3 Homemade Cream Cheese Flavors For The Perfect Bagel Bite

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Hi Bold Bakers!

Once I landed on the perfect New York Style Bagel recipe it seemed like a waste if I didn’t pair it with my popular How To Make Cream Cheese Recipe.

And, because I don’t do anything by halves, I came up with some new Big and Bold flavors to enhance your bagel eating experience even more: Strawberry, Chocolate, and Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese Flavors.

Even if you have access to cream cheese in stores, I strongly recommend you try making your own at home. There is something really rewarding about making a basic baking ingredient like cream cheese from scratch. Once you see what I mean, you can then move on to other baking essentials like ‘How to Make Homemade Butter’ (yes, it’s possible and so much fun) and ‘How to Make Ricotta Cheese’.

What You Need To Make Different Cream Cheese Flavors

Nothing too fancy, just a standard kitchen blender, food processor, or NutriBullet. Basically, anything pieces of equipment with a blade to really blend your homemade cream cheese spread lovely and smooth.

How to Make Cream Cheese Flavors

As it turns out, making flavored cream cheeses is just as simple as making the cream cheese itself (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, down below)!

• Starting out with the cream cheese, blend it in a food processor or blender until smooth and lump-free. Run a spatula around the machine to get any cream cheese you missed.
• Once smooth, add in your flavors and other ingredients.
• Chill the cream cheese spreads in the fridge for 2 hours before serving on bagels, brioche, french toast, or any bread you like for breakfast.

Tips and Tricks for making Cream Cheese Flavors

• What Cream Cheese to use? Store-bought cream cheese will do the trick, BUT you can also make your own cream cheese from scratch at home with my easy ‘How To Make Cream Cheese Recipe.’
• Silky Smooth: Get your cream cheese very smooth and lump-free first BEFORE adding any of your flavors to it.
• Fat = Flavor: Use full-fat cream cheese for maximum flavor. I would stay away from whipped as it will be too soft.
• Be Prepared: Make the spreads up to 48 hours in advance to have them ready to go for a special breakfast.
• Dried V’s Fresh: When adding herbs feel free to use dried. They often have more flavor and vibrant color.
• Customize: This recipe is very forgiving! Add in any flavors you like to make a spread. You really can’t go wrong.

How do I Store these Cream Cheese Flavors?

Store the cream cheese flavors in an air-tight container in the fridge. I do not recommend storing it in the freezer as the texture of dairy can change when defrosted and lose its silky smoothness. They’ll last in your fridge for up to a week.

If you want, you can make it in smaller batches for ultimate freshness.

Get More Basics!

• How to Make Homemade Butter
• How to Make Homemade Buttermilk Substitute
• Homemade Peanut Butter

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking cookbook for even more recipes!

Full (and printable) recipe below the video!

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Homemade Irish Cream with O'Driscoll's Whiskey

Sweet and Boozy Peach Whiskey Jam Recipe

How to Make a Raspberry Curd Recipe

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sauce Recipe