Twice Baked Potatoes (504)

Ingredients:

• 6 small russet potatoes (or baking potatoes)
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ cup salted butter
• ½ cup warm milk (or buttermilk, if needed)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (or green onions, additional for serving)
• 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled, or 3 tablespoons bacon bits, additional for serving (optional))
• 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Scrub the skin of the potatoes and poke them all over with a fork. Bake the potatoes in the oven for 50-60 minutes or until tender. Allow them to cool until they're cool enough to handle.
2. Slice each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out the potato flesh leaving a ⅛-inch shell.
3. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, sour cream, butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash with a potato masher (or hand mixer) until smooth, adding warm milk as needed, to create a creamy fluffy texture. You may not need any or all of the milk.
4. Fold in chives, bacon, and ¾ cup cheddar cheese.
5. Spoon the potato mixture into each skin and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.