Serves 6

12 homemade or frozen toaster waffles

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 drop lemon extract

16 ounces pure maple syrup

3 cups blueberries or sliced strawberries

8 graham crackers, crushed into crumbs to sprinkle on top

• Make a simple syrup by bringing ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar to a boil. Stir constantly to dissolve sugar.

• Remove from heat.

• Measure syrup to make ½ cup and pour it into a mixing bowl.

• To the hot syrup, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon extract.

• Mix with electric mixer until smooth. Set aside.

• Prepare waffles and keep them warm.

• Heat about 1 1/2 to 2 cups pure maple syrup, but do not boil. Remove from heat.

• For each serving, place one waffle on the plate. Spoon on cream cheese mixture and top with a layer of fresh berries.

• Place another waffle on top. Pour hot maple syrup over it.

• Top with more berries and a tablespoon of graham cracker crumbs.

• Serve right away.

- The Corner Office Restaurant, Curtis Hotel

Nutritional information per serving, including syrup: 872 cal., 27 g fat (12 g sat.), 65 mg chol., 1302 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 14 g pro.