The Einstein/Noah Bagel Corporation sold around 300 million bagels in 1997--around 6 million bagels a week. And on top of those bagels, customers will smear (or Shmear) more than 8 million pounds of the flavored cream cheeses created by the company. That's 11 tons of the stuff each day! The bagels themselves are reasonably low in fat--coming in at 1 to 3 grams each. But when you add just an ounce of cream cheese Shmear, you're quadrupling the fat, at the very least.

With fat-free cream cheese and a variety of different flavorings and ingredients, we can easily recreate Einstein Bros. Shmear, while reducing the fat to zero. These spreads are very easy to make, and if you would like yours fo firm up more after mixing in the ingredients, just pop the finished spread (in a microwavesafe bowl) for a minute of two, stir, cover, and chill completely. Use these spreads with bagels of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Garlic
Serving size--2 tablespoons
Total servings--about 8
Calories per serving--35 / Original--100
Fat per serving--0 g / Original--9 g

Strawberry
Serving size--2 tablespoons
Total servings--about 8
Calories per serving--35 / Original--100
Fat per serving--o g / Original--8 g

Jalapeno Salsa
Serving size--2 tablespoons
Total serving about--10
Calories per serving--30 / Original--90
Fat per serving--0 g /Original--8 g

Maple Walnut Raisin
Serving size--2 tablespoons
Total servings--about
Calories per serving--48 / Original--100
Fat per serving--0 g / Original--9 g