Baked Potato Soup

I got this VERY yummy recipe from my sister Melanie! Soo good with breadsticks!
SERVES 4
1 1/3 medium baked potatoes
2 teaspoons butter
2/3 cup diced white onion
1 1/3 teaspoons flour
2 2/3 cups chicken stock
1 1/3 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup instant mashed potatoes
2/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon thyme
2/3 cup half-and-half
Garnish
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
1 1/3 green onions, chopped
Directions
1 Melt butter in a large saucepan and sauté onion until light brown.
2 Add the flour to the onions and stir to make a roux.
3 Add stock, water, cornstarch, mashed potatoes and spices to the pot and bring to a boil.
4 Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
5 Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop out.
6 Discard skins.
7 Chop potato flesh into 1/2 inch chunks.
8 Add chopped potato and half and half to the saucepan, bring soup back to a boil, reduce and simmer for 15 minutes.
9 Ladle into bowls, and serve with 1 tbsp cheese, 1/2 tbsp bacon bits and 1 tsp onion sprinkled on top.