Save to Pinterest 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 brunches because it impresses guests with minimal preparation time.
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.
Save to Pinterest Every holiday season my family gathers around this colorful board making memories and sharing laughs while building their perfect bagels.
Notes
Swap cranberry bagels for regular if unavailable and add other seasonal fruits such as sliced pears or apples. Pair with sparkling wine, mimosas, or hot cider for a festive touch.
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.
Save to Pinterest This board is quick to prepare yet makes a big impression, perfect for holiday entertaining or casual get-togethers.
Common Questions
- → What bagel types work best for this board?
Mini cranberry bagels paired with plain or sesame mini bagels offer visual contrast and balanced flavors ideal for this spread.
- → How can I make this board vegetarian friendly?
Simply omit smoked salmon and substitute with hummus or roasted vegetables for protein and flavor variety.
- → What fresh produce complements the cranberry flavors?
Fresh cranberries, red grapes, cucumber slices, radishes, and pomegranate arils enhance tartness and freshness on the board.
- → What toppings add texture and garnish the board well?
Capers, chopped chives, lemon wedges, dill sprigs, toasted pecans or walnuts add crunch, color, and herbal notes.
- → Are there any recommended beverage pairings?
Sparkling wine, mimosas, or hot cider pair beautifully with the festive flavors and varied textures of this board.