Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

Featured in: Seasonal Recipe Joys

This vibrant brunch board features sliced cranberry and plain bagels arranged on a large platter, paired with whipped and cranberry cream cheese spreads drizzled with honey. Smoked salmon and halved hard-boiled eggs add protein, while fresh grapes, cucumber, radishes, and pomegranate arils create a colorful display. Topped with capers, red onions, dill, chopped chives, lemons, and toasted nuts, this spread offers a festive and easy-to-assemble option perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays.

Vegetarian options include substituting smoked salmon with hummus or roasted vegetables, and fruit variations allow for seasonal creativity. This no-cook board comes together in just 25 minutes, making it an effortless centerpiece for celebratory brunches or casual entertaining. Pair with sparkling wine or cider to complete the experience.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:37:00 GMT
Festive cranberry sleigh bagel board, packed with assorted toppings for a delicious brunch spread. Save to Pinterest
Festive cranberry sleigh bagel board, packed with assorted toppings for a delicious brunch spread. | recipesbies.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 always impresses my guests during holiday brunches and is easy to customize for all tastes.

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.
A vibrant close-up of a cranberry sleigh bagel board laden with creamy toppings and fresh fruit. Save to Pinterest
A vibrant close-up of a cranberry sleigh bagel board laden with creamy toppings and fresh fruit. | recipesbies.com

My family loves gathering around this board, especially when we add sparkling mimosas and enjoy the festive flavors together.

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 or 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

Sharing-style cranberry sleigh bagel board offering a colorful variety of brunch essentials, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Sharing-style cranberry sleigh bagel board offering a colorful variety of brunch essentials, ready to enjoy. | recipesbies.com

This recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings and can be easily adapted for different dietary needs.

Answers to Recipe Questions

Can this board be made vegetarian?

Yes, omit the smoked salmon and replace it with hummus or roasted vegetables to suit vegetarian preferences.

What types of bagels work best for this spread?

Mini cranberry bagels paired with plain or sesame mini bagels create a balanced flavor and attractive presentation.

How should the spreads be prepared for serving?

Whipped cream cheese and cranberry cream cheese blended with cranberry sauce are placed in small bowls alongside honey for easy spreading.

What fresh produce adds color and texture to the board?

Red grapes, sliced cucumber, radishes, pomegranate arils, and fresh cranberries offer vibrant colors and fresh textures.

Are there suggestions for pairing beverages with this board?

Pairing with sparkling wine, mimosas, or hot cider complements the festive flavors and enhances the brunch experience.

Can nuts be substituted or omitted?

Toasted pecans or walnuts add crunch but can be omitted or replaced with preferred nuts based on dietary needs or taste.

Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

A vibrant spread featuring cranberry bagels, creamy cheese, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, and nuts for festive gatherings.

Prep duration
25 mins
0
Overall time
25 mins
Published by Sophie Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Serves 6 Serving size

Dietary Details None specified

What you need

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 ½ cup fresh dill sprigs
07 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Extras & Toppings

01 ¼ cup capers
02 ¼ cup sliced red onions
03 ¼ cup chopped chives
04 ¼ cup toasted pecans or walnuts

How to Make It

Step 01

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

Step 02

Prepare Spreads: Serve the whipped cream cheese, cranberry cream cheese, and honey separately in small bowls with spreading knives.

Step 03

Add Proteins and Vegetables: Fan out smoked salmon slices, halved hard-boiled eggs, and cucumber slices evenly around the bagels.

Step 04

Incorporate Fresh Fruit: Cluster red grapes, radish slices, pomegranate arils, and fresh cranberries on the board to provide color and variety.

Step 05

Fill With Garnishes: Use lemon wedges, capers, sliced red onions, dill sprigs, and toasted nuts to fill empty spaces and add texture.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Serve: Present immediately, allowing guests to assemble bagels with their preferred toppings.

Equipment You'll Need

  • 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 all ingredients for allergens, and reach out to a healthcare pro if unsure.
  • 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 labels carefully for additional allergens or cross-contamination

Nutrition info (by portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance. Please consult a medical expert if you need advice.
  • Total Calories: 410
  • Fat content: 15 g
  • Carbohydrate: 54 g
  • Protein content: 17 g