Preheat oven to 400. When temperature is set, place bacon in the oven for 15-17 minutes (until crispy). Remove bacon and place on a paper towel to drain. Crumble the bacon when it is cool enough to handle.
Preheat oven to 375F
Wash, scrub and dry the potatoes. Using a fork, poke each potato 5-7 Times. this ensures even cooking.
Remove bacon and coat the potatoes in the bacon drippings and a generous amount of salt. You read that right…Roll the potatoes in that bacon fat!
Place the potatoes in the middle rack for 45 minutes-1 hour (until fork tender).
Remove potatoes and make an incision down the middle. Pinch the ends of the potato and push inward to make the cut wider.
Using a fork, fluff the potato. Place 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of cheddar on top and return to the the oven until the cheese has melted (3-5 minutes).
Remove from the oven and allow the potatoes to rest for about 5 minutes. Serve with sour cream, chives and a generous amount of bacon crumbles.