Classic creamy mashed potatoes (Printer-Friendly Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 3 pounds russet potatoes
02 - 4 tablespoons butter, plus extra for serving
03 - 4 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream
04 - 1 cup whole milk or half & half
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - Salt and pepper to taste
07 - Fresh chives for garnish (optional)

# Let's Cook!:

01 - Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into quarters or 1-2 inch chunks. This helps them cook more evenly and quickly.
02 - Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water. Generously season the water with about 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
03 - Drain the potatoes well and return them to the warm pot. Add the butter and cream cheese to the pot and cover for 3-5 minutes. This allows the cream cheese and butter to soften while any excess water in the potatoes evaporates, preventing watery mashed potatoes.
04 - Warm the milk in the microwave for about 1 minute or until just heated through. Using warm milk rather than cold helps keep the potatoes hot and allows them to absorb the liquid better.
05 - Add the warmed milk, garlic powder, and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper to the potatoes. Mash everything together using a potato masher until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
06 - Transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create decorative swirls on top, then drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with fresh chives if desired.

# Recipe Notes:

01 - For extra smooth potatoes, use a ricer instead of a potato masher
02 - Russet potatoes are ideal for fluffy mashed potatoes, but Yukon Gold potatoes can be substituted for a more buttery flavor
03 - These potatoes can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated with a splash of extra milk
04 - For a flavor variation, try adding roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese, or chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme

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