If there’s one spread having a moment right now, it’s Hot Pickle Cream Cheese—and after trying it ourselves, the hype makes perfect sense. We recently enjoyed this bold, flavor-packed creation at the H&H Bagels Palm Desert location, and it’s one of those combinations that sticks with you long after the last bite.
Hot Pickle Cream Cheese: The Sweet-Heat Bagel Trend You Need to Try
H&H Bagels has long been synonymous with the quintessential New York City bagel. With pop culture appearances on shows like “Sex and the City” and “Seinfeld,” the brand has built a reputation for authenticity and quality. Today, H&H continues to expand beyond New York, with locations across the country—including Palm Desert—bringing its iconic bagels to a wider audience.
So what exactly is Hot Pickle Cream Cheese? According to the employees at H&H Bagels Palm Desert, their version is made by blending cream cheese with Good Girl Snacks’ Honey Harissa Pickles and a touch of harissa paste. The mixture is whipped until smooth, creating a rich, savory spread with just the right kick. It’s then generously layered onto their fresh-made bagels, delivering a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy in every bite.
This limited-time offering highlights Good Girl Snacks’ Honey Harissa Pickles—crafted with tropical blossom honey and bold harissa spice. The result is a layered sweet heat with a subtle tang that elevates the traditional cream cheese into something truly crave-worthy. If you can’t find this brand of pickle (they’re sold online and at places like BevMo and Whole Foods), I recommend any kind of sweet and spicy brand, such as Famous Dave’s Sweet n Spicy Pickle Chips. You can also switch them out for something like Trader Joe’s Hot & Sweet Jalapenos for a similar flavor.
Our favorite way to enjoy it? Slathered thick on a toasted jalapeño cheese bagel. The extra heat from the bagel pairs beautifully with the sweet-spicy pickle cream cheese, creating a flavor combination that’s anything but ordinary.
If you’re feeling inspired to recreate Hot Pickle Cream Cheese at home, here’s a simple version you can try:
Hot Pickle Cream Cheese Recipe
8 oz. cream cheese
2/3 cup chopped sweet & spicy pickles (we recommend Honey Harissa Hot Girl Pickles or Famous Dave’s Sweet n Spicy Pickle Chips)
3 tablespoons pickle brine, or more to taste
1 tablespoons harissa paste or minced Calabrian chiles (or more to taste)
Mix by hand until well combined, adjusting the brine and spice level to your taste. Spread it thick on your favorite toasted bagel—preferably something with a little kick.
Whether you try it at H&H Bagels Palm Desert or whip up your own batch at home, Hot Pickle Cream Cheese is a trend worth tasting. It’s a little unexpected, a lot flavorful, and proof that even a classic like cream cheese can still surprise you.
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Chef Tips with Jason Hill | CookingSessions.com
Hot Pickle Cream Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Mix by hand until well combined, adjusting the brine and spice level to your taste. Spread it thick on your favorite toasted bagel—preferably a jalapeño cheese variety!
