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Kartoffelauflauf
Potato bake
Kartoffelauflauf: German potato bake with cheese and cream custard
Kartoffelauflauf is the bake German parents turn to on busy weekdays, from Hanover flats to farmhouses in the Allgäu: thin slices of potato layered in a dish, covered with a custard of eggs, milk and cream and topped with cheese, then baked until golden and set. It is often a complete meal with a green salad, though some add leeks or ham between the layers. The common mistake is cutting the potatoes too thick, so they are still hard when the top is brown. Chef's tip: use a mandoline or slice about 3 mm thick. Hard cheeses such as Emmental are traditionally made with animal rennet, so pick a vegetarian cheese.
- Total time
- 80 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the bake
- 2 ¼ lb waxy potatoespeeled and sliced 3 mm thick
- ½ oz butter, for the dish
- 1 leek (optional)thinly sliced, optional
For the custard
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ¾ cup single cream
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 oz vegetarian Emmental-style cheesegrated
- 2 tbsp chivessnipped
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 375°F (350°F fan) and butter a 20 × 30 cm baking dish with ½ oz butter, for the dish.
5 minStep 2: Layer the 2 ¼ lb waxy potatoes in overlapping rows, adding 1 leek between the layers if using.
8 minStep 3: Whisk 3 eggs, 1 cup milk, ¾ cup single cream, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper and ¼ tsp ground nutmeg and pour evenly over the potatoes. Scatter with 4 oz vegetarian Emmental-style cheese.
3 minStep 4: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 20–25 minutes more until golden and bubbling and a knife slides through the potatoes easily.
55 minStep 5: Rest for 10 minutes so the custard settles, then sprinkle with 2 tbsp chives and cut into squares.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 470 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 38 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kartoffelauflauf take?
- About 80 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of waxy potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of butter, for the dish?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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