Agriculture + Lifestyle
Fresh Fixins: The Champ Sandwich
Posted on September 8, 2026 8:56 PM
Created by Lauren Bone & Patrick Rademaker
With help from our Certified Farm Markets, level up your breakfast game with these recipes from the owners of Macon Bagels, a favorite breakfast spot that opened in 2021 in downtown Macon. The Champ Sandwich is one of their most popular sandwiches, and they make all their schmears in house. Caramelized Onion Cream Cheese is a universal favorite!
The Champ Sandwich
Ingredients
2 strips thick-cut bacon
1 bagel of your choice, preferably from a local bagel shop
3 tablespoons Caramelized Onion Cream Cheese
½ avocado, mashed
3 slices tomato
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cook bacon to desired crispiness. Slice and toast (or don’t toast) the bagel. Schmear a generous amount of Caramelized Onion Cream Cheese on each half of the bagel. Spread mashed avocado on one side of the bagel, add salt and pepper. On the other half of the bagel, arrange tomato slices and bacon strips. Put the two bagel halves together and enjoy as a sandwich!
Macon Bagels House Hot Sauce
Ingredients
1 pound fresh jalapenos, stemmed and cut in half*
1 large Vidalia onion, peeled and cut into 8 pieces
6 cloves garlic, peeled
4 cups water
4 cups distilled white vinegar
60 grams kosher salt
Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan. The liquid should almost cover the produce in the pan. Allow ingredients to cook over medium heat, until onions have softened slightly (about 20 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. For best results, let this mixture cool in the refrigerator overnight and blend the following day.
Strain the jalapenos, onions and garlic into a blender, reserving the pickling liquid. Add about a half-cup of pickling liquid to the blender and blend. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid you use to blend, depending on the volume of the produce. You will have some pickling liquid left over. You can discard or re-use to make spicy pickles.
Blend this mixture on high for 3 minutes, until you have a smooth hot sauce. Place in the desired container and refrigerate. For best flavor, enjoy within 4-6 weeks.
*Depending on desired spice level, you can keep or remove jalapeno seeds. Removing seeds will make a milder hot sauce.
Caramelized Onion Cream Cheese
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 large Vidalia onion, diced
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onions and cook on medium to low heat, until onions are softened and starting to brown (20-30 minutes). Let cool.
In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, or in a mixing bowl by hand, combine cream cheese and cooked onions until fully incorporated. Refrigerate and enjoy for up to 7 days.