This is a blow-your-mind-its-so-easy-and-good-soup!! It was our New Year's dinner and my first time making it.

Baked Potato Soup
4 large baked potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
6 cups milk, whole or 2%
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
12 slices cooked bacon, crumbled - I used the pre-cooked Oscar Mayer bacon with 12 slices!
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. sour cream

I used quite a few short cuts to make this recipe happen quickly. I jabbed the 4 potatoes with a fork in several places and stuck them all in the microwave for 26 minutes - easy and quick way to bake them up! Then you need to cut them in half and get all the "pulp" out and save in a separate bowl. In a large pot melt the butter - when melted add the flour and stir until a paste is formed. Gradually stir in milk and continue to stir until smooth, thick and bubbly. I put my pot on med-high after I added the milk and I didn't stir in continuously just frequently. When you notice it thickening up add the potato pulp, salt, pepper, cheese and crumbled bacon. Stir and cook until everything is well heated. Stir in the sour cream and serve. You can transfer it to a crockpot to keep the soup warm.
**Add a few slices of velveeta for a creamier and cheesier soup.