If you’re a bagel aficionado, chances are good you’ve tried your share of schmears — those thick, creamy, flavorful toppers spread across the surfaces of crunchy warm bread rounds.

Whether a bagel is homemade, a “real” bagel that’s been boiled and then baked, made in a bagel specialty shop or a ready-made version from the supermarket bakery, nothing beats biting into a topping (or two) to contrast with the crunchy outside and soft inside of these bread treats.

What exactly is a schmear?

The Yiddish-derived word means “something to spread or smear” and can really refer to anything spreadable, from cheese to peanut butter and everything between. Merriam-Webster defines schmear as “an aggregate of related things,” leaving room for multiple layers of scrumptiousness.

An authentic New York deli, or say Bend’s Rockin’ Daves Bagels, may add a 1/2- to 11/2-inch-thick schmear to your bagel, unless you request a more modest amount, thus reducing the calorie content.

Cream cheese options

While typical schmears begin with cream cheese, there are variations among that traditional base. The cream cheese can be the full-fat variety, reduced fat, fat-free or a whipped version. The latter lightens up the stick-to-your-mouth texture by whipping air into the cream cheese.

Cream cheeses come in myriad flavors of their own, all of which can be the basis for other add-ins.

And what can be added to the schmear’s cream cheese base? Almost anything that’s spreadable with the cheese. Think about chopped tomatoes or cucumber, scallions, edamame, shredded carrots, diced jalapenos, chives, crushed garlic, salsa, snipped herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, sliced olives, salsa or a bit of wasabi or roasted peppers for savory fare. For a sweet dessert bagel, try mashed strawberries, blueberries, cranberries or bananas, chopped mango, shredded apple, chopped nuts, cinnamon, chocolate chips, vanilla, a dollop of marshmallow cream, some graham cracker crumbs or spoonfuls of maple syrup or cocoa powder.

And don’t forget seasonal flavorings such as pumpkin, rum and raisins, and gingerbread.

Caution: calories ahead

A very modest choice of 2 tablespoons of regular cream cheese has 100 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat. Low-fat cream cheeses typically have about 66 calories per 2 tablespoons and 5 grams of fat. Two tablespoons of fat-free cream cheeses contain only 30 calories and 0 grams of fat. Note this is only the cream cheese, not any add-ins or the bagel itself.

Noncream cheese bases

If cream cheese isn’t to your liking as a bagel schmear base, think about other spreadables, such as butter, peanut or other nut butter, Nutella, jelly, hummus, honey, pesto and of course nondairy, vegan and vegetarian spreads.

Planning ahead

If you’re making schmears, it’s best to make them a day ahead so the added flavors have time to blend with the base. Simply stir the additions into the base, cover and chill. About half an hour before serving, take the schmear out of the refrigerator to allow it to soften slightly for easier spreading.

A wide flat knife or tiny spatula is ideal for schmearing, so as not to tear the delicate surface of the scrumptious bread ring. Whether you schmear both sides of a sliced bagel or simply one side and stack the slices is up to you and how much schmear you prefer.

Most schmears will keep covered in the refrigerator for about five days.

— Reporter: gwizdesigns@aol.com