Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177ºC).

Step 2

Cut a thin, about 1-inch thick, oval slice off the top of the loaf of French bread leaving a couple of inch perimeter. Set aside top. Remove most of the soft part of the bread, leaving a sturdy portion on the sides and bottom. You can save the soft bread to use later with the dip if desired.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese (8 ounces) for 2 minutes with a handheld mixer until light and fluffy. Add the next 7 ingredients to the cream cheese and mix until well combined. Spoon the mixture into the hollowed bread bowl. Place the saved bread top on top of the loaf.

Step 4

Wrap the entire loaf in a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Serve with reserved bread or crackers.