Creamy French Onion Dip

Name: Creamy French Onion Dip
Ingredients: 3 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 5 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced; 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 2 bay leaves; ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes; 1 sprig thyme, plus more for serving; 1¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided; 8 oz. cream cheese (such as Philadelphia cream cheese), room temperature; ¾ cup mayonnaise; ¾ cup sour cream; 1 lb. Gruyère, coarsely grated, divided (about 4 cups); Freshly ground black pepper; ½ cup panko; 1 baguette, sliced; 2 pears, sliced; 2 red endive, leaves separated