Ingredients
— The Bread & Fruit —
1 loaf soft white, brioche, or milk bread (about 12 slices)
1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
Fresh mint leaves or whole strawberries (for garnish)
— Sweetened Cream Cheese Spread —
8 oz (1 block) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 tablespoons honey (or powdered sugar)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon fresh mint or basil, very finely chopped (optional, but recommended)
Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
1. **Prep the Spread:** In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, honey (or powdered sugar), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth, light, and fluffy. Gently fold in the finely chopped fresh mint or basil.
2. **Prepare the Strawberries:** Wash, hull, and thinly slice the strawberries. *Pro Tip: Lay the slices flat on a paper towel and gently pat the tops completely dry to remove excess moisture. This is crucial to prevent soggy bread!*
3. **Assemble the Sandwiches:** Lay out your slices of bread. Spread a generous, even layer of the cream cheese mixture onto one side of *every* slice of bread. (Coating both the top and bottom slices creates a waterproof barrier against the strawberry juice).
4. **Layer the Fruit:** Arrange the dry, sliced strawberries in a slightly overlapping layer on half of the bread slices. Carefully place the remaining bread slices on top, cream cheese side down, and press gently.
5. **Trim and Cut:** Using a very sharp serrated knife, carefully slice the crusts off all four sides of each sandwich. Cut the remaining crustless sandwiches into elegant tea party shapes: either diagonally twice to make four small triangles, or straight across into three rectangular ‘fingers’.
6. **Serve:** Arrange the delicate strawberry sandwiches beautifully on a tiered cake stand or serving platter. Garnish the tray with extra fresh mint and whole strawberries, and serve immediately.
Notes
Preventing Soggy Bread: Do not skip patting the strawberries dry! The cream cheese layer on both pieces of bread also acts as a vital seal to keep the juices from soaking into the crumb.
Make Ahead Instructions: You can prepare the sweetened cream cheese spread up to 3 days in advance. However, you should assemble the sandwiches no more than 1-2 hours before serving. To keep the bread soft while waiting for guests, cover the assembled tray with a very slightly damp paper towel, then wrap loosely in plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
Flavor Variations: For a more sophisticated savory-sweet twist, try adding a very light drizzle of thick balsamic glaze over the strawberries before closing the sandwich.
Bread Choices: A slightly sweet bread like brioche or Hawaiian bread pairs wonderfully with the fruit, but classic soft white sandwich bread is the most traditional.
- Prep Time: 20
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: British / American
- Diet: Vegetarian