As the warmth of summertime dances in the air, the gatherings grow more frequent. Last weekend, a friend hosted a casual barbecue, and while burgers and hot dogs were on the grill, my mind drifted towards what dessert would harmonize with such a feast. I wanted something light, vibrant, and easy to share. Enter fruit pizza. The idea of a dessert that combines sweet, creamy goodness with fresh fruit excites me.
What is Fruit Pizza?
So, what is fruit pizza? At its core, fruit pizza is a delightful concoction that merges a sweet, baked cookie crust with a creamy filling, topped generously with fresh fruit. It’s more than a dessert; it’s an experience. Each bite brings a burst of flavor and color, making it visually appealing and delicious. This sweet treat is particularly popular during summer when fruits are at their peak, and who doesn’t love a colorful dish bursting with juicy flavors?
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The Ingredients
Creating a fruit pizza isn’t complicated, but it does require a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Sugar Cookie Crust:
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): At room temperature for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Sweetness and structure.
- Egg (1): Binds everything together.
- All-purpose flour (1.5 cups): Creates the base—spoon and level for an accurate measurement.
- Cornstarch (1.5 teaspoons): This gives the crust a softer texture.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): A little lift and fluff.
- Fine sea salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): For warmth.
- Almond extract (optional, 1/2 teaspoon): Adds a lovely nutty aroma.
For the Topping:
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Softened for easy blending.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces): Full-fat, softened to room temperature for that creamy touch.
- Powdered sugar (1.25 cups): Sifted for a smooth finish.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon, optional): This adds a delightful tang.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): To enhance flavors.
- Assorted fresh fruit (3 cups): Think berries, kiwi, mango, or whatever catches your fancy.
How to Make Fruit Pizza
In a nutshell, making fruit pizza involves baking the crust, preparing the creamy filling, and then assembling everything together with fresh fruit. Sounds easy, right? Now let’s take a detailed look at the steps.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This allows the sugar cookie crust to bake evenly, leading to a perfectly golden finish.
Step 2: Prepare the Crust Dough
In a mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial; it introduces air into the dough, creating a lighter texture. Add in the egg, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and optional almond extract, mixing until fully combined.
In another bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 1.5 teaspoons of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined. You don’t want to overwork the dough; just mix until everything is incorporated.
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Crust
Spread the dough evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your hands or a spatula to create an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-18 minutes, or until the edges start turning light golden brown. Once done, take it out and let it cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Topping
While the crust cools, prepare the creamy topping. In a mixing bowl, beat together 3 tablespoons of softened butter and 8 ounces of cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 1.25 cups of sifted powdered sugar and mix until creamy. If you’d like some tang, stir in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Lastly, add in another teaspoon of pure vanilla extract for flavor.
Step 5: Assemble Your Fruit Pizza
Once the crust is cool, it’s time to spread that delicious cream cheese mixture evenly across the surface. Go for a nice, thick layer; you want every slice to be creamy and fabulous. Now for the fun part—arranging your assorted fresh fruit on top! This is where your creativity can shine. You can go for a rainbow effect, or simply arrange the fruits in a pattern that speaks to you.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
To allow the flavors to meld, place the assembled fruit pizza in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This also helps to firm up the creamy topping. When ready to serve, slice it like you would a pizza and enjoy the smiles it brings!
Notes
Here are some handy tips to keep in mind:
- Chill the Ingredients: For a smoother cream cheese topping, ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing.
- Fruit Choice: Use a variety of colorful fruits for aesthetics and flavor. Berries, kiwi, and peaches work wonderfully.
- Baking Time: Keep an eye on the crust. You want it golden, not browned all over.
- Serve Fresh: Fruit pizza tastes best the day it’s made. However, you can store leftovers, but they may not look as pretty.
- Customize: Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking, especially if you prefer less sugar.
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers (which is unlikely), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best eaten within 2-3 days for flavor freshness. The longer it sits, the more the crust may absorb moisture from the fruit and topping.
Nutrition Information
One slice of fruit pizza can vary, but it typically contains approximately:
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
This is a general estimate, so portion sizes will affect the exact numbers. Keep in mind that the nutrition will change depending on the fruits used.
Serving Suggestions
Serving a dish like fruit pizza comes with possibilities. Here are some delightful pairings that complement or enhance that vibrant flavor:
- Minted Yogurt Dip: A zingy dip would elevate the experience. Combine plain yogurt with fresh mint and a touch of honey for a refreshing contrast.
- Sparkling Lemonade: Serve alongside a cool, bubbly drink to cleanse the palate. The acidity of lemonade offsets the sweetness of the fruit pizza beautifully.
- Creamy Whipped Topping: A dollop of whipped cream adds richness. Consider spiking with a hint of vanilla or almond extract for added flavor.
- Summer Salad: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette balances the sweetness of fruit pizza. It’s a lovely, fresh counterpoint.
- Ice Cream Sandwich Variation: For a delightful twist, create a small ice cream sandwich with cookie crusts instead of traditional cookies. The creamy ice cream only enhances the fruit mixture.
What Other Substitutes Can I Use in Fruit Pizza?
Creating a fruit pizza allows for creativity in substitutions. Here are some ideas:
- Gluten-Free Flour: For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. It works wonderfully without altering the taste.
- Greek Yogurt for Topping: Swap cream cheese for Greek yogurt to lower fat content while adding protein.
- Honey or Agave: Replace powdered sugar in the topping with honey or agave syrup for a natural sweetener, making the dessert a bit healthier.
- Dairy-Free Cream Cheese: For a lactose-free version, utilize dairy-free cream cheese or a cashew-based cream for the topping.
- Seasonal Fruits: Embrace the seasons! Use fruits that are in season to ensure freshness and support local farms.
Equipment
- oven
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookie Crust:
- Unsalted butter 1/2 cup: At room temperature for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar 3/4 cup: Sweetness and structure.
- Egg 1: Binds everything together.
- All-purpose flour 1.5 cups: Creates the base—spoon and level for an accurate measurement.
- Cornstarch 1.5 teaspoons: This gives the crust a softer texture.
- Baking powder 1 teaspoon: A little lift and fluff.
- Fine sea salt 1/4 teaspoon: Balances the sweetness.
- Pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon: For warmth.
- Almond extract optional, 1/2 teaspoon: Adds a lovely nutty aroma.
For the Topping:
- Unsalted butter 3 tablespoons: Softened for easy blending.
- Cream cheese 8 ounces: Full-fat, softened to room temperature for that creamy touch.
- Powdered sugar 1.25 cups: Sifted for a smooth finish.
- Fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon, optional: This adds a delightful tang.
- Pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon: To enhance flavors.
- Assorted fresh fruit 3 cups: Think berries, kiwi, mango, or whatever catches your fancy.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This allows the sugar cookie crust to bake evenly, leading to a perfectly golden finish.
Step 2: Prepare the Crust Dough
- In a mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial; it introduces air into the dough, creating a lighter texture. Add in the egg, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and optional almond extract, mixing until fully combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 1.5 teaspoons of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined. You don’t want to overwork the dough; just mix until everything is incorporated.
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Crust
- Spread the dough evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your hands or a spatula to create an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-18 minutes, or until the edges start turning light golden brown. Once done, take it out and let it cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Topping
- While the crust cools, prepare the creamy topping. In a mixing bowl, beat together 3 tablespoons of softened butter and 8 ounces of cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 1.25 cups of sifted powdered sugar and mix until creamy. If you’d like some tang, stir in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Lastly, add in another teaspoon of pure vanilla extract for flavor.
Step 5: Assemble Your Fruit Pizza
- Once the crust is cool, it’s time to spread that delicious cream cheese mixture evenly across the surface. Go for a nice, thick layer; you want every slice to be creamy and fabulous. Now for the fun part—arranging your assorted fresh fruit on top! This is where your creativity can shine. You can go for a rainbow effect, or simply arrange the fruits in a pattern that speaks to you.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
- To allow the flavors to meld, place the assembled fruit pizza in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This also helps to firm up the creamy topping. When ready to serve, slice it like you would a pizza and enjoy the smiles it brings!
Notes
- Chill the Ingredients: For a smoother cream cheese topping, ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing.
- Fruit Choice: Use a variety of colorful fruits for aesthetics and flavor. Berries, kiwi, and peaches work wonderfully.
- Baking Time: Keep an eye on the crust. You want it golden, not browned all over.
- Serve Fresh: Fruit pizza tastes best the day it’s made. However, you can store leftovers, but they may not look as pretty.
- Customize: Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking, especially if you prefer less sugar.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make the crust in advance?
Absolutely! You can bake the cookie crust ahead of time. Just store it wrapped in plastic wrap until you’re ready to use it.
2. What fruits work best on a fruit pizza?
Berries, kiwi, peaches, and grapes are excellent choices, but feel free to experiment with any fruit you love! Choose fruits that complement each other in flavor and color.
3. Can I freeze fruit pizza?
It’s best not to freeze assembled fruit pizza because the fresh fruit will get mushy. However, you can freeze the crust before adding toppings, which gives flexibility.
4. Is fruit pizza suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, fruit pizza is vegetarian-friendly! The main ingredients are all derived from plants, making it a great option for vegetarians.
5. How can I make fruit pizza healthier?
Consider using whole wheat flour for the crust, using less sugar, or swapping cream cheese for alternatives like Greek yogurt. Opt for lower-sugar fruits for the topping too!
Conclusion
Fruit pizza is more than a dessert; it’s a creative canvas, a treat that sparks joy, a spark in any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, celebrating a birthday, or just looking for something sweet to enjoy, try bringing a fruit pizza to the table. The combination of a soft, sweet crust, a flavorful cream topping, and fresh fruit is irresistible.
With every slice and every color, it’s an invitation to savor the essence of summer embodied in a dessert. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let the sweetness unfold into your kitchen today!