Table of Contents

Snowman Bagel Bombs: A Jolly Winter Treat

The scent of warm, yeasty bread always takes me back to winter mornings spent with my family. I vividly remember the year my little brother, obsessed with building snowmen, refused to eat anything that wasn’t somehow shaped like one. These Snowman Bagel Bombs are inspired by that memory – a delicious, savory snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. The creamy filling, the everything bagel seasoning, and the adorable carrot noses bring a touch of whimsy to the table, perfect for holiday gatherings or simply a cheerful weekend breakfast.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 13-15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 5 snowmen
Yield: 15 bagel bombs
Dietary Type: Not Vegetarian/Vegan

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
Small pastry bag (or Ziploc bag)
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Small saucepan
Ice bath
Paper towels
Paring knife
Skewers

Instructions

Begin by preparing the cream cheese filling. In a mixing bowl, add the 12 ounces of cream cheese (ensuring it’s at room temperature for easy mixing). Transfer about 1 tablespoon of this cream cheese to a small pastry bag or a Ziploc bag (you’ll use this later to attach the carrot noses). Set this aside.
Slice 3 of the scallions thinly. Add these sliced scallions to the bowl with the remaining cream cheese, along with the 3 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning. Stir well to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out 16 balls of the cream cheese mixture, each about 1 tablespoon in size, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 2 hours to allow the cream cheese balls to set and become firm. This step is crucial to prevent the cream cheese from melting out during baking.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line another baking sheet with parchment paper; this will be used for baking the bagel bombs.
While the oven is preheating, prepare the pizza dough. Cut the 1 lb of fresh pizza dough into 16 even pieces. On the prepared baking sheet, stretch and flatten each piece of dough into a small circle.
Remove the frozen cream cheese balls from the freezer. Place one frozen cream cheese ball onto each of the flattened dough pieces. Carefully seal the dough around the cream cheese ball, ensuring that there are no gaps or openings. Roll the sealed dough into a smooth ball.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg with a splash of water to create an egg wash. Brush each dough ball generously with the egg wash. This will give the bagel bombs a golden-brown, glossy finish.
For the “snowman faces,” gently press peppercorns onto 5 of the dough balls to create eyes and smiles. Be sure to press them in firmly so that they don’t fall off during baking.
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. Keep a close watch to prevent burning.
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. Add the remaining 2 scallions to the boiling water for just 10 seconds, then immediately transfer them to the ice bath. This blanching process helps to retain the scallions’ vibrant green color and crispness.
Drain the blanched scallions from the ice bath and pat them dry with a paper towel. Trim them into individual “scarves” – short, thin strips about 2-3 inches long.
Now, prepare the carrot “hats” and “noses.” Cut the carrots into rounds at the thickest end, creating 5 thick rounds. Use a small paring knife to carefully cut top hat shapes out of these carrot rounds.
Cut the remaining carrots into thin rounds at the thinner end, producing 2 thin rounds. Trim these thin rounds into 5 small triangle noses.
Once the bagel bombs have cooled slightly, assemble the snowmen. Add 3 bagel bombs to each skewer, making sure the ball with the peppercorn “face” is at the top. This will create 5 snowmen skewers.
Carefully stick the carrot “hat” into the top of the skewer point so that it sits securely on top of the snowman’s head. Wrap a scallion “scarf” around the neck of each snowman.
Finally, use the reserved cream cheese (from the pastry bag or Ziploc) to attach the carrot “noses” to the faces of the snowmen. The cream cheese acts as a glue, holding the noses in place. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Expert Tips & Tricks

For a richer flavor, use a high-quality cream cheese. Philadelphia cream cheese is always a good choice.
If you don’t have everything bagel seasoning, you can make your own by combining sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic flakes, dried onion flakes, and salt.
Make sure the pizza dough is fresh and pliable for best results. If it’s too stiff, it will be difficult to stretch and seal.
To prevent the bagel bombs from sticking to the baking sheet, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
If the cream cheese balls start to soften while you’re working with the dough, put them back in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up again.
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cream cheese filling.
If you want to make these ahead of time, you can prepare the cream cheese filling and freeze the balls several days in advance. You can also assemble the bagel bombs a few hours ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until ready to bake.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve these adorable Snowman Bagel Bombs warm or at room temperature. They make a delightful appetizer, snack, or even a fun breakfast treat. They are best served fresh, within a few hours of baking, to enjoy their optimal texture.

Leftover bagel bombs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes, or microwave them for a short time until heated through. The cream cheese filling might soften a bit upon reheating. Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture of both the dough and the filling.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	168.7 kcal	N/A
Calories from Fat	137 g	81%
Total Fat	15.3 g	23%
Saturated Fat	8.4 g	42%
Cholesterol	70.1 mg	23%
Sodium	165.8 mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate	5 g	1%
Dietary Fiber	1 g	4%
Sugars	2.9 g	N/A
Protein	3.7 g	7%

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Variations & Substitutions

Vegetarian Option: This recipe is inherently vegetarian.
Vegan Adaptation: To make these vegan, use vegan cream cheese and ensure the pizza dough is vegan-friendly (many store-bought versions are). Substitute the egg wash with a plant-based milk wash (almond, soy, or oat milk).
Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free pizza dough. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Different Fillings: Experiment with different savory fillings like spinach and artichoke dip, or even a jalapeno popper filling.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use a different type of dough?
A: While pizza dough is recommended for its texture, you can experiment with other types of dough like bread dough or even crescent roll dough. Keep in mind that the baking time may need to be adjusted.

Q: Can I prepare the snowmen ahead of time and bake them later?
A: Yes, you can assemble the bagel bombs a few hours in advance and keep them refrigerated until ready to bake. Just be sure to brush them with egg wash right before baking.

Q: What if I don’t have skewers?
A: If you don’t have skewers, you can simply arrange the bagel bombs in a snowman shape on a plate without using skewers.

Q: How do I prevent the cream cheese from melting out during baking?
A: Freezing the cream cheese balls for at least 2 hours before assembling the bagel bombs is crucial. This will help to keep the cream cheese from melting out during baking.

Q: Can I use a different type of cheese for the filling?
A: Yes, you can experiment with different types of cheese, such as goat cheese, ricotta cheese, or even a combination of cheeses.

Final Thoughts

These Snowman Bagel Bombs are more than just a recipe; they’re a delightful project that brings joy to both the baker and the eater. The combination of flavors and the whimsical presentation make them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ingredients, put on some festive music, and get ready to create these adorable winter treats. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings or decorations to make them your own. And if you do, be sure to share your creations and feedback – I’d love to see your unique Snowman Bagel Bomb masterpieces!

Snowman Bagel Bombs Recipe