Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

Featured in: Seasonal Treats

This festive bagel board combines the tartness of cranberry bagels with creamy cheeses and smoky salmon, complemented by fresh fruit and seasonal garnishes. Easy to assemble in under 30 minutes, it offers a colorful and inviting spread ideal for holiday entertaining. Variations allow vegetarian options by substituting proteins with hummus or roasted vegetables. Pair with sparkling wine or cider for a complete festive brunch experience.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:09:00 GMT
A beautifully arranged Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board, filled with colorful fruits and creamy spreads, ready to serve. Save
A beautifully arranged Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board, filled with colorful fruits and creamy spreads, ready to serve. | crumbnest.com

A festive and colorful brunch board featuring cranberry bagels, creamy spreads, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, and seasonal garnishes – perfect for entertaining during the holidays.

This board is always a hit at our family gatherings, bringing everyone together to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

  • Bagels & Breads: 6 mini cranberry bagels, sliced, 6 mini plain or sesame bagels, sliced
  • Creamy Spreads: 200 g (7 oz) whipped cream cheese, 100 g (3.5 oz) cranberry cream cheese (blend 2 tbsp cranberry sauce with cream cheese), 2 tbsp honey
  • Proteins: 150 g (5 oz) smoked salmon slices, 6 hard-boiled eggs, halved
  • Fresh Produce: 1 cup fresh cranberries (for garnish), 1 cup red grapes, 1 cup sliced cucumber, 1 small bunch radishes, thinly sliced, 1 cup pomegranate arils, 1/2 cup fresh dill sprigs, 1 lemon, cut into wedges
  • Extras & Toppings: 1/4 cup capers, 1/4 cup sliced red onions, 1/4 cup chopped chives, 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts

Instructions

Step 1:
Arrange the sliced cranberry and plain bagels in a circular or oval pattern on a large serving board or platter.
Step 2:
Place the cream cheese, cranberry cream cheese, and honey in small serving bowls with spreading knives.
Step 3:
Neatly fan out the smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and cucumber slices around the bagels.
Step 4:
Add red grapes, radish slices, pomegranate arils, and fresh cranberries in small clusters for color and variety.
Step 5:
Fill in gaps with lemon wedges, capers, red onions, dill sprigs, and nuts.
Step 6:
Sprinkle chopped chives over the cream cheese bowls for freshness.
Step 7:
Serve immediately, allowing guests to assemble their own bagels with desired toppings.
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Every holiday season, we come together as a family to enjoy this colorful and festive board that brightens our celebrations.

Required Tools

Large serving board or platter, small bowls for spreads and toppings, spreading knives or spoons, sharp knife (for slicing vegetables and bagels)

Allergen Information

Contains: Wheat (bagels), Milk (cream cheese), Fish (smoked salmon), Eggs, Tree nuts (pecans/walnuts). May contain traces of sesame (if using sesame bagels). Always check ingredient labels for additional allergens or cross-contamination.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 410, Total Fat: 15 g, Carbohydrates: 54 g, Protein: 17 g per serving.

Festive Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board with vibrant red cranberries, smoked salmon, and fresh dill, perfect for brunch. Save
Festive Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board with vibrant red cranberries, smoked salmon, and fresh dill, perfect for brunch. | crumbnest.com

Enjoy assembling and sharing this vibrant board with loved ones for a memorable holiday brunch.

Recipe FAQ

How do I assemble the bagel board?

Arrange sliced cranberry and plain bagels on a large board. Add bowls of cream cheese spreads, then fan out smoked salmon, eggs, and cucumber. Fill gaps with fruits, herbs, and nuts for color and texture.

Can I make this board vegetarian?

Yes, omit smoked salmon and replace it with hummus or roasted vegetables to keep it vegetarian-friendly while maintaining variety in flavors.

What are tasty spread options for this board?

Use whipped cream cheese, cranberry cream cheese made by blending sauce with cheese, and a drizzle of honey for balanced sweetness and creaminess.

What garnishes enhance the bagel board's flavor?

Fresh cranberries, red grapes, pomegranate arils, lemon wedges, capers, fresh dill, and chopped chives add brightness and complexity.

How long does it take to prepare this brunch board?

Preparation typically takes about 25 minutes with no cooking required, making it quick and easy for entertaining.

What are good beverage pairings for this spread?

Sparking wines, mimosas, or hot cider complement the fresh, tangy, and smoky flavors beautifully during festive occasions.

Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

A vibrant brunch arrangement featuring cranberry bagels, creamy spreads, smoked salmon, and fresh seasonal garnishes.

Prep duration
25 min
0
Complete duration
25 min
Created by Chloe Martin


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary considerations None specified

Components

Bagels & Breads

01 6 mini cranberry bagels, sliced
02 6 mini plain or sesame bagels, sliced

Creamy Spreads

01 7 oz whipped cream cheese
02 3.5 oz cranberry cream cheese (blend 2 tbsp cranberry sauce with cream cheese)
03 2 tbsp honey

Proteins

01 5 oz smoked salmon slices
02 6 hard-boiled eggs, halved

Fresh Produce

01 1 cup fresh cranberries (for garnish)
02 1 cup red grapes
03 1 cup sliced cucumber
04 1 small bunch radishes, thinly sliced
05 1 cup pomegranate arils
06 1/2 cup fresh dill sprigs
07 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Extras & Toppings

01 1/4 cup capers
02 1/4 cup sliced red onions
03 1/4 cup chopped chives
04 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts

Directions

Phase 01

Arrange Bagels: Place the sliced cranberry and plain bagels in a circular or oval pattern on a large serving board or platter.

Phase 02

Prepare Spreads: Transfer cream cheese, cranberry cream cheese, and honey into small serving bowls, providing spreading knives.

Phase 03

Add Proteins and Vegetables: Fan out smoked salmon, hard-boiled egg halves, and cucumber slices around the arranged bagels.

Phase 04

Incorporate Fresh Fruits: Cluster red grapes, radish slices, pomegranate arils, and fresh cranberries around the board for vibrant color and texture.

Phase 05

Fill with Garnishes: Fill remaining spaces with lemon wedges, capers, sliced red onions, dill sprigs, and toasted nuts.

Phase 06

Add Final Touch: Sprinkle chopped chives over the cream cheese bowls to enhance freshness and presentation.

Phase 07

Serve: Present immediately so guests can assemble bagels with their preferred toppings.

Tools needed

  • Large serving board or platter
  • Small bowls for spreads and toppings
  • Spreading knives or spoons
  • Sharp knife for slicing vegetables and bagels

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek medical guidance if you're uncertain about ingredients.
  • Contains wheat (bagels), milk (cream cheese), fish (smoked salmon), eggs, and tree nuts (pecans or walnuts).
  • May contain traces of sesame if sesame bagels are used.
  • Check ingredient labels for additional allergens or cross-contamination.

Nutritional information (each portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 410
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Proteins: 17 g