Every New Year’s Day, my Bartz family gets together to celebrate food and family. I love them, but let’s be honest…because it involves strudel, I’d go even if they weren’t my family. Now, this isn’t a strudel recipe, but it is mashed potatoes done right. Which really just means…they’re super yummy. Since we moved back to North Dakota, my Aunt Mary (aka the chicken cutting wizard) made me in charge of bringing potatoes to New Year’s/Strudel Day. She even gave me the recipe! I’m glad she did because one area in which I lack experience is cooking for a large group. For our Bartz event, we feed around 55-65 family and friends. One more thing before I insert my recipe. You make this the night before, and we know when we play host/hostess, that’s like the best thing ever. I’m a fan of make ahead recipes because it means less stress the day of the event. Just turn on the crock-pot in the morning and you’re all set.
p.s. As I update this recipe, it brings me sad emotions and I find tears blurring my eyes. This is the first New Year’s we will be without my Uncle Ron. He went to heaven this summer and he is so dearly missed by all of us. Besides family and food, New Year’s Day also meant sleigh rides with my uncle. Jingle bells and all. Celebrate your family. Make memories and take a lot of pictures. You truly do not know what tomorrow holds. Love your tribe hard.
Crockpot Potatoes
Ingredients
- 24 medium potatoes
- 1 Tbsp. salt
- 1/4 Tbsp. pepper
- 1 1/2 packages cream cheese of the 8 oz packages
- 2 c. sour cream
- 1/2 c. butter
- garlic salt or powder optional
- milk or half and half if too thick
Instructions
- Butter the inside of a crockpot. Boil and mash the potatoes. Mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate until the next day (unless it’s winter and you live in ND – then they can go in the garage!). When ready to heat up, dot the top layer with butter and turn on low for 4 hours. Add a bit of cream if needed. Stir occasionally.
