Twice-Baked Potato Recipe

There's Nothing Quite as Good as Dad's Twice-Baked Potatoes

July 30, 2010

Twice-baked potatoes are quite possibly my favorite dish of all time. It's odd how I've never written about them, because for the first 20 years of my life, my annual birthday dinner included my dad's famous twice-baked potatoes.

Seriously, these twice-baked potatoes are so good that I lick the bowl when making them. The secret to them — now keep an open mind here — is Velveeta. It's smooth and creamy and melts wonderfully, and makes these twice-baked potatoes absolutely addictive. We've tried other cheeses: gruyere, cheddar, monterey jack, but we always come back to the Velveeta.

Another key to a fluffy and thick filling is copious amounts of butter and milk. I never said they were healthy, but they are downright delicious. I advise serving them how my dad does: next to a generous portion of steak! To indulge in my beloved twice-baked potatoes, get my father's recipe after the break.

From Patrick Sweeney

Twice-Baked Potatoes

Twice-Baked Potato Recipe 2010-07-30 11:34:50

Ingredients

4 baking potatoes
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of butter
1/2-3/4 cup milk
6 ounces Velveeta
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 slice of cooked bacon, chopped (optional, for topping)
1 green onion, chopped (optional, for topping)

Directions

Preheat an oven to 400°F. Wash the potatoes and pierce several times with a fork. Bake the potatoes for 1 hour until soft. Remove from the oven.
When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut an oval on top of each potato. Remove the skin. Save the skins for making potato skins or discard. Scoop out the flesh of the potato being careful not to break the skin.
Place the potato flesh in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and cheese and mash the potatoes with a potato masher.
With an electric mixer, beat the potatoes and slowly pour in the milk. Beat until mixture is thick and creamy. Taste test: if mixture is too thick, add more milk. If not cheesy enough, add more cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Scoop the mixture back into the potato skins.
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake the potatoes for 15 minutes until the tops begin to brown. Remove from the oven. If desired, top with additional cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. Bake for 1 minute more, until cheese melts. Enjoy immediately!

Serves 4.