Name: Everything Bagel Veggie Cream Cheese
Ingredients: 16 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup sour cream; 1 cup finely shredded carrots; ½ cup finely diced cucumber, seeds removed and patted dry; ¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper; ¼ cup finely diced celery; 3 green onions, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives; 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley; 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp dried dill; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper; Pinch of kosher salt, optional; ¼ cup finely chopped spinach; 2 tbsp crispy bacon bits; ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 tbsp minced jalapeños

Ingredients

Scale

This recipe combines a creamy base with a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, herbs, and seasoning. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Base

16 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream

Vegetables and Herbs

1 cup finely shredded carrots
½ cup finely diced cucumber, seeds removed and patted dry
¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper
¼ cup finely diced celery
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

Seasoning

2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried dill
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of kosher salt, optional

Optional Mix-Ins

¼ cup finely chopped spinach
2 tbsp crispy bacon bits
¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp minced jalapeños

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Instructions

This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, with no cooking required.

Step 1: Whip the Base

Place the softened cream cheese and sour cream in a large mixing bowl. Beat together until smooth, light, and creamy. Using a hand mixer or standing mixer makes this step quick and easy, though a sturdy spatula and a bit of elbow grease will also do the job. Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened beforehand — cold cream cheese is difficult to whip smoothly and can leave lumps in the final spread.

Step 2: Prep the Vegetables

Pat the shredded carrots and diced cucumber dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is essential: both carrots and cucumbers naturally hold a lot of water, and skipping this step can result in a runny, watery spread instead of a thick, creamy one.

Step 3: Fold in the Vegetables, Herbs, and Seasoning

Add the carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, celery, green onions, chives, parsley, everything bagel seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt (if using) into the whipped cream cheese base.

Step 4: Combine

Gently fold everything together until the vegetables, herbs, and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese base. Folding rather than vigorously stirring helps maintain the texture of the vegetables and prevents overworking the cream cheese.

Step 5: Add Optional Mix-Ins

If you’re using any of the optional mix-ins — chopped spinach, crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, or minced jalapeños — gently fold them in at this stage.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Give the spread a taste and adjust as needed, adding more everything bagel seasoning for extra crunch and flavor, or an additional splash of lemon juice for brightness.

Step 7: Chill

Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together and gives the spread time to firm up to the perfect consistency.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Before serving, sprinkle the top with a bit of extra everything bagel seasoning and fresh chives for a beautiful finishing touch. Serve chilled alongside toasted bagels, crackers, pita chips, pretzels, fresh vegetables, sandwiches, or wraps.