Toasted Bagel with Cream Cheese (Printable version)

Golden toasted bagel topped with rich, creamy cheese and your favorite fresh toppings.

# Ingredients list:

→ Bagel Base

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

→ Cream Cheese Spread

02 - 2–3 tbsp cream cheese (plain or flavored, such as chive, veggie, or smoked salmon)

→ Optional Toppings

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

# Steps:

01 - Slice the bagel in half horizontally using a serrated knife.
02 - Toast both halves in a toaster or under a broiler until golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes.
03 - Spread a generous layer of cream cheese on each warm bagel half using a spreading knife.
04 - Add any desired optional toppings, such as sliced cucumber, tomato, smoked salmon, dill, capers, or red onion.
05 - Serve immediately while the bagel is warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes literally eight minutes from craving to first bite, perfect for those cant think straight mornings
  • The warm bagel against cool cream cheese creates this temperature contrast that wakes up your palate better than any alarm clock
02 -
  • Spreading cold cream cheese on hot bagels causes tearing and uneven distribution, so take those five minutes to let it sit on the counter while you toast
  • Overtoasting creates this hard crust that fights back when you bite, so pull them when theyre golden rather than waiting for deep brown
03 -
  • Rotate your bagel halves halfway through toasting if your toaster has hot spots, otherwise youll get one perfect side and one sadly pale side
  • Leftover toasted bagels freeze beautifully wrapped individually, then thaw in the microwave for thirty seconds and youve got breakfast in under a minute
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