Danish Brunede Kartofler (Caramelized Potatoes)

About This Recipe

Danish Brunede Kartofler is a real, traditional Danish dish, known as Caramelized Potatoes. Small boiled potatoes tossed in a glossy, buttery caramel coating, a traditional Danish Christmas side dish.\n\nBrunede kartofler is a traditional accompaniment to Danish Christmas roast pork and duck, the caramelized sugar coating reflecting an older Nordic tradition of using sugar as a prized seasoning for savory holiday dishes.\n\nThe result is a dish worth making on its own merits: it rewards patience with the technique and delivers real, specific flavor rooted in Danish home cooking, not a generic stand-in for a search term.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 1 kgsmall new potatoes(boiled and peeled)
• 100 gsugar
• 50 gbutter
• 0.5 tspfine sea salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil the potatoes

   Boil the small potatoes until just tender, then drain and peel while still warm; set aside.

2. 2

   Make the caramel

   In a wide, dry skillet, melt the sugar over medium-low heat, swirling occasionally, until it turns a deep amber color; do not stir directly, which can cause it to seize.

3. 3

   Add butter

   Once the sugar is caramelized, add the butter and swirl to combine into a smooth, glossy caramel.

4. 4

   Coat the potatoes

   Add the boiled potatoes to the caramel and gently toss or roll them until each is fully coated.

5. 5

   Season

   Sprinkle with salt and continue tossing gently over low heat for another 3 minutes so the potatoes warm through and the coating clings evenly.

6. 6

   Serve

   Serve immediately alongside roast pork or duck.

Variations

• •

  A less sweet version uses slightly less sugar for a more savory-leaning result.

• •

  Some households add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the caramel for extra warmth.

• •

  Serve alongside braised red cabbage for the classic full Danish Christmas plate.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions