Fruit Pizza Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, colorful, and refreshing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, look no further than Fruit Pizza! This dessert is as delicious as it is beautiful, with a soft sugar cookie crust, a creamy and tangy cream cheese layer, and a vibrant assortment of fresh fruits arranged on top. Whether for a summer barbecue, birthday party, or just a fun family treat, fruit pizza is easy to customize and sure to impress.

Let’s dive into this simple, yet stunning fruit pizza recipe that’s perfect for any fruit lover!

What is Fruit Pizza?

Fruit pizza is a dessert made with a soft sugar cookie crust as the "pizza base," topped with a layer of sweetened cream cheese, and adorned with colorful fresh fruits. You can get creative with how you arrange the fruit, making designs or even personalizing it with your favorite fruits. It's an easy-to-make dessert that is as visually impressive as it is delicious.

Ingredients List for Fruit Pizza

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious fruit pizza, broken down into three components: the cookie crust, cream cheese frosting, and fresh fruit toppings.

For the Sugar Cookie Crust:

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened): For a rich, buttery cookie crust.
• ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust.
• 1 large egg (room temperature): Adds structure to the dough.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For flavor.
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the cookie crust.
• ½ teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookie crust rise slightly.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.

For the Cream Cheese Topping:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened): The creamy, tangy base for the fruit pizza.
• ¼ cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds flavor to the cream cheese topping.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional): Adds a slight tang and brightness to the topping.

For the Fresh Fruit Toppings:

• 1 cup strawberries (sliced)
• 1 cup kiwi (peeled and sliced)
• 1 cup blueberries
• ½ cup raspberries
• ½ cup pineapple (cubed)
• ¼ cup mandarin orange segments
• 1-2 tablespoons apricot or peach preserves (optional): To brush over the fruit for a glossy finish.

Note: You can mix and match fruits depending on what’s in season or based on personal preference!

Substitutions and Variations

Here are some ways you can adapt this recipe based on your dietary needs or preferences:

• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour for the cookie crust.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and a plant-based butter substitute for the crust and topping.
• Healthier Option: You can make a whole-wheat or almond flour crust, or use a lower-sugar cream cheese topping by reducing the powdered sugar or using a natural sweetener.
• Different Fruits: You can use other fruits like blackberries, mango, grapes, or peaches—whatever is fresh and available.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide to making the perfect fruit pizza from scratch.

1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Crust:

• Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
• Add the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
• Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
• Press into the pan: Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan or a round baking sheet. Press the cookie dough into an even layer, forming a smooth circle that covers the bottom of the pan.
• Bake: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Be careful not to overbake. Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool completely.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Topping:

• Beat the cream cheese: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
• Add powdered sugar and vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until well combined. For extra tang, you can add the lemon juice at this stage.
• Chill: Place the cream cheese topping in the fridge while the cookie crust cools.

3. Assemble the Fruit Pizza:

• Spread the cream cheese topping: Once the sugar cookie crust is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top, leaving a small border around the edge to resemble a pizza crust.
• Arrange the fruit: Now comes the fun part—arranging the fresh fruit! You can place the fruit in concentric circles or create any design you like. For example:
  • Start with a ring of sliced strawberries around the outer edge.
  • Add a layer of kiwi slices inside the strawberry ring.
  • Fill the center with blueberries, raspberries, pineapple chunks, and mandarin orange segments.
  • Get creative with your fruit arrangement to make a visually stunning dessert!

4. Optional Glaze:

• Prepare the glaze: If you want a glossy finish, warm the apricot or peach preserves in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds until it’s runny.
• Brush the glaze: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the fruit with the preserves to give it a shiny, glossy finish and help preserve the fruit’s freshness.

5. Serve the Fruit Pizza:

• Chill: Place the fruit pizza in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the topping to set.
• Slice and serve: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice the fruit pizza into wedges, and serve chilled.

How to Cook Fruit Pizza: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a quick recap of the steps for making this colorful dessert:

1. Prepare the crust: Mix the sugar cookie dough, press it into a pizza pan, and bake until golden brown. Let it cool completely.
2. Make the cream cheese topping: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
3. Assemble the pizza: Spread the cream cheese mixture on the cooled cookie crust, then arrange the fresh fruit on top in your desired pattern.
4. Glaze and chill: Brush the fruit with preserves (optional) for a glossy finish, then chill the pizza in the fridge before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not chilling the crust: Allow the sugar cookie crust to cool completely before spreading the cream cheese topping. If the crust is warm, the cream cheese may melt and become runny.
• Overbaking the crust: Be careful not to overbake the crust. You want it to be soft, not hard, so check it after 10 minutes and remove it when the edges are lightly golden.
• Overloading with fruit: While it’s tempting to load up on lots of fruit, too much can make the pizza soggy, so try to strike a balance with just the right amount.

Serving and Presentation Tips

• Colorful arrangement: To make your fruit pizza visually stunning, arrange fruits in colorful patterns or concentric circles.
• Add mint leaves: Garnish with a few mint leaves for an extra pop of color and a refreshing flavor.
• Individual pizzas: You can make mini fruit pizzas by dividing the dough into smaller circles and decorating each one individually.

How to Serve Fruit Pizza

Fruit pizza is best served chilled, making it a refreshing and light dessert. Slice it like a regular pizza using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, and serve each slice with a side of whipped cream or a drizzle of honey for an added touch of sweetness.

Presentation Ideas for Fruit Pizza

• Rainbow Fruit Pizza: Arrange the fruit in rainbow colors for a stunning and bright presentation, perfect for kids’ parties or summer events.
• Heart-Shaped Fruit Pizza: Use a heart-shaped pan or freeform a heart-shaped cookie crust for a fun and festive twist—great for Valentine’s Day or anniversaries.
• Personalized Fruit Designs: Let guests create their own mini fruit pizzas by providing a variety of fruits and toppings, so they can customize their desserts.

Fruit Pizza Recipe Tips

• Chill before serving: For the best texture and flavor, chill the fruit pizza for 20-30 minutes before serving to let the cream cheese set and the flavors meld.
• Use fresh fruits: Fresh fruits not only taste better but also look more vibrant. Stick to seasonal fruits for the best results.
• Prevent sogginess: To avoid the fruit pizza becoming soggy, don’t assemble it too far in advance. Assemble just before serving or up to 2 hours ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make fruit pizza ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the sugar cookie crust and cream cheese topping in advance. Store the crust at room temperature and the cream cheese topping in the fridge. Assemble the pizza with the fruit just before serving to ensure the fruit stays fresh.

Q: How long does fruit pizza last?
A: Fruit pizza is best served fresh. It will last for up to 2 days in the refrigerator, but the fruit may start to soften and the cookie crust may lose its crispness after the first day.

Q: Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
A: Absolutely! Store-bought sugar cookie dough works perfectly if you’re short on time. Just roll it out and bake as directed.

Q: Can I freeze fruit pizza?
A: No, freezing fruit pizza is not recommended, as the fruit will become mushy when thawed and the cookie crust may lose its texture.

Conclusion

This Fruit Pizza recipe is a fun, easy, and crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With its soft sugar cookie crust, creamy cream cheese layer, and vibrant, fresh fruit topping, it’s a delicious and beautiful treat that everyone will love. Customize it with your favorite fruits and designs, and you’ll have a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!

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