Why settle for plain cream cheese when you can mix up your own gourmet flavors at home in just 5 minutes? From smoky salmon to savory bacon-scallion and herby garlic, these easy recipes will take your bagels to the next level!
I love mixing up my own flavored cream cheese at home because I can control exactly what goes into it—from the level of salt and sugar to the quality of the ingredients. The result? A smooth and creamy spread that’s fresh and bursting with flavor.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly baked homemade bagel (if you’ve never made bagels before, try my recipe—it’s surprisingly easy!), topped with a generous slather of DIY cream cheese. It’s a match made in heaven! Below you’ll find three of my favorite cream cheese flavors: smoked salmon, bacon-scallion, and garlic herb.
Each recipe comes with simple, step-by-step instructions, so you can easily whip up a batch at home. Plus, I’ll share tips on how to customize each flavor to suit your taste—whether you like it extra smoky or loaded with fresh herbs. Let’s dive in and transform your bagel experience into something extraordinary!
- Cream cheese: Each flavor starts with 8 ounces, so I like to buy a block of cream cheese. Use your favorite—full-fat, low-fat, whipped or even vegan all work well for this recipe.
- Flavoring: The possibilities are endless! From fresh herbs and spices to a variety of sweet or savory mix-ins, the fresher your ingredients, the tastier your cream cheese will be. I’ll walk you through some of my favorite combinations below.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
I always use my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to make flavored cream cheese—it’s quick, easy and gives me the smoothest, creamiest texture. But if you don’t have one, a hand mixer or a good ol’ bowl and sturdy spatula will do the trick, too!
- Bring your cream cheese to room temperature. Softening it will make it easier to mix. Depending on the temperature in your kitchen, this usually takes about 30 minutes. Pro tip: Unwrap the brick while it’s still cold to avoid any sticky mess!
- Beat until smooth and creamy. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese until completely smooth and fluffy. This step ensures your mix-ins blend evenly into every bite.
- Pick your flavor and stir it in. Now for the fun part—flavoring your cream cheese! Choose one of the variations below and mix until well combined.
- Serve or stash it in the fridge to let the flavors intensify. You can absolutely enjoy it right away, but if you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for an hour or so, the flavors will deepen and become even more delicious.
Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese
Skip the lox and whip smoked salmon and fresh dill and chives directly into cream cheese to create the ultimate bagel shop-style spread. I start with six ounces of flaked smoked salmon and two tablespoons of each fresh herb but feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Bacon-Scallion Cream Cheese
My personal favorite! Crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and scallions (with an optional kick of jalapeño) make this spread bold, smoky and completely irresistible.
Garlic Herb Cream Cheese
This herbaceous spread features diced cucumber for crunch, plus a mix of fresh tarragon, parsley, chives, dill, garlic, and lemon zest for the perfect balance of brightness and zing.
Storage Instructions
Most flavored cream cheeses will last for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serving Ideas
I love to slather my flavored cream cheese on just about anything! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Freshly baked homemade bagels
- Toasted sourdough bread or no-yeast bread
- Crisp veggies like cucumber slices, bell peppers or carrot sticks
- Crackers or pita chips for an easy appetizer
Ingredients
Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temp
Flavor (choose one)
Smoked Salmon
- 6 ounce 6 oz. smoked salmon, flaked
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Bacon-Scallion
- 1 cup chopped cooked bacon
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
- 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
Garlic Herb
- 1/3 cup finely diced cucumber
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 Tablespoon grated lemon zest
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Choose your cream cheese flavor and add all the ingredients to the bowl. Stir until everything’s well combined.
- Serve immediately or chill for at least an hour to let the flavors intensify.
Kelly’s Notes
- Most flavored cream cheeses will last for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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