Buttery Blue Cheese Spread with Walnuts

Yield
about 5 cups (24 appetizer servings)
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 bread loaf
* Garnishes: toasted diced walnuts, chopped fresh chives, rosemary sprigs


Preparation
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.

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.

source by:myrecipes.com
recipes by:Southern Living
photo:Southern Living