Absolute Best Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 cup water
• 6 large firm russet potatoes, scrubbed
• 1 pint heavy cream at room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons dry instant mashed potato flakes, or as needed (optional)
• salt and ground white pepper to taste

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 35 mins


• pour water into a saucepan. place a large steamer basket into the saucepan over (not touching) the water, and place the potatoes into the basket. bring the water to a boil. reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pan and basket with a lid, and steam potatoes until tender in the center, about 20 minutes. a skewer inserted into a potato should easily pierce the center. using tongs to hold hot potatoes, peel them, and set aside. reserve potato cooking water.
• place 1 cup of cream and the butter into the work bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with mixing paddle, and start the machine on low speed. mix until the cream and butter are blended; add potatoes, and beat until thoroughly mixed. as potatoes mash, gradually pour in remaining cup of cream. if potatoes are too stiff, beat in reserved potato cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time. if potatoes are too runny, beat in instant mashed potato flakes, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach desired consistency. season to taste with salt and white pepper.