Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

Featured in: Warm Citrus-Inspired Plates

This vibrant holiday board combines sliced cranberry and plain bagels arranged on a large platter alongside whipped and cranberry cream cheeses sweetened with honey. Smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh cucumber slices add satisfying textures, while clusters of red grapes, pomegranate arils, fresh cranberries, and radishes bring bursts of color. Accents like lemon wedges, capers, red onions, dill, nuts, and chives create complex flavors. Perfect for sharing and easy to assemble, this board includes vegetarian options by swapping proteins. Ideal for festive gatherings and effortless entertaining.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:40:00 GMT
Cranberry sleigh bagel board with vibrant colors: cranberry bagels, salmon, and seasonal fruits. Save to Pinterest
Cranberry sleigh bagel board with vibrant colors: cranberry bagels, salmon, and seasonal fruits. | citrushearth.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 delightful bagel board became an instant favorite at my holiday gatherings, impressing guests with its variety and vibrant flavors.

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.
Delicious, festive cranberry bagel board: a brunch spread with creamy cheeses and fresh garnishes. Save to Pinterest
Delicious, festive cranberry bagel board: a brunch spread with creamy cheeses and fresh garnishes. | citrushearth.com

Family and friends gather around this vibrant board, sharing stories and creating joyful holiday memories while enjoying each bite.

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

Holiday cranberry sleigh bagel board, packed with smoked salmon and vibrant, flavorful toppings to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Holiday cranberry sleigh bagel board, packed with smoked salmon and vibrant, flavorful toppings to enjoy. | citrushearth.com

Enjoy this colorful bagel board as a festive centerpiece that brings delicious variety and holiday cheer to your table.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make a vegetarian version of this board?

Yes, simply omit the smoked salmon and add alternatives like hummus or roasted vegetables to maintain flavor and variety.

What can I substitute if cranberry bagels are unavailable?

You can use regular plain or sesame bagels as a versatile substitute without losing the overall appeal of the board.

How should I serve the spreads for easy enjoyment?

Place whipped cream cheese, cranberry cream cheese, and honey in small bowls with spreading knives nearby to let guests customize their bagels.

What garnishes enhance the presentation and taste?

Fresh cranberries, pomegranate arils, lemon wedges, capers, dill sprigs, red onions, chopped chives, and toasted nuts add both color and complex flavor nuances.

How long does preparation take for this brunch board?

Preparation usually takes about 25 minutes, with no cooking required, making it a quick and festive option.

Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

Colorful holiday board featuring cranberry bagels, creamy cheeses, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, and seasonal toppings.

Prep duration
25 minutes
0
Overall time
25 minutes
Created by Elise Porter


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 6 Number of servings

Dietary details Meat-Free

What Goes In

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 sliced cranberry and plain bagels in a circular or oval pattern on a large serving board or platter.

Step 02

Prepare Spreads: Place whipped cream cheese, cranberry cream cheese, and honey in small serving bowls with spreading knives.

Step 03

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

Step 04

Incorporate Fresh Fruits: Place red grapes, radish slices, pomegranate arils, and fresh cranberries in clusters to add color and variety.

Step 05

Fill Gaps with Garnishes: Distribute lemon wedges, capers, sliced red onions, fresh dill sprigs, and toasted nuts in empty spaces on the board.

Step 06

Finish with Chives: Sprinkle chopped chives over the cream cheese bowls to enhance freshness.

Step 07

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

What 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

Double-check ingredients for allergens; talk with your doctor if you’re uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (bagels), milk (cream cheese), fish (smoked salmon), eggs, tree nuts (pecans or walnuts)
  • May contain traces of sesame if sesame bagels are used

Nutrition info (for each serving)

Nutrition data is for reference and isn’t meant as health advice.
  • Calorie count: 410
  • Fat content: 15 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 54 grams
  • Protein amount: 17 grams