French Party Loaf

8 servings Prep: 20 m Cook: 1 h Total: 1 h 20 m Beginner
Giving a party? Try this French loaf sensation filled with sour cream, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, green onions, and your choice of ham or chicken. The hollowed-out bread round becomes an edible bowl filled with a warm, cheesy dip that’s perfect for entertaining.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 French Bread Round or Sour Dough Round
  • 1 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup ham, chopped fine, or cooked chicken
  • 1/3 cup green chilies, chopped
  • dash of Worcestershire sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Slice the top of the bread off and hollow out the inside, creating a bread bowl. Reserve the scooped-out bread pieces for dipping.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, green onion, ham or chicken, green chilies, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
  4. Pour the cheese mixture into the hollow of the bread. Put the cap back on and wrap the bread completely in aluminum foil.
  5. Bake in the preheated 350 degree oven for one hour until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. When serving, remove the foil and use the reserved scooped-out pieces of bread for dipping, or serve with crackers or chips.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?

A: Yes! You can assemble the filled bread loaf up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it wrapped in foil in the refrigerator, then bake when ready to serve. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.

Q: The cheese mixture is too thick to pour - what should I do?

A: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before mixing. If needed, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds to soften further. The mixture should be thick but spreadable.

Tips and Techniques

Make sure to wrap the bread completely in foil to prevent the crust from getting too hard during the long baking time. The foil traps moisture and keeps the bread soft and perfect for dipping.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • ham: cooked and crumbled bacon or diced salami
  • cheddar cheese: Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese
  • green chilies: diced jalapeños or roasted red peppers
  • French bread round: sourdough round or pumpernickel round

Equipment Needed

  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Aluminum foil
  • Serrated knife for slicing bread

Historical Context

Bread bowl appetizers like this became popular party fare in the 1970s and 1980s, offering an impressive presentation with minimal effort. The edible bowl means less cleanup and more fun.