Wondering what cheese does Courtney Cook use in her sweet potato? The answer is Butterkäse, a mild, creamy German cheese that softens beautifully inside a slow-baked sweet potato. Courtney Cook Bales occasionally uses cheddar, but Butterkäse is the cheese most closely associated with her viral lunch.
The original idea is simpler than a casserole: one whole sweet potato is cooked slowly until tender and syrupy, then opened and stuffed with a thick piece of cheese. There is no mashed filling, shredded-cheese topping, cream sauce, or second bake.
This guide identifies the original cheese, explains why it works, outlines Courtney’s reported method, and lists practical substitutes for shoppers who cannot find Butterkäse in the United States.
What Cheese Does Courtney Cook Use in Her Sweet Potato?
Courtney Cook uses Butterkäse in the sweet potato combination that became widely shared online. Its name means “butter cheese” in German, and its mild flavor and soft texture complement the potato without overpowering its caramelized sweetness.
Cheddar appears in some of her lunches, but it is not the best single answer to the question. Contemporary reports about the viral dish identify Butterkäse as her favorite or signature choice. The food itself is also a cheese-stuffed baked sweet potato, not a sweet potato casserole.
What Is Butterkäse and Why Does It Work?
Butterkäse, also written as Butterkase when the umlaut is omitted, is a semi-soft German-style cheese known for a gentle buttery flavor. It is less tangy than sharp cheddar and less assertive than aged Gouda, so the sweet potato remains the dominant flavor.
Its texture is equally important. A thick slice becomes soft and creamy when pressed into the warm center of the potato. That creates a rich contrast with the tender flesh without turning the dish into a heavy cheese sauce.
- Flavor: mild, buttery, and lightly milky
- Texture: semi-soft and smooth
- Melt: soft and creamy rather than oily
- Best use here: one thick piece inserted into a hot or warm sweet potato
Ingredient-selection note: rennet and enzyme sources vary by cheese brand. Choose Butterkäse—or any substitute—that is halal-certified or clearly made with microbial or vegetarian enzymes when the source matters to you.
How Courtney Cook Prepares Her Sweet Potato
Courtney’s reported method emphasizes low heat and a long rest. That extended cooking process allows the potato’s natural sugars to concentrate while the interior becomes very soft.
- Choose the potato. Use either an orange-fleshed sweet potato, such as Garnet, or a Japanese sweet potato.
- Cook it slowly. Bake the whole sweet potato at 300°F (149°C) for about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on its size, until very tender.
- Let it rest. Turn off the oven and leave the potato inside with the door closed. Reports of Courtney’s method describe a rest of about three hours for a syrupier texture.
- Open the top. Peel back or split only enough of the skin to expose the soft center.
- Add the cheese just before eating. Push a thick piece of Butterkäse into the center so the remaining warmth softens it.
Keep the cheese refrigerated during the long rest and add it only when you are ready to serve. The exact baking time varies with the potato’s size, so tenderness matters more than the clock.
A Faster Home Option
If a three-hour oven rest does not fit your schedule, bake the potato at 300°F until completely tender, rest it for 15 to 30 minutes, and insert the cheese while the center is still warm. The texture may be less syrupy than Courtney’s reported version, but the essential sweet potato-and-cheese combination remains intact.
Useful Equipment for the Slow-Baked Method
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A sturdy rimmed aluminum half-sheet pan keeps the potato stable and contains any sugary drips. A reusable half-sheet silicone baking mat can make cleanup easier after the long bake. Neither tool changes the recipe; they simply make the process tidier.
Best Butterkäse Substitutes for Sweet Potato
If Butterkäse is unavailable, choose a mild cheese that softens smoothly and does not overwhelm the potato. The closest substitutes prioritize creamy texture over sharp flavor.
| Cheese | Flavor | Texture in a Warm Potato | How Close Is It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havarti | Mild and buttery | Soft and creamy | Best widely available substitute |
| Muenster | Very mild | Smooth and elastic | Good texture match |
| Young Gouda | Mild with gentle sweetness | Creamy when warm | Good flavor alternative |
| Fontina | Buttery and slightly nutty | Soft, rich melt | Richer than Butterkäse |
| Mild cheddar | More tangy and salty | Melts well | Works, but tastes less like the original |
Is Havarti the Closest Substitute?
Havarti is usually the easiest substitute because it is mild, creamy, and available in many U.S. supermarkets. Food & Wine also used Havarti when Butterkäse could not be found. Select a plain version rather than one flavored with herbs or other additions.
Can You Use Cheddar?
Yes. Courtney has used cheddar, and it melts easily inside a hot sweet potato. However, cheddar is saltier, tangier, and more assertive than Butterkäse. Use mild or medium cheddar for a closer balance; sharp cheddar creates a noticeably different dish.
Orange vs Japanese Sweet Potato
Courtney’s lunch has appeared with both orange-fleshed and Japanese sweet potatoes. Either works, but they create different textures and flavor balances.
| Type | Texture | Flavor | Best Cheese Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange sweet potato | Moist and very soft | Pronounced sweetness | Butterkäse, Havarti, or mild cheddar |
| Japanese sweet potato | Drier, denser, and fluffy | Nutty and gently sweet | Butterkäse, Muenster, or young Gouda |
Choose an orange variety for a softer, more syrupy center. Choose a Japanese sweet potato when you prefer a firmer, chestnut-like texture that holds a thick slice of cheese neatly.
Where to Find Butterkäse in the United States
Look in the specialty-cheese case, imported-cheese section, or full-service deli counter rather than beside shredded cheddar. Search store apps using all three terms: Butterkäse, Butterkase, and German butter cheese.
- Ask the cheese counter whether a whole wheel or fresh-cut piece is available.
- Check European or German specialty markets.
- Compare the ingredient label and enzyme source before purchasing.
- Use plain Havarti when Butterkäse is unavailable locally.
Availability changes by region, so this article does not recommend a specific cheese brand. The style and ingredient label matter more than matching the packaging seen in a social-media video.
How to Serve a Cheese-Stuffed Sweet Potato
The original combination can be eaten on its own as a simple lunch. For contrast, add crisp cucumber, pickles, or a plainly dressed green salad. Avoid piling on sweet toppings if you want to taste the mild Butterkäse.
For a meat-free holiday spread, use it as inspiration alongside a more substantial vegetarian Thanksgiving main dish. If you are comparing potato textures for a seasonal menu, our Thanksgiving mashed potatoes guide explains how a classic mash behaves differently from a slow-baked sweet potato.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cheese does Courtney Cook use in her sweet potato?
Courtney Cook Bales most often uses Butterkäse, a mild German cheese with a soft, buttery texture. She sometimes uses cheddar, but Butterkäse is the cheese associated with the viral version.
Is Butterkäse the same as butter?
No. Butterkäse is a semi-soft cheese. Its German name translates to butter cheese and describes its mild, buttery character; it is not butter and does not need butter added to work in this dish.
What is the best substitute for Butterkäse?
Plain Havarti is the closest widely available substitute because it is mild, creamy, and softens smoothly. Muenster, young Gouda, and Fontina can also work. Check the label and choose halal-certified cheese or cheese made with microbial or vegetarian enzymes when needed.
Can I use cheddar in Courtney Cook’s sweet potato?
Yes. Courtney has also used cheddar. Mild or medium cheddar keeps the flavor more balanced, while sharp cheddar produces a saltier, tangier result that differs from the Butterkäse version.
How long does Courtney Cook bake the sweet potato?
Reports describe baking the sweet potato at 300°F for roughly 60 to 90 minutes, followed by a long rest in the turned-off oven—often about three hours—to develop a softer, syrupier texture.
Where can I buy Butterkäse?
Check the specialty-cheese case, imported-cheese section, or deli counter at well-stocked supermarkets and German markets. Search for Butterkäse, Butterkase, or German butter cheese, since labeling varies.
The Butterkäse Answer
Butterkäse is the clearest answer to what cheese Courtney Cook uses in her sweet potato. Its mild flavor and creamy texture suit the slow-baked potato better than a strongly aged cheese, while Havarti offers the most practical substitute for many U.S. shoppers.
The key is to keep the idea simple: cook one whole sweet potato until deeply tender, add one thick piece of suitable cheese just before serving, and let the contrast between the sweet potato and mild cheese do the work. Browse more viral and trending recipe guides from Golden Bite Recipes.