Save 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 a holiday favorite in my family because it gets everyone excited to share and try different combinations.
Ingredients
- Mini cranberry bagels: 6, sliced
- Mini plain or sesame bagels: 6, sliced
- Whipped cream cheese: 200 g (7 oz)
- Cranberry cream cheese: 100 g (3.5 oz) (blend 2 tbsp cranberry sauce with cream cheese)
- Honey: 2 tbsp
- Smoked salmon slices: 150 g (5 oz)
- Hard-boiled eggs: 6, halved
- Fresh cranberries: 1 cup (for garnish)
- Red grapes: 1 cup
- Sliced cucumber: 1 cup
- Radishes: 1 small bunch, thinly sliced
- Pomegranate arils: 1 cup
- Fresh dill sprigs: 1/2 cup
- Lemon: 1, cut into wedges
- Capers: 1/4 cup
- Sliced red onions: 1/4 cup
- Chopped chives: 1/4 cup
- Toasted pecans or walnuts: 1/4 cup
Instructions
- Arrange bagels:
- Arrange the sliced cranberry and plain bagels in a circular or oval pattern on a large serving board or platter.
- Prepare spreads:
- Place the cream cheese, cranberry cream cheese, and honey in small serving bowls with spreading knives.
- Fan protein and produce:
- Neatly fan out the smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and cucumber slices around the bagels.
- Add fruits:
- Add red grapes, radish slices, pomegranate arils, and fresh cranberries in small clusters for color and variety.
- Fill gaps:
- Fill in gaps with lemon wedges, capers, red onions, dill sprigs, and nuts.
- Garnish:
- Sprinkle chopped chives over the cream cheese bowls for freshness.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, allowing guests to assemble their own bagels with desired toppings.
Save This board sparks joyful family gatherings and makes holiday hosting stress-free and fun.
Tips for Customizing Your Board
Feel free to add seasonal fruits like sliced pears or apples to switch up the flavors and colors according to what's fresh.
Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Pair this board with sparkling wine, mimosas, or hot cider for an extra festive touch that delights guests of all ages.
Allergen and Dietary Information
This board contains wheat, milk, fish, eggs, and tree nuts but can be adapted for vegetarians and those with allergies by substituting or omitting ingredients.
Save Enjoy your festive Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board as a colorful centerpiece that brings flavor and fun to your holiday brunches!
Recipe FAQs
- → How to assemble the board for serving?
Arrange bagel slices in a circular or oval pattern on a large platter. Place cream cheese spreads in small bowls and fan out smoked salmon, eggs, and vegetable slices around the bagels. Add fruits and garnishes in clusters for variety and color.
- → Can the smoked salmon be replaced for vegetarian options?
Yes, smoked salmon can be omitted and replaced with hummus or roasted seasonal vegetables for a vegetarian-friendly spread.
- → What are good drink pairings for this board?
Pair this board with sparkling wine, mimosas, or hot cider to complement the festive flavors and provide a refreshing contrast.
- → How long does preparation take?
Preparation takes approximately 25 minutes, with no cooking required. This allows for a quick and easy assembly process.
- → Are there any common allergens to be aware of?
This dish contains wheat from bagels, milk in cream cheeses, fish from smoked salmon, eggs, and tree nuts such as pecans or walnuts. Sesame bagels may also contain sesame seeds.
- → What ingredients add texture to the board?
Crunchy elements come from radishes, toasted pecans or walnuts, crisp cucumber slices, and capers, balancing the creamy and soft components.