Baked Potato

Instructions

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
2. Scrub the potatoes, then with a paper or kitchen towel, pat very dry. Prick the skins all over with the tines of a fork.
3. Set an oven safe wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Place potatoes on top of. If you don’t have a wire rack, you can bake the potatoes directly on the oven rack (place a cookie sheet on the rack below to catch any drips).
4. Bake potatoes for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the center of the largest potato is 205 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. The potatoes should feel soft when squeezed and easily pierce with a fork.
5. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Brush the outsides all over with melted butter or oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Return the potatoes to the oven and bake for 10 minutes more.
7. As soon as the potatoes come out of the oven, cut a slit in them to allow the steam to escape (this keeps them fluffy). Gently press the ends of the potatoes to push them open. Fluff and enjoy with salt, butter, and other toppings of choice.