Make-Ahead Twice-Baked Potatoes

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2

Wash potatoes and pat dry.

Step 3

Place potatoes, not touching, on a large baking sheet.

Step 4

You may need two baking sheets.

Step 5

Spray potatoes generously with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 6

Sprinkle outside of potatoes with a little salt.

Step 7

Bake 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until potatoes "give" when gently squeezed, indicating they are done.

Step 8

In large mixing bowl, add butter, cream cheese, salt and pepper and mix well.

Step 9

With a serrated knife, cut baked potatoes in half lengthwise, being careful to leave skins unbroken.

Step 10

With large spoon, scoop out the inside of potatoes, leaving a thin layer of potato attached to the inside of the skin.

Step 11

Place potato skin shells, skin side down, on the baking sheet used to bake the potatoes.

Step 12

Put scooped out potato in mixing bowl as you remove it and mix to combine with butter mixture, adding skim milk as needed to make potatoes the consistency of slightly stiff mashed potatoes.

Step 13

You may need a little more or less milk to get the final desired consistency.

Step 14

Using the palm of your hand to support the potato shell while filling, spoon and press potato mixture into each half potato shell.

Step 15

Return filled shell to baking sheet.

Step 16

Sprinkle with shredded cheese and pat cheese to make it adhere to the potatoes.

Step 17

TO SERVE IMMEDIATELY: Return baking pan of potatoes to oven and bake about 15-25 minutes until potatoes are hot and cheese is melted.

Step 18

TO FREEZE FOR LATER USE: Cover potatoes with plastic wrap and place baking sheet in freezer, leaving several hours until potatoes are completely frozen.

Step 19

Remove potatoes from freezer and wrap each potato in a resealable plastic sandwich bag.

Step 20

Place wrapped potatoes into one or more gallon resealable freezer bags.

Step 21

Store in freezer for up to 3 months.

Step 22

TO COOK FROZEN POTATOES: Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 23

Place potatoes on baking sheet and loosely cover with aluminum foil.

Step 24

Bake about 45 minutes.

Step 25

Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or more until potatoes are hot.

Step 26

Do not over bake.

Step 27

This method keeps the potato skins firm and crisp.

Step 28

If time is short, place potatoes in microwave and cook on high about 10 minutes.

Step 29

Remove and then place in 350°F oven to finish cooking.

Step 30

IN A BIG HURRY: These potatoes can be completely heated from frozen state in the microwave, heating them just until they are hot.

Step 31

Potato skins will be softer than if cooked in the oven.

Step 32

OR, they can be defrosted in the microwave and reheated, uncovered, in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot.