Baked Baked Potatoes (Twice!)

Twice baked potatoes are basically the best of two worlds.  You get the baked potato loaded with all the toppings as well as mashed potatoes all mixed into one!   I used just four potatoes for this recipe because only two of use are going to be eating this and when you cut them in half it makes eight servings.

First you bake the potatoes in the oven for a little bit while you start the prep for the filling.  A little butter, bacon bits (fresh), cream cheese, and some seasonings.  Put them all in a bowl and let them soften while the potatoes bake... have you ever tried to mix butter and cream cheese together when they are fresh out of the refrigerator?  Trust me, let it get to room temperature and then mix, your forearms will thank you.

Once all the potatoes are out of the oven, cut them in half and then scoop out (very carefully) the "guts" of the potato.  I recommend holding the potato with a towel, those puppies are hot!  Put the potato guts in the bowl with the butter and cream cheese and mix it all together.  If you do get the ingredients from the fridge, let the hot potato innards soften them up a little before you mix and it will be a bit easier.

Once you have all the filling mixed together, then start "re-stuffing" the potato skins.  I found it easiest to put a spoonful in each one and the repeat until I had an equal amount in each skin.  This way your first one is not overstuffed and your last one is "skinny".  Make sure you form them back together into a potato shape... sometimes the skins are a little flimsy, but the filling will help shape it back into the familiar shape of a potato.

Top with a generous helping of cheese and get ready to put them back in the oven.  I was going to add green onions on the top, but realized that I forgot to buy them... oh well... it would have looked better with the green garnish on the top, but I guess it will still taste pretty good.

Again my excitement got the best of me and we started eating these before I took a final picture... by the time I realized it we had eaten them all!  Sometimes I just can't help myself!  Next up is Creamy Rosemary Potatoes and Roasted Beef Tenderloin!  Looking forward to "eating" with you soon!

Mark