If you were to consider baked potatoes' finest qualities, luxury would not usually be one of them. This dish has always been pure comfort, encapsulated in steaming smoke and golden starch. It asks for nothing much, only butter, chives, and maybe sour cream. It's not too often that you'd find gourmet things like crème fraîche and caviar piled atop. And yet, these ingredients still fit right into the humble baked potatoes, even going so far as elevating them to restaurant-worthy status.
There's a little kitchen trick that looks like a magic act: You take something already silky and spoonable, whisk it briefly, and it becomes a cloud with staying power. At first glance, you might expect it to behave exactly like the familiar, feather-light whipped cream that melts away if left too long. The texture is different - a touch denser, a little tangier - and that difference is the clue that something useful (and pleasantly stubborn) is happening under the whisk.
Much like using Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for tuna, chicken, potato, and other salads, crème fraîche provides a creamy and slightly tart alternative that's also egg free. With just the ingredients of cultured buttermilk and heavy cream, you can make your own or grab a store-bought version like Vermont Creamery Crème Fraîche. To make this swap, use about a 1:1 ratio or less, depending on your taste preferences.