Fruit Pizza Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, fresh, and vibrant dessert to wow your guests, look no further than this Fruit Pizza Recipe. This sweet, visually stunning dessert is a delightful combination of a soft cookie crust, a luscious cream cheese frosting, and an array of fresh, colorful fruits. Not only is it incredibly tasty, but it’s also super easy to make, making it perfect for parties, potlucks, or even a fun family dessert night. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser or just something to brighten up your dessert table, this fruit pizza will deliver!

this Recipe

What is Fruit Pizza?

Fruit Pizza is a dessert that consists of three simple components: a soft sugar cookie crust, a rich cream cheese frosting, and a variety of fresh fruits arranged on top to resemble a pizza. The cookie crust acts as the "dough," the cream cheese frosting serves as the "sauce," and the fruits are the "toppings." It’s a versatile dessert that can be customized with any fruits you like, making it a hit with kids and adults alike. Best of all, it’s visually appealing, colorful, and bursting with fresh flavors.

Ingredients List for Fruit Pizza

This easy Fruit Pizza Recipe calls for simple ingredients that you might already have in your pantry and fridge. You can also customize it by swapping out the fruits to suit the season or your preferences. Here’s what you’ll need:

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

(Alternatively, you can use pre-made sugar cookie dough to save time.)

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Fruit Toppings (Suggestions):

• Strawberries, sliced
• Blueberries
• Kiwi, peeled and sliced
• Pineapple, chopped
• Raspberries
• Mandarin oranges
• Grapes, halved
• Blackberries

Optional Glaze (for extra shine):

• ¼ cup apricot preserves or orange marmalade
• 1 tablespoon water

Substitutions and Variations

While the classic Fruit Pizza recipe uses a sugar cookie crust and cream cheese frosting, there are plenty of variations and substitutions you can try to make this dessert your own:

• Gluten-Free Option: Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, and ensure the rest of your ingredients are gluten-free.
• Pre-made Cookie Dough: For a quicker option, use store-bought sugar cookie dough. Simply roll it out and bake as the crust.
• Greek Yogurt Frosting: For a lighter version, substitute part of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or use all yogurt sweetened with a bit of honey.
• Chocolate Chip Crust: Add mini chocolate chips to the sugar cookie dough for a fun chocolate twist.
• Fruit Choices: You can use any fruit you like! Consider seasonal fruits like peaches, mangoes, pomegranates, or even figs for a unique and fresh taste.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and a plant-based butter substitute for the frosting to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
• No-Bake Crust: Use a graham cracker crust (like you would for a cheesecake) or even a brownie base if you prefer a no-bake option.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

This Fruit Pizza Recipe is straightforward and comes together in just a few steps. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill so you can dig in!

Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookie Crust

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-inch pizza pan or a baking sheet with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
4. Press Dough into Pan: Press the sugar cookie dough evenly into the prepared pizza pan or shape it into a large circle on a baking sheet (about ¼ inch thick). Try to create an even layer so it bakes uniformly.
5. Bake the Crust: Bake the cookie crust for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool completely on a wire rack.

(Tip: You can also make mini fruit pizzas by pressing the dough into muffin tins or using smaller cookie cutters.)

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Vanilla and Sugar: Add the vanilla extract and gradually mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth. You can add more powdered sugar if you prefer a thicker consistency.
3. Chill the Frosting: Refrigerate the frosting for about 10 minutes to firm it up before spreading it on the crust.

Step 3: Assemble the Fruit Pizza

1. Spread the Frosting: Once the cookie crust has cooled completely, spread an even layer of the cream cheese frosting over the entire surface of the crust.
2. Arrange the Fruit: Now for the fun part! Arrange the sliced fruit on top of the frosting in a decorative pattern. You can create rings of different fruits, alternate colors, or just scatter the fruit for a more casual look.

(Tip: Start from the outside and work your way in to create an eye-catching design.)

Step 4: Add an Optional Glaze

1. Prepare the Glaze: In a small saucepan, heat the apricot preserves or orange marmalade with 1 tablespoon of water until melted and smooth. Let it cool slightly.
2. Brush the Glaze: Using a pastry brush, gently brush the glaze over the fruit. This will give the fruit pizza a beautiful, glossy finish and help keep the fruit looking fresh.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

1. Chill the Pizza: Place the fruit pizza in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the frosting to set and makes slicing easier.
2. Slice and Serve: Once chilled, slice the fruit pizza into wedges just like you would a regular pizza. Serve cold and enjoy this colorful and refreshing dessert!

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

1. Preheat the Oven to 350°F (175°C): Grease your pizza pan or baking sheet.
2. Make the Sugar Cookie Crust: Cream butter and sugar, then mix in egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and press the dough into your prepared pan.
3. Bake the Crust: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are golden, and let it cool completely.
4. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter, then mix in vanilla and powdered sugar.
5. Frost the Crust: Spread the chilled frosting evenly over the cooled cookie crust.
6. Decorate with Fruit: Arrange the fresh fruit in your desired pattern on top of the frosting.
7. Chill the Pizza: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for best results.
8. Slice and Serve: Cut the fruit pizza into slices and enjoy!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making Fruit Pizza is simple, but there are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid to ensure your dessert turns out perfect:

• Overbaking the Crust: The sugar cookie crust should be lightly golden, not overly browned. Overbaking will make the crust too hard and difficult to cut.
• Not Letting the Crust Cool: Make sure the cookie crust cools completely before adding the frosting, or the frosting will melt and become runny.
• Using Wet Fruit: After washing your fruit, make sure to pat it dry completely. Wet fruit can make the frosting watery and cause the pizza to become soggy.
• Skipping the Chilling Step: Allow the fruit pizza to chill in the fridge before serving. This helps the frosting set and keeps the fruit fresh.

Serving and Presentation Tips

When it comes to serving Fruit Pizza, presentation is key! Here are some tips to make your fruit pizza look as stunning as it tastes:

• Color Coordination: Use a variety of fruits with different colors and textures to create a vibrant, eye-catching design.
• Create Patterns: Arrange the fruits in concentric circles, stripes, or even shapes like flowers or hearts to make your dessert look extra special.
• Serve Chilled: Fruit pizza tastes best when served cold. It keeps the frosting firm and the fruit fresh.

How to Serve Fruit Pizza

Slice your Fruit Pizza just like you would a regular pizza. You can serve it on a large platter, and to make things easier, cut it into smaller, more manageable slices for guests. Fruit pizza is best served cold, so keep it in the fridge until just before serving. It’s perfect for picnics, barbecues, birthday parties, or any summer gathering!

Presentation Ideas for Fruit Pizza

• Mini Fruit Pizzas: Make individual mini fruit pizzas by baking the cookie dough in muffin tins or using smaller cookie cutters. This is a great idea for kids' parties or individual servings.
• Fruit Shapes: Use small cookie cutters to cut fruits like melons or pineapples into fun shapes (stars, hearts, etc.) and arrange them on the pizza.
• Layered Fruit Pizza: Make a layered fruit pizza by adding extra toppings like shredded coconut, slivered almonds, or even a drizzle of honey or chocolate syrup.

Fruit Pizza Recipe Tips

• Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest cream cheese frosting, make sure both your cream cheese and butter are fully softened to room temperature.
• Pat Dry the Fruit: After washing your fruit, pat it completely dry with paper towels to avoid any excess moisture that could make the pizza soggy.
• Chill Before Serving: Don’t skip the chilling step! Allowing the fruit pizza to set in the fridge makes slicing easier and keeps everything fresh and crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make fruit pizza ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the cookie crust and frosting ahead of time. Frost and decorate the pizza just before serving to keep the fruit fresh.

Q: Can I freeze fruit pizza?
It’s best not to freeze fruit pizza because the texture of the fruit may become mushy once thawed. You can, however, freeze the baked cookie crust and add the frosting and fruit later.

Q: What type of fruits work best for fruit pizza?
Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, raspberries, and grapes are all great choices. Use a mix of colors for the best visual appeal.

Q: How long does fruit pizza last in the fridge?
Fruit pizza is best eaten within 1-2 days, as the fruit can start to release moisture and make the crust soggy.

Conclusion

This Fruit Pizza Recipe is a fun, colorful, and delicious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With its buttery sugar cookie crust, tangy cream cheese frosting, and fresh fruit topping, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a birthday, or just looking for a creative way to enjoy fresh fruit, this recipe will surely delight. Now, gather your favorite fruits and get ready to create a stunning fruit pizza masterpiece that everyone will love!

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