Fruit pizza cookies are a fun and tasty treat! These are soft sugar cookies topped with a creamy frosting and colorful fruits. They look as good as they taste!
I love making these for gatherings because they always get smiles. Plus, they’re so easy to personalize with your favorite fruits. Who could resist a cookie that’s also a dessert pizza? 🍕🍓
Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: This adds richness to the cookie. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with margarine or coconut oil, but it might change the flavor slightly. I always stick with butter for the best taste!
Granulated Sugar: It helps in creating a nice, tender cookie. If you’re looking to cut back on sugar, consider using coconut sugar or a sugar alternative like monk fruit sweetener, but note that it might affect the texture a bit.
Egg: The egg binds everything together. For a vegan option, you can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) or applesauce for a lighter cookie.
All-Purpose Flour: This is essential for the cookie’s structure. If you want a gluten-free option, almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend can work, but you may need to adjust the amounts.
Cream Cheese: It provides the delightful tang in the frosting. If you’re lactose intolerant, consider using a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, which works surprisingly well!
How Can I Shape Perfect Cookie Disks?
Shaping your cookie disks just right will ensure they bake evenly. Here’s how to do it:
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies. This helps with consistent baking.
- Roll the dough into balls, then gently flatten them with your palm to achieve that disk shape.
- Leave enough space between them on the baking sheet—about 2 inches—so they have room to spread.
Following this will give you delicious, uniform cookies that look great when topped with fruit!
How Do I Assemble the Toppings?
Assembling the fruit toppings is where the fun begins! Here’s a simple guide:
- Wait until your cookies are completely cool to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Spread a generous layer of your cream cheese frosting on each cookie, but don’t put too much! Just enough to create a nice base for the fruit.
- Start with the strawberries, arranging them in a circle. Then, fill in the gaps with blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges. Mix colors and shapes for a vibrant look!
Mint leaves can be added last for a pop of color and freshness! This makes your cookies not only tasty but also visually appealing.
Delicious Fruit Pizza Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Base:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Fruit Topping:
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup kiwi, diced
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments
- Additional mint leaves for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes of preparation time, plus an additional 10-12 minutes for baking. After that, just a few minutes to prepare the frosting and assemble the cookies. You can enjoy your Fruit Pizza Cookies in about an hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help the cookies bake evenly and avoid sticking.
2. Make the Cookie Base:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Using a mixer, cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating well until everything is combined.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix; it’s okay if there are a few lumps!
4. Shape the Cookies:
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the dough into small disks about 2-3 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
5. Bake the Cookies:
Pop the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. When they are done, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth. Then, add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is creamy and well combined—this is where the magic happens!
7. Assemble the Cookies:
Once your cookies are completely cool, take a generous scoop of the cream cheese frosting and spread it evenly on top of each cookie. Make sure to cover them well; this frosting is delicious!
8. Top with Fresh Fruit:
Now comes the fun part! Arrange the sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, and mandarin orange segments artfully on top of the frosted cookies. Feel free to get creative with your fruit arrangements!
9. Garnish and Serve:
If you like, add some mint leaves on top for a fresh touch. You can serve the cookies immediately or refrigerate them until you’re ready to enjoy. Bon appétit!
Can I Substitute the Cream Cheese for Something Else?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. Just make sure to adjust the sweetness by adding a little more powdered sugar, as Greek yogurt tends to be more tangy.
How to Store Leftover Fruit Pizza Cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the cookies are topped with fresh fruit, it’s best to eat them within a day for optimal freshness, but they can still be delicious for a few days when stored properly!
Can I Use Different Fruits for Topping?
Yes! Feel free to mix and match fresh fruits based on your preferences or seasonal availability. Other great options include peaches, bananas, or pineapple. Just make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for easy eating!
Can I Make the Cookie Base Ahead of Time?
Definitely! You can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to a month. Just thaw it in the fridge before baking. This makes it super convenient for quick assembly whenever you want to bake!
