How to Make Flavored Cream Cheese
Cream cheese paaaar-tay! Now that’s my kinda party. How to make flavored cream cheese, plus lots of flavor ideas!
It’s no secret I love bagels. But everyone needs a partner in crime, right? For bagels, it’s their cohorts lox and cream cheese. But honestly, what doesn’t go on a bagel?! Some days, the hardest decision I have to make is which schmear to put on my poppy seed bagel. My life is very hard. I know this. So I started brainstorming some possibilities.
How to Make Flavored Cream Cheese
First, let’s start with the schmear. You need to have good quality schmear to make your flavored cream cheese. You can even make your own homemade cream cheese! It’s easier than you think.
Basically, cream cheese is a canvas for awesomeness. You can quote me on that. Some may argue that only classics like dill and chive are acceptable, but I say nay. Go sweet or savory and get creative! Food is made to evolve with our tastes and customs and is meant to be fun. Since summer is upon us, I decided to make berry first. And then I just. Couldn’t. Stop!
This is a recipe for Very Berry Cream Cheese from my favorite bagel spot back when I lived in Austin years ago, Wholy Bagel. NYC worthy bagels in Texas. Now there are more bagel options in Austin, but Wholy Bagel was the first! You can use this flavored cream cheese formula to make other flavors, or scroll down below for some other cream cheese recipes from around the Internets!
Just perfect.
But I didn’t stop there.
Flavored Cream Cheese Flavor Ideas
May I present to you:
Everything Bagel Pickle Cream Cheese
Mix in everything bagel spice, and diced dill pickles.
Funfetti Cream Cheese
Mix in rainbow sprinkles, powdered sugar, and a dash of vanilla or almond extract.
Wasabi Cream Cheese
This is what you think it is! Mix in wasabi. I garnished with black sesame seeds for fanciness.
Lox and Dill Cream Cheese
Mix in diced lox, and fresh dill. Garnish with capers, red onions and a twist of lemon!
Chive Cream Cheese
Classic for a reason! Mix in chives and garnish with lemon zest,
Raspberry Cream Cheese
Mix in raspberry jam or fresh raspberries and a little sugar if you want it sweet.
Ta da!
Here are some other ideas for you. Seriously. Go meshugena!
- Sriracha
- Honey and Chopped Pecans
- Dried Cranberries, Orange Zest and Walnuts
- Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
- Chili Pepper
- Pureed Pumpkin with Pumpkin Spice
- Tahini
- Sun-dried Tomatoes
- Shaved Chocolate or Cocoa Powder and Powdered Sugar
Flavored Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz container of cream cheese at room temperature (not low fat)
- Fresh blueberries (Raspberries, blackberries and strawberries (chop the strawberries into smaller pieces), washed and dried well. Jam works well as an alternative!)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, plus more to taste
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Lay the cream cheese on a cutting board and flatten.
- Add a layer of berries on top with sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- With a flat spatula, fold the cream cheese over the fruit and pat down. Repeat five times until ingredients are incorporated.
- To test, run a finger across the cream cheese. If it’s mixed enough, you won’t see pure white.
- Adjust sugar to taste.
- Refrigerate any leftovers. Best served the day it's made.
- You can use this method for any of the other mix-ins listed on this post!
Notes
Try these other cream cheese ideas! Or else. Jk here are some fun ideas.
Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Cream Cheese
Roasted Red Pepper Parmesan Cream Cheese
Flavored Cream Cheese FAQ
How do you make flavored cream cheese?
Start with softened, good-quality cream cheese and stir in your add-ins until combined. For sweet flavors mix in fruit, jam, sugar, or extracts; for savory, add herbs, spices, or diced mix-ins. Let it chill so the flavors meld before serving.
Should cream cheese be softened before mixing?
Yes. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes so it is soft and spreadable. Softened cream cheese blends smoothly with your flavors instead of staying lumpy.
How long does homemade flavored cream cheese last?
Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, most flavored cream cheeses last about 1 week. Versions with fresh ingredients like lox or fresh berries are best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days.
Can I freeze flavored cream cheese?
It is best fresh, since freezing can turn the texture grainy, especially for whipped or fruit versions. If you do freeze it, thaw it in the fridge and stir well before serving.
What can I mix into cream cheese for flavor?
Almost anything! Popular savory add-ins are everything bagel spice, chives, dill, garlic, lox, and sun-dried tomatoes. For sweet, try berries, honey, cinnamon sugar, sprinkles, or chocolate.
19 Comments
Looks really good, Amy!
Thanks!
I tablespoon or 1/3 cup 5 times
Huh?
Are these the regular plastic containers of cream cheese OR the whipped plastic containers? Thank you in advance.
I used regular cream cheese bricks.
I could SWEAR you once did a post with a rainbow of cream cheeses for a bagels and lox spread. Did I dream it? Wishful thinking maybe? Or maybe it was another blogger? You’re the only Jewish food blogger I follow.
Cheers!
Ha I haven’t done that yet but weirdly it is on my running list of recipe ideas!!
This is Amazing. You are so talented. How can I make flavour cheese from scratch.
The brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese is not on her website. I clicked your link and can’t find it. Do you have the recipe?
Sorry, I do not.
You use the same process, just adding cinnamon and sugar to taste.
Also, why do you keep saying “not low fat”? Does it change the taste, mess up the recipe? I just accidentally bought a whole case of low fat…..eek!
It will work, just not as creamy.
I made this with just blueberries and it started to turn a little brown after a few hours in the fridge. It was tasty though! Any tips on keeping the bright color?
Try a little lemon juice! It’s best made fresh though.
[…] I’m glad you asked! I have a whole post on how to make flavored cream cheese here. […]
How can I made regular cream taste like what you but at store.
You’ll have to add preservatives.