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The twice baked potato has always been one of my favorites. As a bachelor I often did not have time between work and play to make this dish the traditional way so I offer to readers my tips for making twice baked potato's quickly.
First I like to use Yukon Gold potato's but most varieties work fine. For 8 twice baked potato's I use 5 large potato's, remember they are served cut in half. The fifth potato is just to add more of the stuffing inside the potato skin. Wash your potato's and throw them in the microwave, this is a great time saver and really does not compromise flavor once the insides are mashed. I would probably agree that a true baked potato has a much better texture than one that is microwaved, but with twice baked potato's you are essentially making mashed potato's with the insides so this step doesn't compromise flavor.

Once the potato's insides feel soft when poked with a fork they are done. Next cut the potato's in half and get a bowl to put the inside of the potato's in. Take a potato half and scoop out the inside with a spoon and place it in the bowl. Be careful the potato's are hot and do your best not to ruin the skins. Repeat this for all the potato's except the fifth one which the skin can be discarded. Now take the potato skins and place them in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 400 degrees. I like to put a little butter inside of them for flavor. While they are cooking take the insides of the potato's that you placed in a bowl and prepare to mash them. Personally I like to keep it simple and just add butter, a little milk, and salt and pepper. I also to hand mash the potato's to keep them more firm. However, there are many ways that you can prepare this step. My suggestion is to keep it simple and prepare them however you normally prepare your mashed potato's.
Take the skins out of the oven and scoop out your mashed potato's into the skins so the mashed potato is coming over the top of the skin. Finally I like to throw them back into the oven for another 5-10 minutes just to crisp them up. This is also the step where you can get creative without wasting any time. Throw some cheese, bacon bits, chives or whatever you would like on the top and you have created your own twice baked potato. My fiance is very partial to adding a little bacon and cheese to the tops and i would certainly agree.
This simple method of making twice baked potato's is simple and much quicker than the traditional way of making them. If you don't bother to tell anyone that you microwaved the potato's, believe me they won't know.

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