Toasted Strawberry Cream-Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, cleaned, hulled and sliced
• 3/4 cup pink sparkling wine

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup finely chopped white chocolate
• 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 8 slices cinnamon raisin bread
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Directions

1. 1

   Place the strawberries in a bowl with the sparkling wine and let marinate at least 20 minutes. Drain the strawberries, reserving the sparkling wine. Set aside 1/2 cup of strawberries for a garnish.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, white chocolate, orange zest, and orange juice in a separate bowl; stir and blend until smooth.

3. 3

   Spread 4 slices of raisin bread with the cream cheese mixture. Arrange the drained strawberries over the cream cheese. Top with remaining 4 slices of raisin bread to make a sandwich.

4. 4

   Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet; cook until lightly toasted on each side, about 2 minutes per side.

5. 5

   Place the toasted sandwiches on serving plates, and cut in half. Drizzle evenly with maple syrup, and garnish with remaining strawberries. Serve with the reserved sparkling wine.