Twice Baked Potatoes

SUPER EASY, semi-fancy side dish! A great alternative to mashed potatoes. This is one of our favorite side dishes and is always a hit with company. Prep Time: about 15 minutes (cook bacon, chop bacon, mix filling) Cooking Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 20 min. total

Ingredients:
• 4 Potatoes
• ½ Package Bacon (cooked and cut into small pieces), divided (OPTIONAL, but VERY good!!)
• 1 - 2 cups Cheese, divided (your fav type)
• 1 cup Sour Cream (optional)
• 4 T Butter (or more...the more the merrier!)
• Milk
Salt and Pepper

Directions:
Bake potatoes directly on rack in 400 degree oven for 45 min. to 1 hour or until “baked potato” soft. Cut top ¼ of potato skin out. Spoon potato from skin and place in a bowl. With a hand mixer, mix in sour cream, butter, ¾ of the bacon and 1 cup cheese, salt and pepper to taste; Beat well. Add milk to make mashed-potato consistency. Spoon mixture back into skins. Top with additional cheese & remaining bacon. Sprinkle with dried or fresh parsley, if desired. Put on a baking sheet in the oven for 20 more minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly but not hard and crusted.