Twice Baked Potatoes

This recipe came from wanting something different besides baked potatoes. I usually only make these at Christmas time because Doug thinks that they are special...


Twice Baked Potatoes


I use baking potatoes. mainly because they are big and they hold up well. I also get one or two extra in case of mistakes... If no mistakes are made, I use them for the filling and let Doug eat the rest....

Bake potatoes in the oven like you are making baked potatoes, you can do this in the microwave, but I love the crunchy skins. Let potatoes cool enough to be able to handle them. Cut in half length ways, so they look like a potato boat. Using a table spoon or teaspoon, spoon out the middle being careful to leave about 1/3 of an inch around the sides. (Tip: I have done less, but the sides do not hold up well.).

Take the potato's middle and put in a separate bowl. After you have done all the potatoes, I put the 'shells' in the refrigerator to firm up. With the filling in the bowl, prepare as you would mashed potatoes, using less milk. You want the filling to be not runny and firm. I then add a whole bag of Colby jack cheese and about 10 slices of bacon. You can add what ever you want to the basic recipe. Mix together well. When you are ready, spoon filling into the shells, being generous. Fill over the top. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You want to bake for about 45 minutes or until heated through. I always put extra cheese and bacon on top.

Tips: I make these the day before and leave in the refrigerator overnight before filling the shells, mainly because the shells firm up and the filling firms up and I can fill using my hands. I have made these with just butter and salt and pepper, also just cheese. When doing just cheese with bacon and cheese, be sure to top those with bacon with a couple of bacon pieces so that you know which is which.... Also remember, you are using half potatoes, so if you need 4 halves, you buy 2 potatoes. I buy extra in case....