Fruit Pizza is a stunning, crowd-pleasing dessert that features a soft sugar cookie crust topped with creamy sweetened cream cheese frosting and an array of colorful fresh fruits arranged in beautiful patterns. This festive treat looks like a work of art with its vibrant rainbow of berries, kiwi, mandarin oranges, and other fruits arranged on a canvas of tangy-sweet cream cheese spread. Perfect for summer gatherings, birthday parties, potlucks, brunch, or anytime you want a dessert that’s as impressive to look at as it is delicious to eat, fruit pizza offers the perfect balance of sweet cookie, creamy topping, and fresh fruit. It’s customizable, naturally beautiful, and always disappears quickly at any gathering.
Serving Quantity: 12 servings
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including cooling time)
Ingredients:
For the Cookie Crust:
- Half cup unsalted butter (softened)
- Three-quarters cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 and a half cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Quarter teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- Quarter cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Half cup heavy whipping cream or whipped topping
For the Fruit Topping:
- 1 cup strawberries (sliced)
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup kiwi (peeled and sliced)
- 1 cup mandarin oranges (drained if canned)
- Half cup raspberries
- Half cup blackberries
- Half cup green grapes (halved)
For the Glaze (Optional):
- Quarter cup apricot preserves or apple jelly
- 1 tablespoon water
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 285
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fat: 14g
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 145mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Vitamin C: 35mg
1. Make the Cookie Crust
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix or the cookie will be tough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
2. Shape and Bake the Crust
Press the cookie dough evenly into a 12-inch pizza pan, a large round baking sheet, or a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. If the dough is sticky, lightly flour your hands or use parchment paper to press it evenly. The dough should be about a quarter inch thick and reach to the edges. Create a slight rim around the edge if desired by pressing the dough slightly higher at the edges. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cookie is set and lightly golden around the edges. The center should look dry but not browned. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack, at least 45 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy. Make sure there are no lumps. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until well combined and smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, or use ready-made whipped topping. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and fluffy. The frosting should be thick enough to spread but light and airy from the whipped cream.
4. Spread the Frosting
Once the cookie crust is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the entire surface, leaving about a half-inch border around the edges if you created a rim. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it smoothly and evenly. The frosting layer should be about a quarter to half inch thick. Make sure it reaches close to the edges so every slice gets frosting. Refrigerate the frosted crust for 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the fruit. This helps the frosting firm up slightly.
5. Prepare the Fruit
Wash all the fresh fruit thoroughly and pat completely dry with paper towels. Moisture will make the fruit pizza soggy and cause the fruit to slide off. Slice the strawberries into thin slices. Peel and slice the kiwi into rounds or half-moons. Drain canned mandarin oranges thoroughly. Keep berries whole. Halve the grapes if they’re large. Having all your fruit prepared and dry before you start arranging makes the process much smoother and faster.
6. Arrange the Fruit
Remove the chilled, frosted crust from the refrigerator. Arrange the fruit in decorative patterns on top of the cream cheese frosting. You can create concentric circles starting from the outside and working in, make stripes or sections of different colors, create a rainbow pattern, or arrange randomly for a rustic look. Press the fruit gently into the frosting so it adheres. Popular arrangements include strawberries around the outer edge, then blueberries, kiwi, and oranges in rings toward the center. Get creative and make it your own.
7. Apply the Glaze (Optional)
For a professional, glossy finish, make a simple glaze. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the apricot preserves or apple jelly with water. Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Stir well. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the glaze over all the fruit. This adds shine, helps preserve the fruit, and prevents browning. The glaze also helps the fruit stick to the frosting. Refrigerate the completed fruit pizza for at least 30 minutes before serving. Keep refrigerated until ready to slice and serve.
Tips for Perfect Fruit Pizza
Make sure the cookie crust is completely cool before adding frosting. Warm crust will melt the frosting and create a mess. Patience during cooling is essential.
Use brick-style cream cheese, not whipped or spreadable versions. They’re too soft and won’t hold up properly under the fruit topping.
Pat fruit completely dry after washing. Excess moisture makes everything soggy and causes fruit to slide off when slicing. This step is crucial.
Arrange fruit just before serving if possible, or within a few hours. The fruit stays freshest and the colors remain vibrant when added close to serving time.
Different fruits create different looks. Use seasonal fruits for the freshest flavor. Summer berries, spring citrus, or fall apples and pears all work beautifully.
The glaze is optional but adds professional appearance and helps fruit stay fresh longer. Apple jelly is clear while apricot adds slight color.
Cut with a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean slices. Wipe the blade between cuts for the neatest presentation through all layers.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The fruit will soften and release moisture, so it’s best eaten the day it’s made.
Make mini fruit pizzas using sugar cookies as individual bases. Top each cookie with frosting and fruit for personal servings perfect for parties.
Dairy-free versions can be made using vegan cream cheese and coconut whipped cream. The texture is slightly different but still delicious.
Add lemon zest to the cream cheese frosting for brightness that complements the fruit. Just a teaspoon adds wonderful citrus notes.
Tropical versions using mango, pineapple, kiwi, and coconut are stunning. Use passion fruit or lime in the frosting for theme consistency.
Make the cookie crust a day ahead and store covered at room temperature. Add frosting and fruit the day of serving for freshest results.
Different cookie bases work too. Try chocolate chip cookie dough, sugar cookie from scratch, or even brownie as the base for variation.
The cream cheese frosting can be flavored differently. Try adding almond extract, orange zest, or a tablespoon of fruit jam for variety.
Pomegranate seeds, star fruit slices, or edible flowers add extra elegance and visual interest for special occasions.
This dessert is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free flour in the cookie base. Everything else is already gluten-free.
Kids love helping arrange the fruit. Let them create their own patterns and designs. It’s a fun, interactive dessert activity.
Serve with extra whipped cream on the side for those who want their slices extra decadent and creamy.
The fruit can be arranged in flag patterns for patriotic holidays, hearts for Valentine’s Day, or specific designs for themed parties. Get creative with the artistic possibilities.
