Baked Potato in a Bowl Soup

This soup is unreal! It is so good, every time. I promise you that it is worth the work. My husband, Jon, has unhealthy addiction to potatoes. Joking, but potatoes seriously bring him joy no matter what form they are in. I've tried multiple recipes in search of one that we both thought was a keeper. This is it! Try it, you will not be disappointed! 

• 5 lg baking potatoes
• 1 med onion, chopped
• 1 qt half-and-half
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 c butter or margarine
• 1/3 c all-purpose flour
• 3 c milk
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. Prick each potato several times with a fork. Microwave @ High heat for 20 minutes, turning each over at the 10 minute mark. Let cool.
2. Peel with a knife, just pulling the skin off of the potato. Mash with a fork so that the potato will be coarsely mashed.
3. Melt 1/4 c butter in a Dutch oven-like pot @ Med heat, add onion and saute until softened.
4. Add flour and the rest of the butter until smoothly mixed.
5. Stir in potatoes, half-and-half, milk, salt and pepper; cook @ Low heat for 15 minutes.
6. Top with cheese; bacon and green onion (chopped) optional as toppings.