Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes

Watch out mashed potatoes, you have a rival! As you probably know by now I looooove mashed potatoes. However, these bad boys are closing in to take the top spot on my love for those starchy goodies.

Twice baked potatoes sound like a lot of work, but these were quite easy. And sweet Judas, they were amazing.

If you're searching for a way to spruce up your spuds do yourself a favor and give these a go. You will not be disappointed. Pinky swear.

Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes

4 large baking potatoes (Try Yukon Gold or Russet)
8 slices of bacon (not a bacon fan, not even the turkey kind; I reduced the slices to 4 and let Scott have reign on all of that)
1 cup sour cream (I used reduced fat)
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk (I used skim)
4 tablespoons butter (again, used the light stuff)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
8 green onions, sliced, divided

Preheat oven to 350.
Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.
Or, you can microwave the potatoes. It's MUCH faster, and they still taste awesome! For every potato you bake add three minutes in the microwave (i.e. if you're making 4 potatoes, cook for at least 12 minutes). Be sure to check for tenderness. And, don't forget to poke holes in the potatoes, to keep them from blowing up in the microwave... That would be one heck of a mess...

Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.

When the potatoes are done allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes. Slice the potatoes in half, lengthwise, and scoop the flesh into a large bowl leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh so the potato maintains its shape; save the skins.
In the large bowl, add to the potato flesh, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese, 1/2 the green onions, and milk (start by adding 1/4 cup of milk, you may not need to use all the milk, depending on the consistency you want; you don't want your mixture too runny).
Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy.
Spoon the mixture into the potato skins.
Top each potato with remaining cheese, green onions, and bacon.
Place potatoes on a flat baking sheet, and bake for another 15 minutes at 350.

Please, please try these the next time you're looking for a way to fancy up your taters!

Source: From The Girl Who Ate Everything, and found on allrecipes.com.