Astoundingly good for minimal effort, this makes an indulgent weekend breakfast or anyday dessert. A judicious smear of mascarpone (half the fat of butter) is part of the luxury, but even lighter low-fat cream cheese will work as well. The real secret is warming the berries just enough to make the flavor bloom and transform their juices into a rosy syrup.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

4 thick slices whole-wheat bread
6 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 cups sliced or diced hulled strawberries
4 tablespoons mascarpone (Italian cream cheese)

1. Toast bread in a toaster.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over high heat. Add sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice and cook, stirring, until the sugar melts and the mixture begins to bubble, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add strawberries and stir until juices begin to exude and the berries are heated through, 30 seconds to 1 minute more.
3. Spread 1 tablespoon mascarpone on each piece of toast. Top with the warm berries.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 203 calories; 5 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 9 mg cholesterol; 40 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 4 g fiber; 153 mg sodium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (108% daily value), Selenium (16% dv).

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare the sauce (Step 2), cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, microwave on High for about 1 minute (defrost first, if necessary).

RELATED RECIPES: Strawberry-Rhubarb Filling | Whole-Wheat Crepes | Buttermilk Cake with Strawberries | Linzer Cake | Lemon Verbena Cheesecake

This recipe was such a hit when I made it. I've done it about 4 times now, and every time I serve it, people rave and rave like I slaved in the kitchen for hours--but I didn't! It's quite easy. Sometimes I use an entire whole wheat baguette from the store--then double the recipe--and it's enough to feed an entire crowd with minimal effort.

, Charlottesville, VA

This was absolutely FABULOUS! Eating it while it was still warm just made it better. I will be making this for my in-laws this weekend.

Summer L., Beaumont, TX

This was good, but you just can't eat one. This is NOT healthy for anyone. It's fattening, and the cheese has cholesterol. Using all that bread this has high carbs. I don't think this is anymore healthy then eating a Bagel & Cream cheese, and we now know how unhealthy that is! Plus all the sugar!!! Yes strawberries are very Healthy, but this whole recipe ruins it for the Strawberries. If this was not from a healthy magazine, then there would not be anything to Talk about, BUT!

Great Cook, Santa Monica, CA

While this is a great recipe, those of us on Weight Watchers would have to sacrifice 4 points for this little treat. It can be made even more calorie friendly by exchanging the marscapone w/ neufchatel or ff cream cheese and changing the sugar mixture to 2 T brown sugar and 4 T Splenda (gives the brown sugar taste w/out the calories) or even maple syrup (same idea). And try sprinkling a few julienne strips of fresh basil in the sauce or over the top -- really adds some punch -- YUM.

Terri A., Charlotte, NC

I've been doing this for years as a quick summer breakfast but without the syrup. If you're concerned about the extra calories added from the sugar just skip the syrup step. If you are using good ripe sweet fruit the extra sugar isn't necessary. If you need a little extra sweetness try a drizzle of honey over the top, a little honey goes a long way. However, by making it this way you don't get the warm oozy-ness you would from the warm syrup/berry mixture but it's still very tasty and much better for you. And if you're concerned about using a lot of mascarpone try using an electric mixer and whipping it up for a minute or two before spreading it on the toast (you can do this with any type of cream cheese you choose). The air the mixer adds into the cheese makes it lighter and you will use less. Try adding a bit of vanilla extract to it as well. Yummmm!

Jen, San Francisco, CA

Well Yum about says it all! I'm on WW & I found it well worth the 4 points. I think for 2 pieces of bread, you could do with 1/3 of the recipe (iow: 1 cup strawberries, 2 T brown sugar, lemon juice & zest). I think it is a great light option to waffles or pancakes & it tastes like you're cheating!

Shari

I love receiving your Eating Well emails. I have tried printing out your recipes, but can't seem to be able to print out the recipe along with the picture. Is there a way to print the full page recipe with the picture? I'd like to put them in a binder. Thanks very much! My email is: wasikowski.1@nd.edu

Marlene Wasikowski, Granger, IN