Meet your new favorite treat: Fruit Pizza. This delightful dessert combines a golden, chewy sugar cookie crust, a layer of luscious cream cheese frosting, and a vibrant mosaic of fresh fruit. Each bite is a celebration of color and flavor, with sweet-and-tangy fruit glistening under a fragrant apricot glaze. Fruit Pizza is perfect for parties, spring picnics, or anytime you want to show off nature’s edible beauty—plus, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Fruit Pizza is in its simplicity—each ingredient shines in its own way, working together to create a dessert that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. Here’s what you’ll need, along with tips to make each element count.
- Refrigerated sugar cookie dough (16 ounces): This ready-made dough forms the perfect soft and chewy base, saving you time without sacrificing that classic homemade flavor.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Ensures a smooth, creamy frosting that melts into every bite—softening it makes it easy to whip.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Adds a touch of sweetness to the cream cheese, making the frosting irresistible without overpowering the fruit.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the frosting and brings a warm, comforting aroma to your Fruit Pizza.
- Fresh strawberries (1 cup, sliced): These add a burst of juicy red color and the quintessential sweet-tart flavor.
- Blueberries (1 cup): Offer up-sweet, juicy pops of flavor—no slicing required!
- Kiwi (1 cup, peeled and sliced): Brings tangy brightness and eye-catching green color.
- Mandarin orange segments (1 cup): These juicy jewels create sunny bursts of citrus in every slice.
- Apricot preserves (1/4 cup): When melted and brushed on top, this sweet glaze keeps the fruit vibrant and glossy.
- Water (1 tablespoon): Helps thin the preserves just enough for an easy-to-apply, glassy finish.
How to Make Fruit Pizza
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your sugar cookie dough and press it gently into a large circle—aim for about 1/4 inch thick—on an ungreased pizza pan or baking sheet. Tidying up the edges with a spatula or your fingers makes for a professional look. Pop it in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it’s just turning golden. The trick is to let the crust cool completely; this keeps the frosting from melting and ensures easy spreading later on.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the crust cools, grab a medium bowl and combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together until the mixture is cloud-like and creamy—you want it smooth, with no lumps. This rich frosting is what brings everything together, adding tang and sweetness in every bite.
Step 3: Frost the Crust
Once your cookie crust has completely cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top. Work from the center outward, leaving just a little border for an authentic “pizza” effect. Don’t be shy with the frosting—the fruit will stick best with a generous layer.
Step 4: Assemble the Fruit Topping
Now comes the best part: arranging the fruit. Let your creativity run wild, using the strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges to make colorful patterns or simple concentric circles. Mix and match fruits for a playful rainbow look—or go with a specific color scheme for a themed party. The flavors and textures will complement each other beautifully.
Step 5: Glaze for the Finishing Touch
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the apricot preserves and water. Stir until the preserves are melted and the mixture is smooth. With a pastry brush, gently apply the glaze to all the fruit. Not only does this give your Fruit Pizza a gorgeous sheen, but it also keeps the fruit fresh and vibrant.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
To bring it all together, refrigerate your finished Fruit Pizza for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and makes slicing much easier. When it’s time to serve, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice into wedges, just like a real pizza.
How to Serve Fruit Pizza
Garnishes
A few clever garnishes can elevate Fruit Pizza from fun to fabulous. Try sprinkling finely grated lemon or orange zest over the fruit for an extra zingy aroma, or scatter a handful of finely chopped fresh mint for a refreshing finish. You can also dust a bit of powdered sugar on top right before serving for a classic patisserie look.
Side Dishes
Fruit Pizza feels right at home at brunches, summer barbecues, and birthday parties. Pair it with a chilled citrus punch, a platter of cheese and crackers, or a light strawberry spinach salad for a balanced spread. Since it’s packed with fresh fruit, it’s already a celebration of summer on its own!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting a party, consider making individual mini Fruit Pizzas using round sugar cookies or cutting your large pizza into fun shapes with a cookie cutter. You can even serve the components as a build-your-own bar—let guests choose their own fruit combinations and designs for a personalized experience. This makes Fruit Pizza an interactive dessert that both kids and adults will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (which rarely happens!), simply cover the Fruit Pizza loosely with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container in the fridge. The fruit stays fresh and the crust keeps its delightful chewiness for up to two days, though it’s best enjoyed sooner rather than later.
Freezing
While it’s not ideal to freeze the fully assembled Fruit Pizza due to the fresh fruit and creamy topping, you can easily prepare the sugar cookie base in advance and freeze it, well-wrapped, for up to a month. When you’re ready to serve, thaw the crust, add the frosting and fruit, and your dessert will taste just as fresh.
Reheating
No reheating needed here—Fruit Pizza is best served chilled or at room temperature! If your crust gets a bit too firm from refrigeration, let it sit out for a few minutes before serving so it softens up to the perfect bite.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cookie dough instead of refrigerated store-bought?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade sugar cookie recipe, feel free to use it for the crust. Just keep the thickness and baking times similar to ensure the perfect base for your Fruit Pizza.
What other fruits work well on Fruit Pizza?
You’re only limited by your imagination! Try raspberries, blackberries, pineapple, mango, grapes, or peaches. Go for color contrast and a mix of sweet-tart flavors for the best result.
Is there a way to make Fruit Pizza gluten-free?
Yes—just use your go-to gluten-free sugar cookie dough for the crust. The toppings and glaze are naturally gluten-free, so you can easily adapt this dessert for those avoiding gluten.
What if I don’t have apricot preserves for the glaze?
No worries! You can substitute with peach or orange preserves, or even warm a bit of honey with water as a quick glaze. The goal is that glossy shine and just a touch more sweetness.
Can I assemble Fruit Pizza a day in advance?
For the best texture, prepare the cookie crust and cream cheese frosting in advance but hold off on adding the fruit and glaze until a few hours before serving. This keeps the fruit fresh and the crust from getting soggy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, colorful dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful, give Fruit Pizza a try. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to bring smiles to every table. Pick your favorite fruits, get creative with your designs, and make this showstopper part of your next celebration!
Print
Fruit Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful sweetness of a Fruit Pizza – a delectable dessert featuring a sugar cookie crust topped with a creamy layer of sweetened cream cheese and an array of colorful fresh fruits, finished with a glossy apricot glaze.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Crust:
- 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough (about 16 ounces)
Cream Cheese Topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit Toppings:
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments
Apricot Glaze:
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Press the sugar cookie dough into a large circle on a pizza pan and bake until golden brown.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Topping: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the cooled crust.
- Arrange Fruit: Decoratively place strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and mandarin orange on top.
- Make Glaze: Heat apricot preserves with water until smooth. Brush over the fruit.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the pizza before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite fruits like raspberries or blackberries.
- Best enjoyed fresh on the day it’s made.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
