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1
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
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2
Use scissors or a very sharp knife to cut the bacon into tiny pieces.
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3
In a small frying pan over medium heat, fry the pieces until crispy.
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4
Remove bacon from the pan, drain grease and set aside.
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5
Add the mini potatoes to a large bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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6
Stir to coat the potatoes.
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7
Pour the potatoes onto an unlined rimmed baking sheet.
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8
Bake for 30 40 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through, stirring once.
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9
Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
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10
At the same time, wash the russet potatoes.
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11
Pierce the skin with a fork and bake alongside the mini potatoes.
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12
These will take a little bit longer to bake depending on the size of the potatoes, approximately 50 to 60 minutes.
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13
To test for doneness, lightly squeeze the potato between your thumb and forefinger and if it indents easily then the potato is done.
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14
Once cooked through, remove the potatoes from the oven and slice them in half.
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15
Scrape the inside of the potato away from the skin and add it into a medium bowl.
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16
Add the butter, cream cheese, milk, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese into the bowl with the potato flesh.
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17
Use an electric mixer to mix all of the ingredients together until smooth and the cheese is completely melted.
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18
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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19
Add the potato mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a small star tip.
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20
(This step is optional, but it adds a more decorative finish to the presentation.)
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21
Set aside.
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22
The mini potatoes will need to be cut in order to stand upright without falling over.
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23
Find the side of the potato that is the most even and straight.
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24
Cut a small slice off so that it will sit straight.
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25
Take a slightly larger slice off the other end to make an even surface for piping the potato/cheese mixture.
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26
Set them upright on the baking tray.
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27
Pipe the potato/cheese mixture on top of each mini potato.
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28
If youre not using a pastry bag and tip, you can simply use a spoon to make a small mound of potato/cheese mixture on the top of each.
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29
Sprinkle with finely chopped chives and a few pieces of bacon.
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30
Before serving, bake for 15 minutes at 350 F until heated through.
