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["Have baked potatoes and cooked bacon ready.", "Preheat oven to 350u00b0F. Lightly grease or butter a 9""x 13"" baking dish; set aside.", "In a medium mixing bowl, scoop out 4 potatoes and mash lightly until a consistent size. In a separate medium mixing bowl, repeat with remaining 6 potatoes.", "Combine salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle1 1/4 teaspoons of the seasoning over the potatoes in the medium bowl; toss to combine. Repeat with the remaining seasoning and the potatoes in the large bowl.", "In a medium bowl, stir together sour cream and softened cream cheese.", "Measure out and reserve 3 tablespoons chopped bacon and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.", "Using the seasoned potatoes from the larger bowl, layer one-half of the potatoes in the bottom of baking dish, followed by 1 cup sour cream mixture, half of the bacon and half of the cheese. Repeat layer once more.", "To the remaining seasoned potatoes, add the remaining sour cream mixture, 1/2 cup milk, and reserved 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Use a hand mixer and beat until fairly smooth, adding more milk if necessary. Scoop potato mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe swirls over the top of the casserole.", "Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 35 -45 minutes, or until golden brown and hot in the center. Remove from oven and garnish with reserved 3 tablespoons of bacon and chopped chives. Serve immediately."]
