Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and creamy base: The brown sugar cookie crust combined with the creamy frosting is a perfect balance of flavors.
- Customizable: You can use any fruit combination you like, making it versatile for all tastes and seasons.
- Quick and easy: This recipe takes only 20 minutes to prep, making it a simple yet impressive dessert.
- Perfect for sharing: It yields 12-16 servings, ideal for a group or family gathering.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Brown Sugar Cookie Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 (8-ounce) package low-fat cream cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (or 1 cup powdered sugar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine sea salt
Toppings:
- Fresh strawberries (or blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or any other fruit you love!)
- Optional: Fresh honey, for drizzling
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease either a quarter sheet pan, a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, or a 12-inch round pizza pan with cooking spray.
- Prepare the cookie dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl (using a stand mixer or hand mixer), beat the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on medium speed until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid over-mixing the dough. - Press the dough into the pan:
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. Use a fork to poke a few holes in the dough to prevent it from bubbling up.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the dough is lightly golden. Let the cookie crust cool for about 20 minutes on a wire rack. - Make the frosting:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and creamy. - Assemble the fruit pizza:
Once the cookie crust has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the surface.
Arrange the fresh fruit on top as desired, then drizzle with a little honey for an extra touch of sweetness if desired. - Serve:
Slice, serve, and enjoy the vibrant, fruity treat!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12-16
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 60 minutes
Variations
- Fruit Toppings: Experiment with different fruits, such as kiwi, pineapple, or peaches, depending on the season.
- Crust Option: For a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Frosting Alternatives: Use whipped cream or Greek yogurt as a lighter alternative to the cream cheese frosting.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep any leftover fruit pizza in the fridge for up to 2 days. It’s best enjoyed cold, but you can let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: This dessert is best served chilled, so there’s no need to reheat.
FAQs
1. Can I make the cookie crust ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cookie crust a day ahead. Simply store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to add the frosting and fruit.
2. Can I use canned fruit for the toppings?
Fresh fruit is preferred, but you can use canned fruit in a pinch. Be sure to drain it well to avoid excess moisture on the pizza.
3. Can I make the frosting without cream cheese?
Yes, you can substitute the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or whipped cream for a different flavor profile.
4. How can I make this dessert more colorful?
Add a variety of fruits with different colors, such as blueberries, kiwi, and mango slices, for a more vibrant appearance.
5. Can I make this fruit pizza vegan?
Yes, use vegan butter and a dairy-free cream cheese substitute for the frosting, and opt for maple syrup instead of honey.
6. Can I use a different type of crust?
If you’re not a fan of the brown sugar cookie crust, you can try using a sugar cookie or even a graham cracker crust for a twist.
7. How long does the fruit pizza last?
The fruit pizza is best eaten within 1-2 days, as the crust may become soggy from the moisture in the fruit.
8. What type of fruit works best on a fruit pizza?
Fresh berries, sliced kiwis, and citrus fruits are excellent choices. Feel free to get creative with seasonal fruits!
9. Can I drizzle something else besides honey?
Yes, try drizzling chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or even fruit preserves for an extra layer of flavor.
10. How do I prevent the fruit pizza from getting soggy?
To avoid sogginess, make sure the cookie crust has cooled completely before spreading the frosting and topping with fruit. You can also avoid adding the fruit too far in advance.
Conclusion
This Fruit Pizza is a fun, colorful, and delicious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With its sweet brown sugar cookie crust, creamy frosting, and fresh fruit toppings, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Fruit Pizza
A refreshing fruit pizza with a brown sugar cookie crust, cream cheese frosting, and a colorful array of fresh fruit toppings, perfect for any gathering or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 (8-ounce) package low-fat cream cheese
2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (or 1 cup powdered sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of fine sea salt
Fresh strawberries (or blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or other fruits)
Optional: Fresh honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a quarter sheet pan, a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, or a 12-inch round pizza pan with cooking spray.
- For the cookie dough, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract, and beat until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. Poke a few holes in the dough with a fork. Bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Let the cookie crust cool for about 20 minutes on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, whisk together cream cheese, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla, and sea salt until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cookie crust is cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly on top. Arrange fresh fruit on top, and drizzle with honey if desired.
- Slice and serve the fruit pizza, and enjoy!
Notes
Use a variety of fruits like kiwi, pineapple, or peaches for a colorful touch.
For a gluten-free version, swap out the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
To lighten the frosting, substitute cream cheese with whipped cream or Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg