Bagel with Cream Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Toasted bagel topped with creamy cream cheese and a selection of fresh optional garnishes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bagel

01 - 1 bagel (any variety: plain, sesame, whole wheat)

→ Cream Cheese

02 - 2 to 3 tablespoons cream cheese (plain or flavored, e.g., chive, veggie, smoked salmon)

→ Optional Toppings

03 - Sliced cucumber
04 - Sliced tomato
05 - Smoked salmon
06 - Fresh dill
07 - Capers
08 - Red onion slices

# How To Make It:

01 - Cut the bagel horizontally into two even halves using a serrated knife.
02 - Toast both bagel halves in a toaster or under the broiler until golden and crisp, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Spread a generous layer of cream cheese evenly over each warm bagel half using a spreading knife.
04 - Top with any desired optional ingredients such as sliced cucumber, tomato, smoked salmon, fresh dill, capers, or red onion slices.
05 - Serve immediately while the bagel is still warm for best flavor and texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under ten minutes, which means even on chaotic mornings you can eat something that tastes intentional.
  • You can dress it up with fancy toppings or keep it plain depending on your mood, your fridge, and how much time you have.
02 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step even if you're in a hurry—a cold bagel is technically a bagel, but a toasted bagel is a breakfast decision.
  • The moment the cream cheese hits the warm bagel, it becomes silky and easy to spread; if you wait until the bagel cools, you're fighting the cream cheese and making unnecessary work.
03 -
  • If your cream cheese is cold and stiff, let it sit at room temperature for just a few minutes before spreading—it'll glide onto the warm bagel like you actually know what you're doing.
  • A serrated knife makes clean slicing effortless; a dull regular knife will squash the bagel, so choose your tool wisely.
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