Bright, beautiful, and absolutely delicious, this Fruit Pizza is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert! Featuring a tender, chewy sugar cookie crust, topped with a sweet and tangy cream cheese spread, and piled high with an assortment of fresh, colorful fruits, it’s a refreshing and delightful treat that’s perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a burst of fresh flavor.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Fruit Pizza recipe is a go-to in my kitchen, especially when I need a dessert that’s both impressive and incredibly easy. What I love most is the fantastic combination of textures and flavors: the soft, slightly chewy sugar cookie crustprovides a comforting base, while the creamy, tangy cream cheese layer adds a luscious element. But the real star is the vibrant array of fresh, assorted fruits, which provide natural sweetness, juicy bursts, and stunning visual appeal. It’s a simple recipe that feels light and refreshing, always disappears fast from the dessert table, and is a joy to customize with whatever fruits are in season!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Fruit Pizza:
- 1 (16.5 ounces) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups assorted fruit, fresh (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges, grapes, pineapple chunks)
Swaps and Notes
- Sugar Cookie Dough: Using refrigerated sugar cookie dough makes this recipe incredibly quick and easy. You can also use your favorite homemade sugar cookie dough recipe if preferred.
- Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free spread. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for richness.
- Granulated Sugar (Cream Cheese Layer): Adjust the amount to your sweetness preference.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract offers the best flavor for the cream cheese layer.
- Assorted Fruit: The beauty of fruit pizza is customization! Choose a variety of colorful, fresh fruits that are in season. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, grapes, and even sliced peaches or nectarines work wonderfully. Wash and dry fruit thoroughly before topping.
- Pizza Pan: A 12-inch pizza pan or a large round baking sheet is ideal.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Fruit Pizza assembled!
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Pizza Pan: Lightly grease or spray a 12-inch pizza pan or a large round baking sheet with baking spray.
- Prepare Cookie Crust: Crumble the refrigerated sugar cookie dough evenly over the prepared pizza pan. Using your fingers (lightly floured if sticky), gently pat the dough into a uniform 12-inch circle, covering the entire pan surface.
- Bake Cookie Crust: Bake the cookie crust in the preheated oven for 16 to 20 minutes, or until it is golden brown around the edges and doesn’t look wet in the center. The crust should be set.
- Cool Crust Completely: Remove the baked cookie crust from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial – at least 30 minutes, or longer if needed. Do not proceed to the next step until the crust is fully cooled.
- Make Cream Cheese Layer: While the cookie crust is cooling, prepare the cream cheese layer. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer or whisk until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and lump-free.
- Assemble Pizza: Once the cookie crust has cooled completely, spread the prepared cream cheese layer evenly over the crust, leaving a small border if desired.
- Top with Fruit: Arrange the 4 cups of assorted fresh fruit artfully over the cream cheese layer. Get creative with your patterns and colors!
- Chill (Optional): For best results and to allow the flavors to meld, you can chill the fruit pizza in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Enjoy this delicious and refreshing Fruit Pizza!
Tips for Success
- Cool Crust Completely: This is the most critical step! If the crust is warm, the cream cheese layer will melt and create a messy pizza.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free spread.
- Pat Dough Evenly: Pressing the cookie dough into an even thickness ensures uniform baking.
- Dry Your Fruit: Wash and thoroughly dry your fresh fruit before placing it on the cream cheese layer. Excess moisture can make the pizza soggy.
- Assorted Fruit: Use a variety of colors and textures for visual appeal and balanced flavor.
- Serve Fresh: Fruit pizza is best enjoyed the day it’s made for optimal freshness of the fruit and crispness of the crust.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Fruit Pizza is a delightful and refreshing dessert perfect for various occasions:
- Summer Gatherings: Ideal for backyard BBQs, picnics, and pool parties.
- Potlucks: Always a popular choice due to its vibrant appearance and crowd-pleasing flavor.
- Brunches: A lovely, lighter dessert option for a brunch spread.
- Kid’s Parties: Fun, colorful, and a guaranteed hit with children.
- For other incredibly popular, easy, and family-friendly desserts, consider our This Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Is My Favorite No-Bake Summer Dessert or our This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert To Feed A Crowd.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Fruit pizza is best consumed fresh for optimal taste and appearance of the fruit.
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled and leftover fruit pizza, covered loosely with plastic wrap or foil, in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. The crust may soften over time, and some fruits may weep.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this dessert due to the fresh fruit and cream cheese layer, which can change texture significantly upon thawing.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the sweet, refreshing, and easy nature of this fruit pizza, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free dessert and cookie recipes:
- For another incredibly indulgent sweet treat, try our These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession.
- If you’re a fan of delightful and colorful cookies, our These Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies Are My Favorite Way To Bake Up Instant Joy are a must-try.
- And for a delightful no-bake fall dessert that’s simple yet delicious, check out This Pumpkin Delight Dessert Is My Favorite No-Bake Fall Treat.
Final Thoughts
This Fruit Pizza Recipe is a brilliant solution for bringing a truly vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying dessert to your table with ease. It’s perfect for summer celebrations, promising a delightful burst of fresh fruit and sweet creaminess that everyone will adore.
Give this recipe a try and let this colorful fruit pizza become your new go-to party dessert! What’s your favorite combination of fruits for a dessert? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!
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