Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This fruit pizza recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet and fresh flavors while being surprisingly easy to make. The brown sugar cookie base provides a rich, chewy foundation that’s more interesting than traditional sugar cookies, while the cream cheese frosting adds a tangy complement to the sweet fruits. What makes this recipe particularly appealing is its versatility – you can use whatever fresh fruits are in season or match your color scheme for special occasions. Plus, it’s a dessert that actually looks as professional as it tastes, making it ideal for entertaining without requiring advanced baking skills.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Brown Sugar Cookie Crust
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 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 (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or any other fruit that sounds good!)
- optional fresh honey, for drizzling
How to Make Fruit Pizza: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Step 2: Form the Dough
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix. The dough should be soft but manageable.
Step 3: Roll and Bake
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to a greased 12-inch pizza pan or large baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The center should still be slightly soft. Allow to cool completely on the pan.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
While the crust cools, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add maple syrup (or honey/powdered sugar), vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until well combined and spreadable.
Step 5: Assemble Your Fruit Pizza
Once the cookie crust is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the surface, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the edges. Arrange your fresh fruits in an attractive pattern over the frosting. Drizzle with honey if desired.
Helpful Tips
Temperature Matters: Make sure your cookie crust is completely cool before adding the frosting, or it will melt and slide off. Room temperature cream cheese will blend more easily and create a smoother frosting.
Fruit Selection: Choose fruits that are ripe but still firm to prevent them from becoming mushy. Pat berries dry with paper towels before arranging to prevent excess moisture from making the frosting watery.
Make-Ahead Strategy: You can bake the cookie crust up to two days in advance and store it covered at room temperature. The frosting can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, then brought to room temperature before spreading.
Details
This fruit pizza serves 8-12 people depending on slice size. The combination of the brown sugar cookie base and cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that’s reminiscent of a giant frosted cookie but with the fresh, healthy addition of seasonal fruits. The almond extract in the crust adds a subtle nutty flavor that complements most fruits beautifully.
