Description
This Best Fruit Pizza Recipe features a soft, chewy sugar cookie crust topped with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting and a vibrant assortment of fresh fruits. Finished with an optional apricot glaze for a glossy touch, it’s an inviting dessert that combines fruity freshness with a sweet base, perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Crust
- 1 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature (don’t microwave!)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. full-fat brick cream cheese, room temperature (don’t microwave!)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (don’t microwave!)
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Fruit Topping
- 4-5 cups assorted fresh fruit: 5 kiwis, 1 mango, 9 raspberries, 10 strawberries, and 1/2 cup blueberries (approximate)
Glaze (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Then, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract on medium speed just until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed ingredients. Beat just until combined; avoid overmixing. Use a spatula to incorporate any remaining flour streaks.
- Chill the Dough: Press plastic wrap directly onto the dough surface and chill for 20 minutes up to 1 day. If chilling more than 2 hours, let the dough sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before rolling, to soften it.
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-inch pizza pan with nonstick spray, even if it’s a nonstick pan. Avoid using a pizza crisper pan with holes or vents.
- Shape the Dough: Press or roll the chilled dough into a 9 to 10-inch circle on the prepared pan.
- Bake the Crust: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Avoid overbaking to keep the crust soft and chewy. Remove and cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat the room temperature butter and cream cheese on medium speed with a paddle attachment until creamy, approximately 2 minutes.
- Add Frosting Ingredients: On low speed, add powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the cream cheese mixture. Then increase speed to high and beat for 2 full minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Adjust Frosting Consistency: If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar gradually. If too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time. Add a pinch of salt if the frosting tastes too sweet.
- Frost the Crust: Spread the prepared cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled sugar cookie crust.
- Arrange Fruit: Decorate the pizza with the assorted fresh fruit. Start placing fruit from the outer edges moving inward, alternating fruit types for a vibrant pattern.
- Prepare Glaze (Optional): Place apricot preserves in a microwave-safe dish and microwave for about 30 seconds until spreadable. Lightly brush the fruit topping with the warmed glaze to enhance shine and flavor. Reheat the glaze if it becomes too thick to spread.
- Serve: Slice and serve the fruit pizza immediately, or refrigerate for up to 12 hours to allow flavors to meld for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use a solid pizza pan rather than a perforated pizza crisper to avoid dough slipping through holes.
- Don’t microwave butter or cream cheese as it can affect texture; bring them to room temperature naturally.
- If chilling the dough longer than 2 hours, allow it to soften at room temperature before rolling out to prevent cracking.
- The frosting can be adjusted in sweetness and consistency by tweaking the powdered sugar, milk, and salt amounts.
- Choose a variety of fresh fruits for color contrast and flavor balance.
- The apricot glaze is optional but adds a beautiful glossy finish and slight sweetness to the fruit topping.
