Pin it 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 has become my go-to for holiday gatherings because it impresses guests with minimal effort.
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.
Pin it This recipe always brings the family together around the table to share stories and enjoy the festive spread.
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 per serving. Total fat: 15 g. Carbohydrates: 54 g. Protein: 17 g.
Pin it This cranberry sleigh bagel board is sure to brighten any holiday brunch with its vibrant colors and flavors.
Common Questions
- → Can I make this board vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, simply omit the smoked salmon and substitute with hummus or roasted vegetables for a delicious vegetarian option.
- → What can I use if cranberry bagels aren’t available?
You can swap cranberry bagels for regular, plain, or sesame bagels to maintain a similar texture and flavor balance.
- → How should I arrange the ingredients for the best presentation?
Arrange sliced bagels in a circular or oval pattern on a large board, then fan out spreads, smoked salmon, and sliced vegetables around them, adding clusters of fresh fruit and garnishes for color.
- → What nuts are recommended for topping?
Toasted pecans or walnuts add a crunchy texture and complement the creamy and savory elements nicely.
- → How long does the board stay fresh once assembled?
It’s best served immediately, but keeping spreads refrigerated and assembling just before serving helps maintain freshness for up to a couple of hours.