Buttery Blue Cheese Spread With Walnuts

Very rich spread recipe from Southern Living.

• Ready In: 8 hrs 5 mins
• Yields: 5 cups

Ingredients

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1 (4 ounce) package  crumbled blue cheese
• 1⁄2 cup  diced walnuts, toasted
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped fresh chives
• 1⁄4 cup cream sherry (optional)
• 1 (16 ounce)  round loaf  bread

• Garnishes

•  toasted diced walnuts, chopped fresh chives, rosemary sprigs

Directions

1. Stir together first 5 ingredients and, if desired, sherry in a large bowl; cover and chill mixture 8 hours. Let stand at room temperature to soften; or freeze spread up to 1 month, and thaw in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
2. Hollow out bread loaf, leaving a 1-inch-thick shell; reserve inside of loaf for other uses. Spoon softened cheese spread into shell. Garnish, if desired. Serve with sliced apples and pears or with toasted French baguette slices.