The Creamiest Baked Potato Soup Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Creamy baked potato soup embodies pure comfort on chilly days.

Hearty and satisfying, this classic dish refines humble ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience.

Smooth textures dance with robust flavors, creating a symphony of warmth in every spoonful.

Rich and velvety, the soup captures the essence of home-cooked goodness with its depth and complexity.

Rustic yet elegant, it speaks to our deepest cravings for nourishment and solace.

Balanced ingredients merge seamlessly, promising a delightful journey for your taste buds.

Each serving delivers a comforting embrace that feels like a culinary hug.

Why This Baked Potato Soup Is a Cold-Day Savior

• Comfort in a Bowl: This hearty soup delivers ultimate comfort with its rich, creamy texture and classic potato flavor that wraps you in warmth like a cozy blanket.
• Bacon Bliss Technique: Crispy bacon bits provide an incredible crunch and smoky depth, transforming an ordinary potato soup into an extraordinary culinary experience with minimal extra effort.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Melted cheddar cheese creates a luscious, velvety base that adds complex flavor and luxurious smoothness, making each spoonful decadently satisfying without overwhelming complexity.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Ready in under 45 minutes, this soup offers restaurant-quality taste with simple home cooking techniques, perfect for busy families wanting delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

All the Creamy Goodness That Goes Into Every Bowl

• Potatoes: Starchy, hearty vegetable that forms the soups main body with soft, creamy texture.
• Chicken Broth: Provides rich, savory liquid base for the soup with depth of flavor.
• Half-and-Half: Creamy dairy product that adds luxurious smoothness and richness to the soup.

• Bacon, Bacon Drippings: Adds smoky, salty complexity and traditional comfort food character.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese that contributes tangy flavor and creamy consistency.
• Onion: Aromatic vegetable that builds foundational depth in the soups flavor profile.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides robust, warming undertone to the soup.

• Butter: Creates smooth base for roux and adds rich flavor.
• Flour: Thickening agent that helps create soups creamy texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps smooth out the soups consistency.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
• Chives: Fresh herb that provides bright, mild onion-like garnish with visual appeal.

How to Build a Soup That Feels Like a Hug

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients and Bacon

• Grate cheddar cheese and set aside
• Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy
• Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate
• Peel and cube potatoes

Step 2: Cook Potatoes

Place potato cubes in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and add salt. Boil, then simmer until tender (15-20 minutes). Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

Use of bacon drippings to sauté chopped onion for 5 minutes. Add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant for 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Create Roux Base

Melt butter in the same pot, then stir in flour to create a smooth roux. Cook while stirring for about 1 minute to develop rich flavor.

Step 5: Build Soup Liquid

Gradually pour in chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps, then mix in half-and-half. Simmer gently to blend flavors.

Step 6: Incorporate Potatoes and Cream

Return cooked potatoes to the pot and stir in sour cream until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Melt Cheese

Fold in grated cheddar cheese gradually, stirring until it melts smoothly. Maintain low heat to keep the texture creamy.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

• Crispy bacon pieces
• Chopped chives
• Extra cheddar cheese

Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this homemade potato soup!

Tips to Keep Every Bite Smooth and Hearty

• Choose Potatoes Wisely: Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest, most velvety soup texture.
• Control Roux Consistency: Whisk flour and bacon drippings carefully to create a smooth base without burning, which prevents lumpy soup.
• Prevent Cheese Clumping: Add cheese gradually and stir constantly over low heat to ensure silky, even melting without separation.
• Balance Liquid Ratio: Use cold water when boiling potatoes and maintain gentle simmering to keep soup rich and creamy without becoming watery.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Cook bacon first, reserve drippings, and use them to sauté onions for deeper, more complex underlying taste profiles.

How to Reheat Without Losing That Velvety Texture

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the soup's flavor.
• Freezing: Cool the soup completely before freezing in freezer-safe containers. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months. Pro tip: Leave some space at the top of the container, as liquids expand when frozen.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth or half-and-half if the soup seems too thick.

Toppings and Sides That Turn It Into a Meal

• Pair with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Warm, tangy sourdough slices perfectly complement the rich, creamy soup by providing a delightful textural contrast and absorbing the soup's velvety goodness.
• Match with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: The wine's bright, zesty notes cut through the soup's richness, creating a refreshing balance that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Serve Alongside Crisp Green Salad: A light, lemony mixed greens salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a fresh, acidic counterpoint to the hearty, comforting potato soup.
• Complete with Apple Cider: A chilled glass of local apple cider brings a sweet, slightly tart element that harmonizes beautifully with the savory bacon and cheesy undertones of the soup.

Creative Add-Ins That Keep It Interesting Every Time

• Rustic Smoky Potato Chowder: Replace half the chicken broth with smoked chicken stock for a deeper flavor profile. Incorporate diced smoked ham instead of bacon for a rich, woodsy undertone.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Soup: Add diced green chiles and jalapeños during the onion sauté stage. Sprinkle in cumin and chili powder for a southwestern kick. Top with pepper jack cheese and cilantro.
• Vegetarian Potato Comfort Bowl: Swap chicken broth with vegetable stock. Use olive oil instead of bacon drippings. Add roasted cauliflower and sautéed mushrooms for extra protein and depth. Garnish with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
• Loaded Potato Soup Alpine Style: Mix in roasted garlic and fresh thyme during cooking. Replace half-and-half with light cream. Stir in crumbled blue cheese at the end for a tangy mountain-inspired version. Garnish with crispy sage leaves.

Delectable Pancakes Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Fluffy buttermilk pancakes showcase a classic American breakfast delight. Golden-brown discs offer comfort and satisfaction with simple ingredients and easy preparation, inviting breakfast enthusiasts to enjoy a delicious morning treat.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (85 g) chocolate chips or chunks
• 1 ⅓ cups (185 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (25 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 3 tbsps (45 g) canola or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
• Butter or oil for cooking
• 140 g (5 oz) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Dry Mixture Preparation: Sift cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt through a fine-mesh sieve into a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform, lump-free dry foundation.
2. Wet Ingredients Fusion: Whisk eggs with granulated sugar until frothy, then blend in whole milk, vegetable oil (or unsalted butter), and pure vanilla extract to create a smooth, integrated liquid mixture.
3. Batter Assembly: Gently combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain a tender texture – slight lumps are desirable for optimal pancake consistency.
4. Chocolate Enhancement: Delicately fold semi-sweet chocolate chips throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution for consistent chocolate pockets.
5. Ganache Creation: Melt dark chocolate and heavy cream using a microwave or double boiler, stirring continuously until achieving a glossy, silky chocolate sauce.
6. Cooking Preparation: Heat a non-stick griddle or large skillet to medium temperature (350°F/175°C), lightly coating the surface with butter or cooking spray.
7. Pancake Crafting: Pour batter onto the heated surface, allowing adequate spacing between each pancake, and cook until bubbles form across the surface.
8. Finishing Touch: Flip pancakes when bubbles appear, cooking until golden brown on both sides, then plate and lavish with warm chocolate ganache before serving immediately.

Notes

• Sift Dry Ingredients Carefully: Use a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate cocoa powder and flour lumps, ensuring a smooth, consistent pancake batter.
• Whisk Wet Ingredients Thoroughly: Combine eggs and sugar until frothy to create a light, airy base that helps pancakes rise beautifully.
• Minimize Mixing: Stir batter gently to prevent tough pancakes; a few small lumps are perfectly acceptable and contribute to tender texture.
• Chocolate Chip Distribution: Fold chocolate chips evenly throughout batter to guarantee delightful chocolate surprises in every bite.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg