Buttery Blue Cheese Spread with Walnuts

Ingredients

• 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 ounces 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

Instructions

1. Stir together first 5 ingredients and, if desired, sherry in a large bowl; cover and chill mixture 8 hours.
2. Let stand at room temperature to soften; or freeze spread up to 1 month, and thaw in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
3. 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.
4. Serve with sliced apples and pears or with toasted French baguette slices.

Makes about 5 cups (24 appetizer servings).

Source: Southern Living online - December 2000