It looks like a baked potato smothered in sour cream – but this Idaho-born dish is actually a dessert, and it’s blowing minds online.
Dubbed the ice cream potato, the illusion is as convincing as it is confusing.
There’s no actual potato involved in the $6.69 treat. Instead, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is molded into a spud-like shape, rolled in unsweetened cocoa powder to mimic russet skin, then topped with a swirl of whipped cream to resemble sour cream.
Cookie crumbles are sprinkled over the top to imitate dirt, and some versions even sit in a shallow puddle of chocolate syrup for added drama.
It’s part of the growing trend of ‘fake-out’ cuisine — foods designed to look like something they’re not, à la the viral ‘Is it cake?’ craze.
And nowhere is the ice cream potato more iconic than in Idaho, the state responsible for nearly a third of America’s potato crop.
In Boise, spuds are more than just a staple – they’re a source of civic pride. Locals and tourists alike can sleep in a giant potato-shaped Airbnb, sample six different styles of fries at Boise Fry Company, and indulge in the famous ice cream potato at the city’s nostalgic Westside Drive-In.
The drive-in has been serving the quirky dessert for more than 30 years. Owner and chef Lou Aaron learned the concept from a fellow chef decades ago and brought it to Boise, where it quickly became a fan favorite.
Over the years, he experimented with variations – from cookies-and-cream to maple nut – but the original vanilla version stuck.
Today, the Westside Drive-In sells about 1,000 of the cocoa-dusted creations each month – and more than 10,000 during the nine-day Western Idaho Fair.
It may look like a baked potato – but this Idaho dessert is made entirely from ice cream, cocoa powder, whipped cream and cookie crumbles
The retro-style Westside Drive-In in Boise, Idaho, has been serving the now-viral ice cream potato for more than 30 years
Chef Lou Aaron brought the quirky dessert to Westside Drive-In decades ago after learning the technique from a fellow chef
The dessert’s popularity has spread beyond state lines, with fans recreating it at home and sharing the results online.
Homemade tutorials have been posted by the likes of Martha Stewart, Sandra Lee, and YouTuber Emmymade, making the potato lookalike accessible to curious foodies everywhere.
While some are charmed by the creativity, others aren’t quite sure what to make of the cocoa-covered illusion.
The realistic appearance – and that unexpected chocolate dusting – has proven to be a divisive twist.
Still, the dessert’s bizarre charm is part of its appeal. It’s not just about the taste – it’s about the reveal. And whether you find it delicious or just plain weird, the ice cream potato is a uniquely American blend of humor, regional pride, and sweet indulgence.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream is rolled in cocoa powder to mimic a russet potato, before being topped with whipped cream ‘sour cream’
The ice cream potato costs $6.69 at Westside Drive-in
Some versions even sit in a shallow puddle of chocolate syrup for added drama
So next time you’re craving something cold and quirky, consider swapping your sundae for a spud.
Just make sure your guests know it’s dessert – not dinner.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .