Soup and Buns 2

So as promised, I will post my recipe for Baked Potato Soup today.  In all truthfulness, I got a recipe for this soup a long time ago and have tweaked it repeatedly until it has become my own.  My husband and kids love it and I have made it for large groups of people and had it devoured. 

I made a huge batch of this for an event at church for young women and their mothers (young women aged 12-18) and put it in my portable roasting pan (full to the brim) and it was scraped clean at the end of the evening though there were other soups available.  I have had tons of people ask for this recipe and so I guess it is finally time to share this treat with you.

Callie's Baked Potato Soup**not for those seeking a low fat recipe!!

1 pound bacon

2/3 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup flour
7 cups milk
1 cup ½ and ½ cream
6 large baked potatoes (I peel half of them) cubed **I sometimes add 2 more potatoes depending on size
4 green onions, chopped
2cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tub - 1 tub garlic and herb cream cheese spread

Fry bacon in skillet until crisp.  Drain fat, crumble and set aside.
In stock pot, melt margarine over medium heat.  Whisk in flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly until thickened.  Stir in potatoes and onions.  Bring to a boil stirring frequently.
Reduce heat.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, salt and pepper.  Continue cooking, stirring frequently until cheese is melted.

This soup is truly one of our family favorites and I hope you love it like we do!!