Volcano Potatoes

This is a fun thing to make with or for the kids. But bleach boy and I are kids too so tonight I used up a bunch of left over stuff making this old favorite. The recipe is in an old Better Homes and Garden cook book but maybe it is still in the newer ones!

BASIC RECIPE

Make mashed potatoes for 8 servings.

(my photos were potatoes for four)

2/3 Cup Grated cheese your choice, I used Swiss and cheddar tonight

1/4 cup of cream whipped

(I used left over from pumpkin pie, a little flat but workable!)

Seasonings of your choice

Butter a glass pie pan (8")

Mix Cheeses with Whipped cream

Mound potatoes in the center make it a nice Volcano shape

Now make your hole in the center. Carefully with a large spoon press center hole to make large enough for your prepared cheese mixture, keep this a bit shallow or your mixture will not heat in the center. Or keep it high and cook longer than time below.

I sprinkle with paprika, pepper and garlic salt. I like the color. kids will have their own ideas how decorating that potato mound.

Ok it's time to spoon in the cheese mix right into the center of the volcano.

I sprinkle a last touch of Parmesan cheese over all of it but it's not necessary.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and potatoes are brown around edges. Remember the deeper your crater the longer it must cook.

Note: I added finely chopped onions to ours but we are adult kids and real kids might object to this.

Shape the potatoes into a nice Volcano

Sprinkle with seasonings of choice

Whipped cream and cheese, I often double this part of the recipe.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if you wish, kids love to do this part

Time to pop it in the oven...

A fully erupted Volcano

Dig in!

Please note, I did put extra cheese in this volcano

I was trying to use up left over cheese, cream and potatoes from Thanksgiving.

Your volcano won't be as cheesy and less greasy