With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie crust as the base and a luscious cream cheese topping adorned with an assortment of fresh fruit, this Easy Fruit Pizza is the best dessert to bring to a spring or summer event!
Fruit pizza is a delightful dessert consisting of a sugar cookie crust topped with a creamy layer, made with sweetened cream cheese, and topped with an array of fresh, colorful fruits. It's the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and refreshing flavors that creates a visually stunning dessert!
The sugar cookie crust sets the foundation for this treat, providing a sweet and slightly crisp base that perfectly complements each layer. The cream cheese topping adds a creamy and tangy element, creating a smooth and velvety layer that pairs perfectly with the fruity goodness. The choice is yours when it comes to the fruit topping. Whether it's juicy strawberries, succulent blueberries, or vibrant kiwi slices, you can make it your own each time!
Sugar cookie fruit pizza is the ultimate go-to dessert for those sunny spring and summer months. It has a variety of textures, including elements of crunchy and creamy, along with a juicy twist from the fresh fruit. You can tailor it to suit your preferences and the seasonal fruits available, making it a versatile recipe for when you're hosting a backyard BBQ, a picnic in the park, or treating yourself to a sweet indulgence!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The homemade sugar cookie crust is the perfect base for fruit and cream cheese, providing a crispy and crunchy texture that holds everything together.
- You can use any fruits you enjoy, including fruits that are in season for the spring and summer months, allowing you to change up this dessert each time. This allows you to change up the color and presentation!
- The ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store, and you can even utilize your local farmers market to buy fruits which makes it extra special.
- It's an easy dessert to make for a crowd that can be sliced in any size you need.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Softened Butter - Adds richness and moisture to the sugar cookie crust, ensuring a tender and flavorful base.
- Egg - Acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the sugar cookie crust together and providing structure to the dough.
- Granulated Sugar - Adds sweetness to the sugar cookie crust along with texture.
- Vanilla Extract - Enhances the overall flavor of the sugar cookie crust, adding a warm and aromatic note.
- Salt - Balances the sweetness of the sugar in the crust, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Baking Powder - Acts as a leavening agent, helping the sugar cookie crust to rise slightly.
- Cornstarch - Helps to create a soft and tender texture in the sugar cookie crust, ensuring a bit of crispy texture in the crust.
- Flour - Provides structure to the sugar cookie crust, giving it a sturdy and cohesive texture.
Toppings:
- Softened Cream Cheese - Serves as the creamy and tangy layer in the fruit pizza that allows the fruit topping to stick.
- Butter - Mixed with cream cheese, butter adds to its creamy texture and adds a rich buttery flavor.
- Powdered Sugar - Mixed with the cream cheese and butter to sweeten the topping and create a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds a hint of warmth and depth to the flavor of the cream cheese layer.
- Sliced Fruit - The sliced fruit serves as the vibrant and refreshing topping for the fruit pizza, providing natural sweetness, juicy textures, and a beautiful array of colors and textures.
How To Make Fruit Pizza
Assemble the sugar cookie crust: To a stand mixer, add the butter, vanilla extract, and sugar. Cream together until combined. Then add the salt, baking powder, and cornstarch and mix until combined. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add in the flour until fully combined.
Chill the dough: Add a layer of plastic wrap tightly around the top of the bowl. Chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
Bake the crust: Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease a 12-inch pizza pan or line it with parchment paper.
Press and bake: Press the chilled dough evenly onto the pizza pan. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the edges turn slightly golden brown. Cool Completly.
Assemble the topping: Add the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla to a stand mixer or a mixing bowl if using a hand mixer. Mix until combined, then add the powdered sugar and mix until it's smooth and spreadable.
Assemble the fruit pizza: Spread the cream cheese layer over the cooled sugar cookie crust. Top with freshly sliced fruit. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- To ensure a perfectly tender sugar cookie crust, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. This will allow it to blend smoothly with the other ingredients and create a light and fluffy texture. You'll also want to make sure you don't overmix the dough, or it can have a dense texture.
- To prevent the sliced fruits from oxidizing and losing their vibrant colors, you can lightly brush them with a mixture of lemon juice and water. This simple step will help preserve their freshness and keep them looking beautiful on top of the cream cheese topping.
- To enhance the flavor of the sugar cookie crust, consider adding a touch of citrus zest, such as lemon or orange, to the dough. This will provide a subtle and refreshing citrus note that complements the sweetness of the crust and the fruits.
- Make sure that the crust is completely cooled before adding the cream cheese layer, as a warm crust will make the cream cheese run and lose its thick texture.
Variations
- Choose a variety of colorful fruits to create an eye-catching presentation. Use a combination of berries, kiwi, pineapple, grapes, or any other fruits you love.
- For a chocolate twist, add a layer of chocolate ganache over the sugar cookie crust before spreading the cream cheese topping.
- Add a nutty crunch to your fruit pizza by incorporating chopped nuts into the sugar cookie crust. Pecans, almonds, or walnuts work beautifully.
- Elevate your fruit pizza with a caramel drizzle. After spreading the cream cheese topping, drizzle a generous amount of warm caramel sauce over the fruits. This adds sweetness and a touch of indulgence.
- Dust the fruit pizza with freshly sifted powdered sugar to create texture, sweetness, and a bakery-style presentation.
Best Fruits For Fruit Pizza
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Kiwi
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Grapes (red, green, or a mix)
- Mandarin oranges
- Peach slices
- Banana slices
- Pomegranate arils
- Watermelon cubes
- Apple slices
- Cherries (fresh or canned)
Storing & Freezing
Storing: To store leftover fruit pizza, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. store in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Freezing: While the cream cheese topping and fresh fruits do not freeze well, you can freeze the sugar cookie crust separately. Allow the crust to cool completely, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe bag. The crust can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then proceed with adding the cream cheese topping and fresh fruits for serving.
FAQ
The main difference between fruit pizza and fruit tart lies in the crust. Fruit pizza typically features a sugar cookie crust, while a fruit tart has a buttery and flaky pastry crust. Additionally, fruit pizza often incorporates a cream cheese or frosting-based topping, while fruit tart usually uses a custard or pastry cream filling.
To prevent bananas from turning brown on a fruit pizza, you can brush them with lemon juice. The acidity in lemon juice helps slow down the oxidation process and preserves the bright color of the bananas. Alternatively, you can add the banana slices just before serving to minimize the exposure to air and reduce browning.
More Refreshing Fruit Dessert Recipes
- Strawberry and Blueberry Poundcake Trifle
- Raspberry Lemonade Cookies
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Strawberry Fluff Salad
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Easy Fruit Pizza
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ c butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1⅔ cup flour
Toppings
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 3 tbsp butter softened to room temperature
- 1⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups fresh fruit sliced
Instructions
Sugar Cookie Crust
- Using a stand mixer, cream butter, vanilla extract, and sugar together. Add salt, baking powder, and cornstarch and mix until blended.
- While the mixer is on low speed, slowly mix in the flour.
- Cover the bowl tightly and chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease a 12-inch pizza pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Press the chilled dough evenly onto the pizza pan. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the edges turn slightly golden brown. Cool Completly.
Cream Cheese Topping
- Whip cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract together using a stand or a hand-held mixer. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Evenly spread the cream cheese topping over the cooled crust. Arrange fresh sliced fruit on top. Serve and ENJOY!
Notes
Best Fruits For Fruit Pizza
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Kiwi
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Grapes (red, green, or a mix)
- Mandarin oranges
- Peach slices
- Banana slices
- Pomegranate arils
- Watermelon cubes
- Apple slices
- Cherries (fresh or canned)
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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