Duchess Potatoes Recipe
Duchess potatoes are elegant, piped mashed potatoes baked to golden perfection. This classic French side dish features smooth, buttery potatoes enhanced with nutmeg and topped with a delicate egg white glaze for a crisp, beautiful finish. Perfect for holiday meals or any special occasion.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Potatoes
- 1½ pounds russet potatoes (or starchy potatoes)
Potato Mixture
- 3 tablespoons butter (softened)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 egg yolks (separated from whites)
Egg Wash
- Preheat and Bake Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and poke their skins all over with a fork. Place them directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet and bake for 50-60 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
- Cool and Scoop: Allow the baked potatoes to cool enough to handle, then cut each potato in half. Carefully scoop out the flesh, placing it into a bowl. Let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely in the next step.
- Mash and Season: Mash the potato flesh thoroughly until smooth using a masher or ricer. Stir in the softened butter, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Then, incorporate the egg yolks, mixing well to create a rich, creamy mixture.
- Pipe the Potatoes: Transfer the potato mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the potatoes into neat mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, aiming for approximately 2 inches wide and 1½ inches tall. Sizes can vary slightly.
- Brush with Egg Whites and Bake: Lightly whisk the egg whites until slightly foamy. Gently brush the egg whites over the piped potatoes to achieve a shiny, golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the tops turn golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives before serving. Enjoy these elegant duchess potatoes as a decadent accompaniment to your meal.
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like russets for the best texture purposes.
- Allow potatoes to cool well before mixing with eggs to prevent curdling.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, you can shape the potatoes using a spoon.
- Fresh herbs such as chives or parsley add a nice finishing touch but are optional.
- These can be prepared ahead to the piping step, then refrigerated until baking.
Keywords: Duchess potatoes, baked mashed potatoes, elegant side dish, French potato recipe, holiday side