Description
A delicious and simple guide to enjoying bagels and cream cheese with classic, sweet, and savory combinations, plus tips for homemade bagels and flavored cream cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
For Homemade Bagels:
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 quarts water (for boiling)
- 2 tablespoons honey or malt syrup (for boiling)
For Classic Cream Cheese Spread:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Bagel Toppings:
- Smoked salmon & capers
- Sliced tomato & cucumber
- Honey & walnuts
- Peanut butter & banana
- Avocado & everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
Making Homemade Bagels:
- In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, yeast, and sugar. Slowly add warm water and oil, kneading until a firm dough forms.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Divide dough into 8 equal pieces, shape into balls, then poke a hole in the center and stretch into a bagel shape.
- Let shaped bagels rest for 20 minutes while you bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add honey or malt syrup to the water.
- Boil bagels for 30-60 seconds per side, then transfer to a baking sheet.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Making Cream Cheese Spread:
- In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, milk, and salt until smooth.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Serving Suggestions:
- Slice a fresh bagel and toast if desired.
- Spread cream cheese generously over each half.
- Add favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Store homemade bagels in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Use whipped cream cheese for a lighter texture.
- For a sweeter spread, add honey, cinnamon, or mashed berries to the cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel with 2 tbsp cream cheese
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: bagels and cream cheese, homemade bagels, cream cheese spread, breakfast bagel, bagel toppings