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Ice Cream Potato | Traditional Ice Cream From Boise, United States of America | TasteAtlas

Ice cream potato

Ice cream potato is a whimsical ice cream dessert native to Boise, Idaho, that playfully masquerades as a baked potato but is, in fact, entirely sweet. Despite its convincing appearance, this optical illusion is made from vanilla ice cream shaped like a russet potato, rolled in cocoa powder to mimic the earthy potato skin, and loaded with sweet "toppings" designed to look just like the real thing.


It's quirky, regional, and unapologetically fun—a dessert that celebrates Idaho's most famous crop with a wink and a smile. This novelty treat typically begins with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream hand-molded into an oblong, potato-like shape.


It's then rolled in dark cocoa powder, which gives it the rough, brown exterior of a baked potato fresh from the oven. But the illusion doesn't stop there.  Read more

The "potato" is usually split across the top, revealing a fluffy "filling" of whipped cream. A drizzle of yellow-colored frosting or white chocolate mimics melted butter, and sprinkles, chopped nuts, or crushed cookies may be added to resemble chives, bacon bits, or black pepper.


The ice cream potato is most famously served at the Westside Drive-In in Boise, where it has achieved something of a cult following among locals and curious visitors. It’s become an unofficial edible mascot of Idaho’s food scene—equal parts kitsch and craftsmanship, with a surprisingly delicious flavor that lives up to its visual impact.


Though it may look like a loaded baked potato, the flavor is all dessert: creamy vanilla, rich cocoa, light whipped cream, and sweet toppings that come together in an unexpectedly harmonious combination. The result is a playful and indulgent dish, grounded in local pride and served with a sense of humor.

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