Raise your hand if you love bagels and cream cheese but are pretty sick of all the standard cream cheese varieties! I see you all out there. Sure, you can buy mix-in cream cheese at many stores these days but you won’t find anything out there like this Loaded Cheddar Bacon Cream Cheese!
Over the years, I’ve really expanded my cream cheese spreads to include a bunch that you just will never find in any store. (Unless they read Macheesmo, of course). This Cheddar Bacon Cream Cheese version though, just may be my favorite so far. It’s packed with pretty much all of my big flavor add-ins and is delicious on any savory bagel.
The next time you are grabbing a dozen bagels for work or a casual brunch, skip their pre-packed tubs of cream cheese and make this sucker. It can make a decent bagel excellent and an excellent bagel Whooooaaaa.
- Updated March 2, 2019 to add some new photos and improve directions!
Loaded Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces bacon, crispy
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar, grated
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, minced
- 4 scallions, diced
- Salt and pepper
- Bagels for eating
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crispy either on a skillet over medium-low heat or bake it in a 375 degree F. oven for 15-20 minutes. Once bacon is crispy, let drain and cool on a few paper towels and then chop.
- In a medium bowl, mash together cream cheese, chopped bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions, sun-dried tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Serve cream cheese in big smears on bagels.
- Leftover cream cheese will keep well in the fridge in an air tight container for a week.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Loaded Cheddar Bacon Cream Cheese Spread
Crispy bacon adds huge flavor to this recipe. Basically anytime you see the word “loaded” on macheesmo, you’ll find bacon. That said, I actually think this cream cheese spread would be very delicious and still unique if you left it out. It’s not essential, but if you’re going to do it, do it right. I recommend baking strips (not thick cut) until they are nice and crispy.
Drain those and let them cool on a few paper towels and then stir them together with all the other add-ins. Try to chop/mince everything so it’s roughly the same size. My favorite ingredient is actually the sun-dried tomatoes I think.
Stir this all together with the softened cream cheese. There actually ends up being more add-ins than cream cheese which is the way I like it!
Smear it on thick, people.
If you have some extra cheddar bacon cream cheese, it’ll keep well in the fridge for a week or so. It also goes great on toast believe it or not!
Here are a few other great cream cheese spreads!
- Lucky Green Cream Cheese
- Smoked Trout Breakfast Spread
- Roasted Cherry Cream Cheese Spread
- Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
christina
I knew there was a reason I liked you! :D This looks incredible. Making it Fri for our morning Saturday bagel run
Nick
Ha! Thanks Christina! Hope you like it. :)
Susan
What? I am 100% making this right now. I’m using bacon crumbles from Costco which are surprisingly tasty. Delicious!!
Jeff @ Best Garage Gear
That looks incredible!!!! Would be a great weekend snack.
Sue
Love the idea of making my own cream cheese spread and having a better idea of what actually goes in it. This looks so yummy but I’m leaving out the bacon. I know that’s not everyone’s idea of a good recipe adjustment but what is a vegetarian to do? :)
christina
personally? I’d maybe try a few drops of liquid smoke… That would definitely go a long way towards what bacon brings.
Nick
Interesting idea! Think it would be nice but just don’t add too much!
Michelle
Holy heaven, this looks amazing. Definitely making this for the next work brunch I attend… this is going to blow the usual cream cheese option out of the water!
Doug
Damn that looks amazing. This is the stuff dreams are made of!
Elizabeth Mulgrew
Elevates bagels to the star of breakfast! Just add fresh fruit and hot Earl Grey tea or coffee and you’re good to go as a change from eggs, cereal or pancakes. Serve this for a holiday or special brunch. Made this today. Thanks for the recipe!
Karen
I made this unreal 🤤
Billie Jo
We love this spread. It’s tasty and hearty. We make it all the time. Personally the sun dried tomatoes is what elevates this spread. Thanks for sharing this creation.
Bev
WOW this looks yummy I’m going to have this on a bagel for Saturday morning and then I’m going to have it on a baked potato with a side salad for a weeknight tea looks lush 😋😋