Bagel with Cream Cheese (Print version)

Toasted bagel topped with a creamy spread and fresh, flavorful additions for a quick meal.

# Required ingredients:

→ Bagel

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

→ Cream Cheese

02 - 2 to 3 tablespoons cream cheese, plain or flavored (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 - Horizontally slice the bagel into two halves using a serrated knife.
02 - Toast both halves in a toaster or under a broiler until golden and crisp, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Evenly spread a generous layer of cream cheese over each warm bagel half with a spreading knife.
04 - Top with desired ingredients such as sliced cucumber, tomato, smoked salmon, dill, capers, or red onion.
05 - Present immediately while the bagel is warm for optimal flavor and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under 10 minutes, which means you can actually make breakfast on a weekday without stress.
  • The warm-and-cold contrast makes it feel more special than it has any right to be.
  • Endlessly customizable, so you can build something different depending on your mood or what's in your fridge.
02 -
  • Toasting is non-negotiable; a room-temperature bagel tastes flat and uninspiring, but a warm one suddenly comes alive.
  • Moisture control matters—if you're using fresh vegetables, pat them dry with a paper towel, or they'll turn the bagel into a soaked sponge within minutes.
03 -
  • Keep your cream cheese slightly cold but not straight from the fridge—it spreads more smoothly and stays creamy instead of turning into cold globs.
  • The few seconds you spend drying off fresh vegetables makes the difference between a perfectly textured bagel and a soggy disappointment.
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