When making ice cream, you know that the ingredients list is pretty simple - milk, cream, sugar. However, Poppy O’Toole’s version has a secret ingredient you’d never even think of.

If you’re in the know, then you’ll have realised that Poppy O’Toole is also known as the potato queen, so, yes, you guessed it, her secret ingredient in the ice cream is indeed potatoes.

If you’re baffled, have no fear, because we were, too. But Nigella Lawson given it her seal of approval, so we’re keen to try.

Poppy announced that she’s an Ocado Brand Ambassador, and was excited to create this “fun new recipe” for them, gushing about how she’d had the opportunity to blend her “two favourite things together”.

Poppy captioned her Instagram video: “When my two favourite things collide… POTATO ICE CREAM”.

First, she instructed people to fork the potatoes before putting them in the oven to bake. Next, cut them in half and push them through a sieve to create a mash. Separately, mix cream and vanilla extract and whip it up. Then, get some condensed milk and add it to the potatoes.

You can then pop all that into the freezer. Then comes the fun bit - making the toppings.

Poppy said that “on top of the lovely ice cream, you need something a little bit savoury, so we’ve got sticky maple-glazed bacon”.

When she got the ice cream out of the freezer, she popped on the bacon, some potato sticks, and tucked in.

Poppy recommends that you “take it out of the freezer 15-20 mins before serving so it’s the perfect scoopable texture”.

Poppy said: “People might know me for my roasties, but now it’s time for potato-based desserts to enter the chat. Sounds a bit wild, I know – but trust me, it works. I’ve always loved showing how everyday ingredients can surprise you, and teaming up with Ocado gave me the perfect excuse to finally master the art of potato ice cream.

“Maris Pipers give it that velvety, creamy texture while keeping the sweetness in check, and topped with a bit of maple bacon or potato sticks? You’re in summery dessert heaven. Unexpected, unapologetic, and absolutely delicious”

The iconic Nigella Lawson weighed in, calling the recipe ‘Fabulous’ and praising the bizarre combination of ingredients, also referring to Poppy as the potato queen via emojis.

Ingredients:

Serving suggestions:

Top with either:

• Maple bacon (recipe below)

• Ready salted potato sticks (for a veggie option)

Method:

1. Heat the oven to 220ºC / 200ºC fan / gas 7. Pierce the Maris Piper potatoes all over with a fork and roast them directly on the oven rack for about 1 hr, until completely tender.

2. Once cool enough to handle, slice in half and scoop out the flesh. Push 250-270g of the potato through a fine sieve using a spatula (or your hands if you don’t mind getting messy!) until smooth, then let it cool completely.

3. Stir the mashed potato into the condensed milk until fully combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream and vanilla to medium-stiff peaks. Gently fold the potato mixture into the cream mixture with a pinch of salt, being careful not to knock too much air out.

5. Spoon into a container (such as a loaf tin or large Tupperware) and freeze for 6–8 hrs, or overnight if possible.

6. Remove from the freezer 15–20 mins before serving to soften. Scoop into cones or bowls and finish with your chosen topping.

Maple Bacon (optional topping):

For that salty-sweet crunch

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Heat oven to 200ºC / 180ºC fan / gas 6.

2. Mix the maple syrup and sugar in a small bowl.

3. Lay bacon on a lined baking tray, brush with half the maple mixture, and bake for 15 mins.

4. Flip, brush with the remaining mixture, and return to the oven for another 10 mins.

5. Let cool, then slice into small pieces to sprinkle on top.

The recipe received a mix of reactions online, with some people calling it "genius", and others a "crime". "Poppy. Is this April fools?! Can't say I'm not intrigued for a lick though…," said one person. "This is genius," added another. A third joked: "Stop it now. I'm ringing the police, a crime has happened here."