Cream Cheese Stuffed Garlic Bagel

Cream cheese stuffed garlic bagels unite the heartiness of traditional bagels with decadent garlic butter and tangy cream cheese filling. These indulgent treats deliver a perfect balance of creamy interior and crispy exterior with every mouthwatering bite, creating an irresistible snack or meal centerpiece.

I discovered this recipe during pandemic lockdowns when international travel felt impossibly distant. Attempting to recreate Calic Bagels at home transported my family to the bustling streets of Korea without leaving our kitchen. My husband actually requested these three weekends consecutively, claiming they surpassed any restaurant version he had tried previously.

Luscious Filling Components

• Cream cheese: Forms the foundation of this filling, providing tangy richness and velvety texture. Select full-fat varieties for optimal mouthfeel and allow it to soften completely at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to ensure perfectly smooth incorporation.
• Granulated sugar: Balances the tanginess of cream cheese with subtle sweetness. The small amount creates complexity rather than overwhelming sweetness, complementing the savory exterior beautifully.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Contributes additional creaminess while adding caramel undertones. This ingredient creates that distinctive Korean cheese filling flavor profile that makes these bagels utterly addictive.
• Salt: Enhances every other flavor component, preventing the filling from tasting flat or one-dimensional. Even this small amount dramatically improves the overall taste experience by heightening both sweet and savory notes.

Aromatic Butter Creation

• Unsalted butter: Provides rich foundation for the exterior coating. Quality butter with high butterfat content delivers superior flavor and beautiful browning during baking.
• Fresh garlic: Infuses the butter with intense aromatic qualities impossible to achieve with powdered alternatives. Mince finely for even distribution throughout the mixture without overwhelming chunks.
• Chopped parsley: Adds vibrant color contrast and subtle herbaceous notes. Fresh parsley significantly outperforms dried versions in both appearance and flavor profile.
• Whole milk: Creates perfect consistency for coating bagels evenly. The proteins help emulsify the mixture while providing additional richness to the finished product.
• Mayonnaise: Contributes remarkable richness and helps stabilize the garlic butter mixture. The emulsifiers in mayo prevent separation during baking.
• Dried oregano: Introduces Mediterranean flavor notes that complement the garlic beautifully. The subtle piney quality cuts through richness and adds aromatic complexity.
• Parmesan cheese: Introduces savory umami elements that enhance garlic flavors while contributing to golden browning during baking. Choose freshly grated varieties for superior melting properties.
• Fresh egg: Binds all elements together while promoting beautiful browning and glossy appearance. The proteins help create that distinctive golden crust characteristic of these bagels.
• Salt: Amplifies every flavor component while balancing sweetness from the filling. Kosher or sea salt varieties provide better flavor distribution than standard table salt.

Bagel Transformation Process

Precise Cutting Technique:

Position each bagel flat on your cutting board and make six evenly spaced cuts across the top surface. Stop cutting approximately quarter-inch from bottom to ensure bagel remains connected. This creates accordion-like structure that maximizes cream cheese filling capacity while maintaining structural integrity.

Filling Application:

Transfer cream cheese mixture to piping bag fitted with medium round tip or use sandwich bag with corner snipped off. Insert tip deeply into each cut section and apply gentle pressure while slowly withdrawing tip to ensure even filling distribution. Continue until all sections contain generous filling amount.

Butter Immersion:

Prepare garlic butter mixture immediately before using to prevent solidification. Dip each filled bagel completely into mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. The butter should penetrate cut sections while coating entire exterior surface for maximum flavor impact.

Baking Strategy:

Arrange coated bagels on parchment-lined baking sheet with at least two inches between each. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 11-13 minutes until deeply golden but not burnt. The filling should be hot throughout with exterior achieving perfect crispness.

Finishing Touches:

Immediately upon removing from oven, sprinkle additional chopped parsley and freshly grated parmesan over hot bagels. The residual heat melts cheese slightly while herbs release aromatic compounds for enhanced sensory experience.

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My family particularly enjoys these bagels for weekend brunch gatherings. My daughter, typically hesitant about strong garlic flavors, specifically requests extra garlic in this recipe. The transformation between ordinary bagels and these stuffed creations consistently impresses guests who inevitably request the recipe.

Serving Suggestions

These stuffed bagels reach their peak potential served warm from the oven while the contrast between crispy exterior and molten filling creates textural magic. Consider timing preparation so they emerge from the oven just as guests arrive for maximum impact.

Creative Adaptations

Experiment with bagel varieties beyond plain for endless flavor combinations. Everything bagels introduce additional seed and spice elements while cinnamon raisin creates fascinating sweet-savory contrast with garlic butter.

Perfect Storage

Store completely cooled bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The high butter content helps maintain moisture while preventing premature staleness common with traditional bagels.

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These cream cheese stuffed garlic bagels represent culinary fusion at its finest. They transform humble ingredients through thoughtful technique into something truly extraordinary. When I serve these at gatherings, conversation inevitably pauses momentarily as everyone experiences that first perfect bite combining crispy garlic exterior with creamy filling. These bagels consistently create food memories that linger long after the last crumb disappears.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use flavored bagels?

Yes, any bagel variety works well, though plain, everything, or garlic bagels complement the flavors best.

→ What if I don't have Kewpie mayo?

Regular mayonnaise works fine, though Kewpie adds a richer, tangier flavor. You can also omit it entirely.

→ Can I prepare these ahead of time?

You can prepare them up to the point of baking and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5-10 minutes.

→ Can I freeze these bagels?

Yes, freeze them after baking and cooling. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.