5 IRRESISTIBLE HOMEMADE CREAM CHEESE FOR BAGELS

I’m thrilled to share my favorite homemade cream cheese recipes with you today! Making your own cream cheese for bagels at home is easier than you might think, and the results are so much more flavorful than anything store-bought.

Food is my love language, and there’s something magical about spreading homemade cream cheese on a warm, toasted bagel. Whether you’re craving classic cream cheese for bagels or experimenting with bold new flavors, these spreads bring warmth and nostalgia to every bite.

It all started when I was little, watching my Grandma transform simple ingredients into the creamiest, most delicious spreads. She’d stand at the counter, mixing and tasting until everything was just right. “The secret,” she’d tell me with a wink, “is using fresh ingredients and adding a little love.” Those mornings filled with warm bagels and cheese spreads became some of my favorite childhood memories.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with dozens of cream cheese flavors, perfecting these five recipes that I’m sharing with you today. Each one has been tested (and re-tested!) in my own kitchen until it’s absolutely perfect. Whether you prefer something sweet, chocolatey, or savory, there’s a spread here that will make your morning bagel extra special.

Let’s get spreading!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE CREAM CHEESE FOR BAGELS RECIPES

I’ve been making these homemade cream cheese spreads for years, and they’ve become a staple in my kitchen. The combination of warm bagels and cheese spreads creates the perfect breakfast treat that my family requests every weekend.

• Fresh, Real Ingredients: These spreads contain no preservatives or artificial flavors – just simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
• Quick and Simple: Each recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare, making them perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches.
• Versatile Flavors: With five different options, there’s something for everyone – from fruit lovers to chocolate fans to savory breakfast enthusiasts.
• Cost-Effective: Making your own cream cheese spreads costs a fraction of what you’d pay for fancy store-bought varieties.
• Customizable: Each recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences – add more sweetness, spice, or herbs to make them your own. You can even turn them into cream cheese filled bagels by piping the spreads into the centers before baking!

INGREDIENT NOTES LIST

Cream Cheese: The foundation of all these cream cheese for bagels recipes! I always recommend using full-fat cream cheese for the richest, creamiest texture – it creates that perfect spreadable consistency that won’t tear your bagel.

Fresh Strawberries: These add natural sweetness and beautiful color to the strawberry spread. In my kitchen, I prefer using fresh berries when they’re in season, but frozen work wonderfully too – just thaw and drain them first!

Bittersweet Chocolate: The slightly bitter notes balance perfectly with the tangy cream cheese, creating a sophisticated chocolate spread that isn’t too sweet. Make sure to let it cool slightly after melting to prevent the cream cheese from separating.

Fresh Garlic: Nothing beats the aromatic punch of fresh garlic in savory spreads! I’ve found that three cloves give the perfect amount of flavor without overpowering the herbs.

Parsley: This bright herb adds freshness and color to the garlic & herb spread. In my Grandma’s kitchen, fresh herbs were always preferred, but dried work well too – just use about a third of the amount.

Honey: I love using local honey when possible – it adds the perfect natural sweetness to balance the tangy cream cheese and earthy walnuts.

Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts before adding them to the spread brings out their rich, nutty flavor. This simple step makes a huge difference in the final taste!

Caramelized Onions: The slow cooking process transforms sharp onions into sweet, mellow flavor bombs. This takes a little patience, but the depth of flavor is absolutely worth it!

Fresh Chives: These add a mild onion flavor and beautiful green flecks to the spread. I grow chives in my kitchen garden, but store-bought work just as well.

Powdered Sugar: Just a touch sweetens the fruit and chocolate spreads without making them too sugary. The best cream cheese for bagels should have balanced flavors that enhance, not overwhelm.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CREAM CHEESE FOR BAGELS – STEP-BY-STEP

Step 1. Prepare Your Workspace

I always start by gathering all my ingredients and letting the cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This makes it much easier to blend into a smooth, creamy texture without any lumps.

Step 2. Choose Your Flavor

My family has different preferences, so I often make 2-3 varieties at once, especially when we’re also making a fresh batch of New York Style Bagels or Cottage Cheese Bagels with Almond Flour. The strawberry and chocolate spreads are my kids’ favorites, while my husband loves the garlic & herb version on everything bagels.

Step 3. Blend The Base

For each recipe, I place the cream cheese in a food processor or blender and process until completely smooth. My grandmother always said to make sure there are no lumps at this stage – it’s the foundation for a perfect spread!

Step 4. Add Flavor Ingredients

For the strawberry spread, I add fresh berries and powdered sugar, then blend until fully combined. The chocolate version gets melted (and slightly cooled) chocolate plus a touch of powdered sugar. For savory spreads, I add the herbs, garlic, honey, nuts, or caramelized onions at this stage.

Step 5. Taste And Adjust

I’ve found that tasting as you go is essential! Sometimes the strawberries are extra sweet and need less sugar, or the garlic is particularly strong. Don’t be afraid to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.

Step 6. Chill Before Serving

All these cream cheese spreads benefit from at least 2 hours of chilling time. This allows the flavors to meld together and the texture to firm up to the perfect spreading consistency.

Step 7. Serve With Love

My grandmother taught me that presentation matters! I like to sprinkle a few extra toppings on each spread – fresh herb sprigs on the savory ones, a few chocolate shavings on the chocolate spread, or sliced strawberries on the fruit version.

DETAILED RECIPES FOR EACH FLAVOR

Strawberry Cream Cheese For Bagels Spread

This bright, fruity spread is perfect for spring and summer mornings. The strawberries add natural sweetness and a beautiful pink color that makes any breakfast feel special.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 oz / 225 g) cream cheese
• ½ cup (2.5 oz / 71 g) strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, blend the cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add strawberries and powdered sugar. Blend until fully combined.
3. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Chocolate Cream Cheese For Bagels Spread

This decadent spread turns breakfast into a special treat! It’s rich and chocolatey without being too sweet – perfect for chocolate lovers of all ages.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 oz / 225 g) cream cheese
• ¼ cup (1.5 oz / 43 g) bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Blend cream cheese until smooth and lump-free.
2. Add the melted chocolate and powdered sugar. Blend again until combined.
3. Chill for 2 hours before serving. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese For Bagels Spread

This savory spread is my husband’s absolute favorite! It’s packed with fresh herbs and garlic for a flavor that elevates any bagel – especially everything bagels!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 oz / 225 g) cream cheese
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons parsley (fresh or dried)
• 1 tablespoon dried onion

Instructions:

1. Blend the cream cheese until completely smooth.
2. Add garlic, parsley, and dried onion. Blend until well mixed.
3. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Honey Walnut Cream Cheese For Bagels Spread

This spread combines the sweetness of honey with the earthy crunch of toasted walnuts. It’s a wonderful balance of flavors and textures that makes breakfast feel extra special.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 oz / 225 g) cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ¼ cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Blend cream cheese until soft and creamy.
2. Add honey, cinnamon (if using), and walnuts. Blend or stir until combined.
3. Chill for 2 hours before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Chive & Caramelized Onion Cream Cheese For Bagels Spread

This spread is a little more work than the others, but oh my goodness, it’s worth it! The sweet caramelized onions paired with fresh chives create a flavor combination that’s absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 oz / 225 g) cream cheese
• ½ small onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, cook onion in olive oil over low heat until golden and caramelized (about 10 minutes). Let cool.
2. Blend cream cheese until smooth.
3. Stir or blend in the caramelized onion, chives, and salt.
4. Chill for 2 hours before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CREAM CHEESE FOR BAGELS – BEST PAIRINGS

Freshly Toasted Bagels: The classic pairing! In my kitchen, I prefer everything bagels with savory spreads and plain or cinnamon bagels with sweet spreads. Try pairing these spreads with our Jalapeño Cheddar Bagels, Greek Yogurt Blueberry Bagels, or classic High-Protein Bagel Recipe for a satisfying brunch spread everyone will love.

Breakfast Charcuterie Board: Create a beautiful spread with different cream cheese flavors, bagels, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, capers, and sliced vegetables. This is my go-to for weekend brunches with friends!

Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, apple slices, and grapes pair beautifully with the sweet cream cheese spreads. The combination of fresh fruit and cream cheese makes for a lighter breakfast option.

Crackers or Crostini: These cream cheese spreads aren’t just for bagels! They make wonderful appetizers when spread on crackers or toasted baguette slices. The garlic & herb and caramelized onion versions are particularly popular at my gatherings.

Vegetable Sticks: For a lighter option, try the savory spreads with cucumber, carrot, or celery sticks. It’s a refreshing snack that my kids actually ask for!

Breakfast Sandwiches: Use these spreads as a flavorful base for breakfast sandwiches with eggs, bacon, or smoked salmon. They’re also amazing when used in cream cheese filled bagels for a surprise burst of flavor inside every bite.

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CREAM CHEESE FOR BAGELS – FAQS & TIPS

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