Sweetened Potato Casserole Imelletty Perunalaatikko

Discover the rich and comforting flavors of Finland with Sweetened Potato Casserole, or *Imelletty Perunalaatikko*. This traditional holiday dish is a celebration of natural sweetness, achieved by an age-old technique that transforms starchy potatoes into a subtly caramelized and creamy delight. Made with simple ingredients like starchy potatoes, flour, milk, and butter, the magic lies in the fermentation process that sweetens the mashed potatoes naturally. Slow-baked to perfection, this casserole develops a luscious texture with a golden, slightly browned crust. Ideal as a side dish for festive meals, it pairs beautifully with roasted meats or a holiday spread. Perfectly nostalgic and uniquely Finnish, this casserole is a must-try for anyone seeking comforting, slow-cooked tradition on their table.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:50 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:230 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg starchy potatoes (e.g., Russet)
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 250 ml whole milk
• 50 g unsalted butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the potatoes and chop them into even-sized chunks to ensure even cooking.

Step 2

Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with water. Boil until the potatoes are completely tender, about 20-30 minutes.

Step 3

Drain the potatoes thoroughly and mash them until smooth. Avoid using a food processor or blender, as this can make the potatoes gummy.

Step 4

Allow the mashed potatoes to cool to a lukewarm temperature (around 40°C or 104°F). This step is crucial for activating the natural enzymes in the potatoes for sweetening.

Step 5

Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the mashed potatoes and mix well. Cover the pot and place it in a warm spot, such as an oven set to its lowest temperature or a warm water bath, for 3-5 hours. Stir occasionally during this time. The mixture will naturally sweeten as the enzymes break down the starches into sugars.

Step 6

After the sweetening process, preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).

Step 7

Stir the milk, melted butter, and salt into the sweetened potato mixture. If you'd like additional sweetness, stir in the brown sugar at this point.

Step 8

Pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 9

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 2-3 hours, or until the top has set and browned slightly. The mixture will become creamy and slightly caramelized.

Step 10

Let the casserole cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. It pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or as part of a holiday spread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1861.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2154.6

Total Fat 53.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 30.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 141.7mg	0%
Sodium 2567.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 375.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.6g	0%
Total Sugars 52.4g
Protein 51.0g	0%

Vitamin D 113.4IU	0%
Calcium 516.9mg	0%
Iron 10.6mg	0%
Potassium 8701.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.9%

Protein: 9.3%

Carbs: 68.8%