Brighten your dessert table with colorful Fruit Pizza Cookiesโfresh fruit atop a sweet, soft cookie crust thatโs fun to make and eat! These delightful treats combine the chewy goodness of cookies with the vibrant freshness of fruit and creamy frosting, creating an irresistible bite-perfect dessert thatโs sure to wow your friends and family. Fruit Pizza Cookies are perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to festive celebrations, delivering both eye-catching appeal and delicious flavor.
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Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Customizable: You can tailor the cookie base, frosting, and fruit toppings to your favorite flavors or dietary needs.
- Colorful Presentation: Bright, fresh fruit adds vibrant pops of color that make these cookies stand out on any dessert table.
- Perfect for Sharing: Small, bite-sized treats ideal for parties, snacks, or gifts that everyone will love.
- Balance of Flavors: The soft cookie, creamy frosting, and juicy fruit create a perfect harmony of textures and tastes.
Ingredients Youโll Need
Fruit Pizza Cookies come together beautifully using simple pantry staples and fresh fruit, each playing a key role in flavor, structure, and visual appeal. The cookie base provides soft sweetness, the frosting adds creamy tang, and the fruit offers freshness and a natural pop of color.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for the cookie dough, providing structure and softness.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a tender texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture, ensuring a soft cookie crust.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dough to balance the fruitโs tartness.
- Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture for chewy cookies.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- Cream Cheese: For the creamy frosting layer that holds the fruit toppings securely.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for perfect spreading.
- Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and mandarin slices bring vibrant colors and refreshing flavors.
Variations for Fruit Pizza Cookies
Feel free to customize your Fruit Pizza Cookies by swapping ingredients or adjusting toppings. This recipe is wonderfully flexible, easy to adapt for dietary needs, seasonal availability, or personal taste preferences, so you can make it truly your own.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend to keep cookies soft without compromising texture.
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute coconut cream or vegan cream cheese to accommodate allergies.
- Different Frosting: Try Greek yogurt or mascarpone for a lighter, tangy alternative.
- Seasonal Fruits: Swap fruits according to seasonโpeaches, blackberries, or pomegranate seeds work beautifully.
- Add a Drizzle: Finish with honey, chocolate, or fruit glaze for extra indulgence.
How to Make Fruit Pizza Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Start by creaming together the softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well. In a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour and baking powder, then gradually add this to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything forms a smooth dough, then chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball into a small, circular โcookie crustโ resembling a mini pizza base. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.
Step 3: Prepare the Frosting
While the cookies cool, mix cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable. This frosting will act as the โsauceโ layer of your fruit pizza cookies, providing a creamy contrast to the fruity toppings.
Step 4: Assemble the Fruit Pizza Cookies
Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over each cooled cookie base. Arrange fresh fruit pieces artistically on top, combining colors and shapes to create mini edible works of art. Get creative with the arrangementโcircles, stripes, or random clusters all look fantastic!
Pro Tips for Making Fruit Pizza Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the cookie dough ensures easier shaping and prevents spreading during baking.
- Use Fresh, Ripe Fruit: The freshest fruit provides the best flavor and vibrant color contrast for your cookies.
- Keep Frosting Cool: Store cream cheese frosting in the fridge before spreading so it holds its shape well.
- Uniform Cookie Size: Make cookies similar in size for even baking and consistent presentation.
- Dry Fruit Before Topping: Pat fruit dry to prevent sogginess and keep cookies crisp longer.
How to Serve Fruit Pizza Cookies
Garnishes
Enhance your Fruit Pizza Cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey for added sweetness and a touch of elegance. Fresh mint leaves make a delightful garnish that pairs perfectly with the fruity flavors.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside fresh lemonade, iced tea, or a creamy latte for a refreshing and balanced spread. They also pair beautifully with yogurt parfaits or light sorbets to keep the overall dessert experience fresh and fruity.
Creative Ways to Present
Display your Fruit Pizza Cookies on a colorful platter or a wooden serving board to highlight their vibrant hues. For parties, arrange them on tiered stands or place each cookie in a mini cupcake liner for easy grabbing. Consider adding edible flowers around for a stunning visual effect.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Fruit Pizza Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent the fruit from drying out. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal flavor and texture.
Freezing
Freeze the cookie bases before frosting by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer bag. Once ready to serve, thaw completely, add frosting and fresh fruit toppings. Avoid freezing fully assembled cookies as the fruit may become soggy.
Reheating
For soft and warm cookies, gently reheat the unfrosted cookie bases in the oven for 3-5 minutes at 300ยฐF (150ยฐC). Allow them to cool before adding frosting and fruit to keep the toppings fresh and intact.
FAQs
Can I use canned fruit instead of fresh fruit?
Fresh fruit is ideal for Fruit Pizza Cookies because it offers the best flavor, texture, and appearance, but if you use canned fruit, be sure to drain it well and pat dry to avoid sogginess.
How long will Fruit Pizza Cookies stay fresh?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, these cookies stay fresh for up to 3 days, but theyโre best enjoyed within 24-48 hours for optimal texture and taste.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Absolutely! Replace butter with plant-based margarine, use a vegan cream cheese substitute, and choose dairy-free frosting options to create vegan-friendly Fruit Pizza Cookies.
Whatโs the best way to slice fruit for topping?
Slice fruit into thin, even pieces for easy arrangement and bite-sized portions. Small cubes, thin rounds, or wedges work perfectly depending on the fruit type.
Can I prepare these cookies in advance for a party?
You can bake the cookie bases ahead of time and store them frozen or refrigerated. Assemble the cookies with frosting and fruit just before serving to keep them fresh and visually appealing.
Final Thoughts
Fruit Pizza Cookies offer a delightful and colorful twist on traditional cookie desserts thatโs bound to impress everyone at your table. Their simple ingredients, customizable nature, and beautiful presentation make them an absolute joy to bake and share. Give this recipe a tryโyou just might find your new favorite sweet treat!
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Fruit Pizza Cookies
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 10-12 mins
- Total Time: 50-52 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Brighten your dessert table with colorful Fruit Pizza Cookiesโfresh fruit atop a sweet, soft cookie crust combined with creamy frosting. These bite-sized treats are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful balance of chewy cookie, tangy frosting, and juicy fruit in a visually stunning presentation.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit Toppings
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Kiwi, peeled and sliced
- Blueberries
- Mandarin orange slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Start by creaming together the softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well. In a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour and baking powder, then gradually add this to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything forms a smooth dough, then chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Shape and Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball into a small, circular โcookie crustโ resembling a mini pizza base. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the cookies cool, mix cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable. This frosting will act as the โsauceโ layer of your fruit pizza cookies, providing a creamy contrast to the fruity toppings.
- Assemble the Fruit Pizza Cookies: Spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over each cooled cookie base. Arrange fresh fruit pieces artistically on top, combining colors and shapes to create mini edible works of art. Get creative with the arrangementโcircles, stripes, or random clusters all look fantastic!
Notes
- Chill the dough to ensure easier shaping and prevent spreading during baking.
- Use fresh, ripe fruit for the best flavor and vibrant color contrast.
- Keep frosting cool by storing it in the fridge before spreading to maintain its shape.
- Make cookies similar in size for even baking and consistent presentation.
- Pat fruit dry before topping to prevent sogginess and keep cookies crisp longer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg