To a 7 or 8 quart slow cooker, add potatoes, vegetable stock, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Place lid on cooker. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8.

When potatoes are done, use an immersion blender to blend or "cream" the potatoes making sure not to overprocess. You want to leave some of the potato chunks. Stir in milk. Taste and adjust seasoning. Let soup warm through about 15 minutes after adding milk then serve with toppings.