Loaded Baked Potato Dip

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bear Creek Country Kitchens®.

The crispness in the air is here, it’s slightly warm in the afternoons and not yet bitterly cold. It’s sweater weather! So with that comes the desire for all things fluffy and comfort. We proudly don our frumpiest sweaters, winter boots with fuzzy socks. I look forward to this time of year. I get to be with my family and just enjoy their company.

Naturally, with this time of year and it being cold outside, seeking comfort in our clothes is not all we search for. We turn to comfort foods. Traditionally, comfort foods are quite the undertaking, sometimes taking hours in the kitchen. I don’t want to always spend hours in the kitchen while everyone else is laughing and having a good time.

There are a couple of solutions to the dilemma of wanting to serve my family comforting foods that warm them body and soul and being part of their company. You can involve them in making the food, which I do often, prep ahead (also a good tip), or find store bought items that help make the holidays warm, comforting and enjoyable for everyone. I like the last option a lot. Everyone can still join in and help, but it doesn’t take hours to prepare.

It’s hard I think to find quality products that will taste like they took hours to prepare in the kitchen. When it’s cold outside nothing is better than curling with a good Hallmark movie and a piping hot bowl of soup. I think it’s very natural to want soup in the winter. Soup is also a great option for feeding a crowd, it goes far and feeds many.

One of my family’s favorite soups is potato soup. It’s so versatile, you can have it just as is, or add what you like to it and its great either way! A really good soup takes a lot of time to make, you have to peel all the potatoes, have all the ingredients on hand, and then pay constant attention to it. Recently, I was reminded of Bear Creek® Soup Mixes. These are delicious soup mixes that are already done for you. You just add water and in minutes they are ready to go. I love every one of their soups that I have tried and I knew that the Cream Potato Soup was perfect for this gathering.

I wanted to make more of an appetizer than a sit down meal for this gathering. I decided to take the Creamy Potato soup and make a Loaded Baked Potato Dip. What?!!!  Serving it up with some crusty French bread and no one will be unhappy with this as an appetizer or a meal.

The directions to make the soup could not be more simple. Bring 8 cups of water to boil, whisk in soup mix, simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes and serve. You can add salt and pepper if you like. I however wanted this to be more of a dip. So I reduced the water to 5 cups, added in sour cream, cheddar cheese, sliced ham, and green onions.

My family destroyed this! It really was amazing! Just do yourself the favor of an easy dinner, or work dish, and make this, you will not be disappointed and neither will your guests.  Give Bear Creek Creamy Potato Soup a try!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bear Creek Soup Mixes.