Easy Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Bread

Name: Easy Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Bread
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese (lite is okay), very soft; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (half of 1 stick) , very soft; 2 cups (about 8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese (monterey jack, fontina, or another easy-melting cheese may be substituted); 1/2 cup cooked and diced bacon (from about 8 strips); 1/4 cup jalapeno peppers, diced with about 6 rounds reserved for garnishing (from about 1 small jalapeno); 2 teaspoons garlic powder, or to taste (1 to 2 finely minced garlic cloves may be substituted); 1 loaf French bread, sliced lengthwise (you will only use 1 of the halves for the recipe)