of starch manipulation to produce creamy pommes purée.

How to cook Aunt Bessie's mashed potatoes? ›

Cooking Instructions

Place 18 cubes in a microwavable bowl. 700W/800W/900W full power for: 3 minsFor 2 servings. Place 36 cubes in a microwavable bowl. 700W/800W/900W full power for: 6 mins 30 secsReal good food made properly in just 5 minutes**Allow to stand for 2 minutes then stir and serve immediately.

Can you make your own creme fraiche? ›

Crème fraîche is so easy to make at home with just heavy cream and cultured buttermilk. Sure, it takes a couple of days to make, but the effort is minimal, and the payoff is marvelous! It has a higher fat content than sour cream which makes it less likely to curdle when you cook with it.

Why do people add sour cream to mashed potatoes? ›

Sour cream adds a little bit of tangy flavor and a boost of richness to mashed potatoes. It's a fun change from the standard milk or cream and butter combo usually flavoring mashed taters. You can even try your hand at making homemade sour cream from heavy cream!

How to make mashed potatoes Rachael Ray? ›

directions
  1. Boil potatoes until tender, 15 minutes. ...
  2. When the potatoes are tender, drain them and return them to the hot pot to let them dry out a bit.
  3. Mash potatoes with half-and-half or milk using a potato masher.
  4. Add in the cream cheese and smash until the cheese melts into the potatoes.
  5. Add chives or scallions.

What is crème fraîche called in the USA? ›

Crème fraîche is essentially the European equivalent of sour cream. It's used widely throughout Europe but less commonly in the United States and Canada. Crème fraîche is a dairy product much like sour cream but it has a higher fat content.

What is the closest thing to crème fraîche? ›

Sour cream (which has less fat) is the best and easiest substitute, but it's not as rich or tangy as crème fraîche. Full-fat plain Greek yogurt is another substitute, but it doesn't have the same smooth texture or mild flavor.

What is the 1 ingredient upgrade for the fluffiest mashed potatoes? ›

The secret ingredient is just ice-cold water.

You soak the potatoes in iced water before they are cooked. This eliminates much of the starches in the potatoes, resulting in a super light and fluffy mash. It's also like when you make rice.

Why do restaurant mashed potatoes taste better? ›

There's just something about those velvety smooth, luxuriantly creamy, full-flavored mashed potatoes that have most homemade versions beat beyond comparison. As it turns out, there is a pretty simple reason why steakhouse mashed potatoes are so much better than other versions: They don't skimp on the salt or fat.

Why add baking soda to mashed potatoes? ›

Directions. Throw just a pinch of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda into potatoes while mashing to make them fluffier.

Why do you soak potatoes in water for mashed potatoes? ›

Soaking potatoes in water helps remove excess starch. Excess starch can inhibit the potatoes from cooking evenly as well as creating a gummy or sticky texture on the outside of your potatoes. Cold water is used because hot water would react with the starch activating it, making it harder to separate from the potatoes.

Should you use milk instead of water for instant mashed potatoes? ›

Yes, you can use milk instead of water to make instant mashed potatoes. Using milk will provide a creamier and richer taste to the dish. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging as some brands might have specific recommendations for milk usage.

Do you boil potatoes covered or uncovered for mashed potatoes? ›

Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer, and cover. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until you can easily poke through the potatoes with a fork.

Does Trader Joe's carry crème fraîche? ›

If there ever was a Swiss Army Knife ingredient, crème fraîche is absolutely it. At any meal of the day, I've likely put Trader Joe's super-affordable crème fraîche in it. (I'm talking eggs, soups, scones, and pastas.)

Is crème fraîche just sour cream? ›

Sour cream may contain thickening agents like gelatin or polysaccharides to create a smooth texture, while creme fraiche's fermentation process naturally produces a thicker texture than sour cream. Plus, sour cream has a tangier taste than creme fraiche, which has a rich and creamy taste.

Can you buy crème fraîche in the grocery store? ›

Though crème fraiche is a staple in Europe, it's not so common in the United States. You can find it in some grocery stores and specialty shops, but many American home cooks choose to make their own (more on that later) or use sour cream as an easy-to-find substitute.

What not to do mashed potatoes? ›

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Mashed Potatoes
  1. You Don't Wash Potatoes First. ...
  2. You Use Just One Type of Potato. ...
  3. You Don't Season the Water. ...
  4. You Add Potato Pieces to Boiling Water. ...
  5. You Use the Wrong Gadget to Mash the Potatoes. ...
  6. You Only Use Butter. ...
  7. You Make the Potatoes Too Soon.
Jun 15, 2021

Why do you put vinegar in mashed potatoes? ›

The addition of a mildly acidic vinegar to a starchy veggie like potatoes not only deepens the flavor profile, but it also helps to tenderize the tubers.

What do professional chefs use to mash potatoes? ›

Ultra-Creamy Mashed Potatoes

The ricer is the most efficient tool because one single pass is all it takes to get the job done. Epicurious food editor Jesse Szewczyk is a staunch advocate for the kitchen tool: “A ricer is something that can't be replicated or replaced.

How do you make Julia Child's mashed potatoes? ›

Cook the potatoes in salted boiling water for about 15 minutes until they're tender, then drain. Pass through a ricer and return to the pot. Add more butter, heavy cream, the garlic béchamel sauce, fresh parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and continue cooking for about 2 minutes.

What is the trick to thicken mashed potatoes? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

Can you whip cream like creme fraiche? ›

It can also be whipped, and when sweetened with a little sugar and vanilla, it can be used in place of whipped cream. Or you can stir a little into your savoury sauces to thicken and enrich. Place a dollop on your baked potato, on scrambled eggs, or as an accompaniment to fish or poultry.

Is sour cream the same as creme fraiche? ›

Sour cream may contain thickening agents like gelatin or polysaccharides to create a smooth texture, while creme fraiche's fermentation process naturally produces a thicker texture than sour cream. Plus, sour cream has a tangier taste than creme fraiche, which has a rich and creamy taste.

Can I use cream cheese instead of creme fraiche? ›

Cream cheese has a similar creamy, slightly tangy flavour to crème frâiche, and can be substituted at a ratio of 1:1 in most recipes.

Is creme fraiche the same as heavy cream? ›

In a way, creme fraiche is just soured heavy cream, but soured in a very precise way that can be controlled by whomever is making it. That would be you, we hope, because it's easier to make at home than yogurt, ice cream or even a simple salad dressing.

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