Try This On Your Bagel: Sweet Edition

Two things that automatically make a good bagel: 1. generous time spent in a toaster 2. a good quality cream cheese.

It's undeniable that bagels have a natural beauty that make them an easily preparable meal. But what if we, as bagel consumers, spent the time to really garnish our beloved bread product? What  if we unlocked the full potential of what our breakfast entree could really be?

After extensive research, test-tasting, and ransacks of my family's refrigerator, I have compiled a list  of ways to top a bagel  that go beyond cream cheese. This blog post, in particular, will focus on bagel toppings perfect for sweet-tooths or anyone looking for a flavor profile that's comprised of more than just bacon, egg, and cheese.

1. Strawberry Cream Cheesecake

Hear me out: asiago bagel + plain cream cheese + fresh strawberries = Strawberry Cheesecake Bagel. The perfect balance of sweet and savory. Fresh fruit has the ability to elevate any food you put it on, and boy does it taste amazing on an asiago bagel. One thing to note is that it is crucial to drain any excessive juice from the strawberries so as not to result in a soggy bagel. Nevertheless, let the record show that fresh strawberries are hands down one of the best bagel toppings. 

2. Orange Cream Cheese-sicle

This plain bagel is topped with honey almond cream cheese, toasted walnuts, and orange zest. The subtle orange notes go a long way and perfectly complement the honey in the shmear. In addition, the toasted walnuts add a unique texture to the pillowy-soft bagel. As a whole, these toppings give flavors that are reminiscent of an orange creamsicle on a hot summer day. 

3. Peaches and Cream Cheese

Up next, we have peaches, plain cream cheese, honey, and dried thyme on a toasted plain bagel. Peaches and thyme is a classic flavor pairing that is seen commonly in pastries and desserts, but why not up the ante and put it on a bagel? These toppings can instantly elevate and sophisticate your everyday plain bagel with plain cream cheese. 

4. S'mores

If the bagel toppings I listed above don't quite satisfy your sweet tooth yet, this bagel will do the trick. I present to you a plain bagel topped with Nutella, Lucky Charm's marshmallows, and honey graham crackers. Nothing better than s'mores for breakfast, am I right? If you want to go the extra mile, substitute the plain bagel with one that has chocolate chips or cinnamon. "Highly recommend!" said no doctor ever.

5. P-Triple-B

Last but not least, we have the PBBB (Peanut Butter Banana Bagel) - a plain bagel topped with peanut butter and banana slices. If you want to spice it up, I recommend adding honey and granola. The creaminess of the peanut butter along with the soft texture of the banana compliment the nice, crisp texture of a toasted bagel. 

Bottom of the line is, it's fun to experiment with different bagel toppings every once in awhile. Now, there's no "right" way to eat a bagel, but sticking to just plain cream cheese is just a disservice to the bagel community.