Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

Featured in: Cozy Snack Plates

This festive cranberry sleigh board blends tart cranberry bagels with luscious cream cheeses and smoky salmon. Fresh fruits like grapes, pomegranate arils, and crisp radishes add vibrant colors and natural sweetness. Garnished with fresh dill, capers, and toasted nuts, this no-cook brunch board comes together quickly and offers vegetarian options by swapping salmon for roasted vegetables or hummus. Perfect for holiday entertaining, it allows guests to customize each bite with a variety of textures and flavors, all beautifully arranged on a large platter ready to impress.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:32:00 GMT
Vibrant cranberry sleigh bagel board, packed with cranberry bagels, smoked salmon, and fresh fruit for a festive brunch. Pin This
Vibrant cranberry sleigh bagel board, packed with cranberry bagels, smoked salmon, and fresh fruit for a festive brunch. | messli.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 became our holiday go-to because it pleases everyone and looks beautiful on the table.

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 delightful assortment: cranberry bagels, creamy cheeses, and colorful garnishes arranged on a shareable brunch platter. Pin This
A delightful assortment: cranberry bagels, creamy cheeses, and colorful garnishes arranged on a shareable brunch platter. | messli.com

This recipe brings our family together every holiday season with laughter and shared plates.

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

Holiday brunch spread: visually appealing cranberry bagels paired with smoked salmon and fresh toppings, ready to enjoy. Pin This
Holiday brunch spread: visually appealing cranberry bagels paired with smoked salmon and fresh toppings, ready to enjoy. | messli.com

This bagel board is as delightful to make as it is to eat, perfect for any holiday gathering.

Recipe Q&A

Can I make this board vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the smoked salmon and replace it with hummus or roasted vegetables for a delicious vegetarian alternative.

How should I arrange the bagels and toppings?

Arrange sliced cranberry and plain bagels in a circular or oval pattern, then fan out spreads, smoked salmon, fresh produce, and garnishes around them for a colorful display.

What can I substitute if cranberry bagels are unavailable?

You can use regular or sesame bagels as a substitute while maintaining the overall presentation and flavor balance.

Are there any nut-free options?

Yes, simply omit the toasted pecans or walnuts and increase fresh produce or spreads to maintain texture variety.

What drinks pair well with this board?

The board pairs beautifully with sparkling wine, mimosas, or hot cider to complement its festive flavors.

Cranberry Sleigh Bagel Board

A vibrant board with cranberry bagels, creamy spreads, fresh fruit, salmon, and seasonal garnishes ready to serve.

Prep Needed
25 minutes
0
Overall Time
25 minutes
Created by Messli Tessa Marlow


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Portions

Dietary Notes Meat-Free

What You'll 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

Steps

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

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

Step 04

Incorporate Fruits and Garnishes: Distribute red grapes, radish slices, pomegranate arils, and fresh cranberries in small clusters for vibrant color and variety.

Step 05

Fill Gaps with Extras: Place lemon wedges, capers, sliced red onions, dill sprigs, and toasted nuts in remaining spaces to complete the board.

Step 06

Add Chives: Sprinkle chopped chives over the cream cheese bowls to enhance freshness and appearance.

Step 07

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

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Details

Be sure to check each ingredient for allergens and consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.
  • Contains wheat, milk, fish, eggs, and tree nuts.
  • May contain traces of sesame if sesame bagels are used.
  • Check ingredient labels for additional allergens or cross-contamination.

Nutrition Breakdown (per portion)

For general guidelines only. Not meant to provide medical or dietary diagnosis.
  • Caloric Value: 410
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Proteins: 17 g