Fruit Pizza

About Fruit Pizza

Fruit Pizza is a delightful dessert that brings together the buttery, chewy texture of a brown sugar cookie crust with the creamy, tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting, topped generously with fresh, vibrant fruits. This colorful and refreshing treat is not only visually stunning but also perfect for warm-weather gatherings, family celebrations, or anytime you want a sweet but lighter dessert option. The combination of the soft cookie base with luscious frosting and juicy berries makes it a crowd-pleaser, with a balance of sweetness and freshness that feels indulgent yet bright.

this recipe

What You’ll Need for Fruit Pizza

Complete Ingredients List

• 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
• 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 any other fresh fruit you prefer)
• Optional: fresh honey, for drizzling

Ingredient Substitutions & Alternatives

• Flour: For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, but be sure to check if it contains xanthan gum for structure.
• Butter: Use dairy-free margarine or coconut oil as a vegan-friendly substitute.
• Brown Sugar: You can replace light brown sugar with coconut sugar for a more natural flavor, or use white granulated sugar if that’s what you have on hand.
• Egg: For an egg-free version, use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or a commercial egg replacer.
• Almond Extract: If you don’t have almond extract or prefer to avoid nuts, just omit it or add a little extra vanilla extract instead.
• Sweetener for Frosting: Maple syrup or honey adds a lovely natural sweetness and slight flavor depth, but powdered sugar works perfectly for a more traditional cream cheese frosting texture.
• Cream Cheese: For dairy-free options, use a vegan cream cheese substitute made from nuts or soy.
• Fruit: Feel free to mix and match seasonal fruits—kiwi, mango, or peaches make excellent alternatives or additions to berries.

How to Make Fruit Pizza

Step-by-step Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking pan—either a quarter sheet pan, 9 x 13-inch baking dish, or 12-inch round pizza pan—by greasing it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer to beat the softened butter and light brown sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary to ensure everything is mixed well.
5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the flour disappears. Be careful not to over-mix to keep the dough tender and chewy.
6. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Use a fork to prick a few holes in the dough surface—this helps prevent bubbling and ensures even baking.
7. Bake the crust for 15 to 18 minutes, or until it turns a lovely light golden color around the edges.
8. Remove the crust from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
9. While the crust cools, prepare the cream cheese frosting by whisking together the cream cheese, maple syrup or honey (or powdered sugar), vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and creamy.
10. Once the cookie crust has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
11. Arrange your choice of fresh fruit over the frosting in a decorative pattern, layering berries or mixed fruit to your liking.
12. If desired, drizzle a bit of fresh honey over the fruit topping to add a subtle shine and extra sweetness.
13. Slice into squares or wedges, serve, and enjoy your fresh, fruity, and delicious dessert pizza!

Serving Suggestions for Fruit Pizza

How to Serve Fruit Pizza

Fruit Pizza is best served chilled or at room temperature. After frosting and topping, allow it to chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the frosting set, which makes slicing easier. You can cut it into traditional pizza-like wedges or square pieces, depending on the shape of your pan.

This dessert shines as a centerpiece for brunch, summer parties, or afternoon teas. It’s visually stunning on a dessert table and offers a lighter alternative to heavy cakes or pies.

Perfect Pairings & Toppings

• Pair with a cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade or iced herbal tea for a refreshing combo.
• Top with shredded toasted coconut or slivered almonds for a crunchy contrast.
• Add a sprinkle of chia seeds or hemp hearts for an unexpected health boost.
• Fresh mint leaves make a lovely garnish that also adds a bright herbal note.
• For extra decadence, drizzle with dark chocolate or white chocolate sauce instead of honey.

Storing & Preserving Fruit Pizza

Best Storage Methods

Store any leftover fruit pizza covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit keep best when chilled, and it will remain fresh for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating or Freezing Tips

Because of the cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit, fruit pizza is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature rather than reheated.

If you need to freeze it, freeze the cookie crust alone first, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw completely before adding frosting and fruit toppings to preserve freshness and texture.

Tips for Perfect Fruit Pizza Every Time

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Overmixing the dough: This can make the crust tough instead of soft and chewy.
• Not cooling the crust fully: Applying frosting to a warm crust will cause it to melt and become messy.
• Skipping the fork holes: Without pricking the dough, it might bubble unevenly while baking.
• Using overly juicy fruit: Fruits like watermelon or very ripe peaches can release too much moisture, making the crust soggy.

Helpful Tricks for Success

• Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing and better dough consistency.
• Chill your fruit briefly before topping to keep it firm and fresh-looking.
• If your dough feels sticky, lightly flour your hands and press it gently into the pan.
• Try mixing different types of berries for a colorful and flavor-packed topping.

Fun Variations of Fruit Pizza

Flavor Variations or Recipe Twists

• Citrus Twist: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the dough and swap vanilla extract in the frosting for lemon extract.
• Chocolate Lover’s: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate cookie base, and use chocolate chips or chunks as toppings alongside fruit.
• Tropical Vibes: Use shredded coconut in the dough and top with mango, pineapple, and kiwi slices.
• Spiced Cookie Crust: Add cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough for a warm, cozy flavor perfect for fall gatherings.

Dietary-Friendly Adjustments

• Vegan: Use plant-based butter, vegan cream cheese, and replace egg with flax or chia eggs.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend.
• Low Sugar: Use a sugar substitute in the dough and frosting such as erythritol or monk fruit sweetener.
• Dairy-Free: Choose coconut cream cheese alternatives and vegan butter options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If My Fruit Pizza Doesn’t Turn Out Right?

If your crust is too hard or crumbly, you might have overbaked it or overmixed the dough. Next time, watch the baking time closely and mix just until combined. If the frosting is too runny, add more powdered sugar or chill it longer before spreading. If the fruit releases too much juice, try using less juicy fruit or pat them dry before topping.

Can I Prepare This in Advance?

Yes! You can prepare the cookie crust a day ahead and keep it wrapped at room temperature. The frosting and fruit are best prepared and assembled the day of serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant.

What Ingredients Can I Swap?

Butter can be swapped for margarine or coconut oil for dairy-free versions. Brown sugar can be replaced with coconut sugar or white sugar. Maple syrup or honey in the frosting can be swapped for powdered sugar if you prefer a classic frosting texture. Egg can be replaced with flax or chia eggs for vegan baking. Flour can be replaced with gluten-free blends for those with gluten intolerance.

Print