Snowman Bagel Bombs Recipe - That's Nerdalicious

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Snowman Bagel Bombs: A Winter Breakfast Delight

I’ll always remember the year my little niece, Lily, declared that snowmen were her favorite food. Of course, she didn’t mean eating snow, but rather the iconic winter figures. It sparked an idea, a challenge to create something that captured the joy and whimsy of a snowman in edible form. These Snowman Bagel Bombs were the result – a fun, savory treat that brought a sparkle to Lily’s eyes and has become a beloved tradition in our family ever since. The combination of warm, doughy bagel, creamy filling, and adorable snowman features is simply irresistible.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 13-15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (includes freezing time)
Servings: 5 snowmen
Yield: 15 bagel bombs
Dietary Type: Vegetarian

Ingredients

12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
5 scallions
1 lb fresh pizza dough
1 egg, beaten
Peppercorns, for decoration
3 large carrots, peeled

Equipment Needed

Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Mixing bowl
Small pastry bag
Pot
Ice bath
Paper towel
Small paring knife
Skewers

Instructions

First, prepare the cream cheese filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the 12 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese with 3 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning.
Finely slice 3 of the scallions. Add the sliced scallions to the cream cheese mixture and stir until well combined.
Now, prepare the cream cheese balls. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture to a small pastry bag. Set aside in the refrigerator; this will be used later to attach the carrot noses.
Scoop out 16 balls of the remaining cream cheese mixture, each about 1 tablespoon in size. Arrange these balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Freeze the cream cheese balls for 2 hours, or until they are firm and set. This step is crucial for easy handling later on.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line another baking sheet with fresh parchment paper.
Prepare the bagel dough. Cut the 1 lb of fresh pizza dough into 16 even pieces.
On the prepared baking sheet, stretch and flatten each piece of pizza dough into a small circle.
Remove the frozen cream cheese balls from the freezer. Place one frozen cream cheese ball onto the center of each dough circle.
Carefully seal the dough around the cream cheese ball, pinching the edges together to completely enclose the filling. Roll the dough to form a smooth ball.
In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 egg with a splash of water to create an egg wash. Brush each dough ball generously with the egg wash. This will give them a golden-brown color in the oven.
For the snowman faces, gently press peppercorns into the surface of 5 of the dough balls to create eyes and smiles.
Bake the bagel bombs in the preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 13-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
While the bagel bombs are baking, prepare the scallion scarves. Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Prepare an ice bath in a separate bowl.
Slice the remaining 2 scallions. Add them to the boiling water for just 10 seconds, then immediately transfer them to the ice bath. This blanching process will help them retain their vibrant green color.
Drain the blanched scallions and pat them dry on a paper towel. Trim the scallions into individual “scarves.”
Prepare the carrot hats. Cut the carrots into rounds at the thickest end, ensuring you have 5 thick rounds.
Using a small paring knife, carefully cut top hat shapes out of the thick carrot rounds.
Next, cut the remaining carrots into rounds at the thinner end, aiming for 2 thin rounds per snowman (total of 10 thin rounds).
Trim those thin carrot rounds into small triangle shapes to create the carrot noses.
Once the bagel bombs are baked and slightly cooled, it’s time to assemble the snowmen. Place 3 bagel bombs onto each skewer, making sure the bagel bomb with the peppercorn face is at the top. This will create 5 snowmen skewers.
Carefully stick a carrot hat onto the top of each skewer, securing it into the skewer point.
Wrap a scallion scarf around the “neck” of each snowman.
Finally, use the reserved cream cheese (from the pastry bag) to attach the carrot noses to the faces.

Expert Tips & Tricks

To ensure the cream cheese balls freeze properly, make sure they are well-separated on the baking sheet before freezing.
If the pizza dough is too sticky to work with, lightly flour your work surface.
Don’t overbake the bagel bombs; they should be golden brown but still soft on the inside.
If you don’t have everything bagel seasoning, you can create your own blend using sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt.
For a slightly sweeter snowman, consider using a plain cream cheese and adding a touch of honey or maple syrup to the filling.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve the Snowman Bagel Bombs warm or at room temperature. They are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them gently in the oven or microwave. The texture may change slightly upon reheating, so fresh is always best!

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	337 kcal	17%
Total Fat	18g	28%
Saturated Fat	10g	50%
Cholesterol	75mg	25%
Sodium	200mg	8%
Carbohydrates	30g	10%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	4g	8%
Protein	8g	16%

Variations & Substitutions

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pizza dough. Be sure to check the ingredients of your everything bagel seasoning to ensure it is also gluten-free.
Dairy-Free: Substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. Look for brands made from cashews or almonds.
Spicy Snowmen: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cream cheese filling for a spicy kick.
Herbaceous Snowmen: Incorporate fresh herbs like chives, dill, or parsley into the cream cheese filling.
Savory Snowmen: Add cooked and crumbled bacon or sausage to the cream cheese filling for a meatier flavor.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I make the cream cheese filling ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the cream cheese filling up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

Q: Can I use pre-made bagel dough instead of pizza dough?
A: While pizza dough is recommended for its flexibility, you can experiment with bagel dough. Keep in mind that it may be denser and require a longer baking time.

Q: How do I prevent the cream cheese from leaking out during baking?
A: Ensure that the dough is completely sealed around the cream cheese ball. Freezing the cream cheese helps prevent melting too quickly.

Q: Can I bake these ahead of time and freeze them?
A: Yes, you can bake the bagel bombs, let them cool completely, and then freeze them. Reheat them in the oven when ready to serve.

Q: What if I don’t have skewers?
A: You can serve the bagel bombs individually on a plate without skewering them.

Final Thoughts

I hope these Snowman Bagel Bombs bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to mine. Whether you’re making them for a festive brunch, a winter-themed party, or simply a fun weekend treat, these adorable snowmen are sure to be a hit. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the decorations and make them your own. I’d love to hear your feedback and see your own snowman creations! Perhaps serve them with a warm cup of hot cocoa for the perfect winter pairing. Happy baking!