Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Fruit Pizza Cookies are soft sugar cookies topped with creamy frosting and a colorful assortment of fresh fruit. They combine the best of a classic sugar cookie with the vibrant flavors of a fruit pizza, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (see notes)
• 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature (for frosting)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 pound powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• Fresh fruit for topping (berries, kiwi, banana, mandarin oranges, etc.)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a half sheet pan or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, stir together the cubed butter and granulated sugar until well mixed. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, then stir again to combine.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. It may be crumbly, but when squeezed, it should hold its shape in a ball.
4. Step 4: Scoop and roll the dough into 3-tablespoon balls using a large cookie scoop. Press each ball with a glass to flatten slightly. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to help them hold their shape.
5. Step 5: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. After baking, cool the cookies on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Step 6: For the frosting, place the room temperature butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a large bowl. Beat with a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is thick, smooth, and fully combined.
7. Step 7: Spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on each cooled cookie. Top with your choice of fresh fruit to create a colorful, delicious finish.
8. Step 8: Store the assembled cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and cover gently with plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Tips & Variations

• Whisk the flour thoroughly before measuring, then spoon it into your measuring cup and level the top for best results.
• Use a variety of fresh fruit for the topping to add both color and flavor variety.
• For a citrus twist, add a little lemon zest to the frosting.
• If cream cheese is too soft, chill it slightly before mixing to get a thicker frosting consistency.

Storage

Store the assembled fruit pizza cookies in the refrigerator, covered loosely with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days. To enjoy, remove from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. The cookies and frosting can also be stored separately for longer freshness; keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and the frosting refrigerated.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of fruit for topping?

Yes, feel free to use any fresh fruit you like or have on hand. Berries, kiwi, banana, and mandarin oranges work well, but you can also try mango, peaches, or grapes for different flavors and colors.

Can I make the cookies gluten-free?

To make gluten-free fruit pizza cookies, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help with texture and structure.

Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 56 reviews

Delightfully soft sugar cookies topped with sweet cream cheese frosting and a vibrant assortment of fresh fruits, these Fruit Pizza Cookies are a perfect, colorful dessert for any occasion.

• Author: Stella
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 18 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup salted butter, cut into cubes
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups all purpose flour (whisked and spooned into measuring cup, leveled)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 pound powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

• Fresh fruit: berries, kiwi, banana, mandarin oranges, or other desired fruits

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a half sheet pan or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, stir together the cubed butter and granulated sugar until well blended. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and mix again until incorporated. Slowly mix in the baking powder and flour until the dough forms. It may appear crumbly, but when squeezed it should hold together in a ball.
3. Shape and Chill Cookies: Scoop out 3-tablespoon dough balls using a large cookie scoop. Roll into balls and press gently with a glass to flatten. Refrigerate the dough balls for 5 minutes to help them keep their shape while baking.
4. Bake Cookies: Place the chilled cookie dough on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Once baked, cool the cookies on the hot sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, combine room-temperature butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend until smooth, thick, and creamy. Scrape the bowl sides and mix briefly again to ensure even consistency.
6. Assemble the Fruit Pizza Cookies: Generously frost each cooled cookie with the cream cheese frosting. Then decorate the frosted cookies with an assortment of fresh fruits such as berries, kiwi, banana slices, or mandarin oranges as desired.
7. Storage: Place assembled cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, cover gently with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

• Measuring flour accurately is crucial: whisk the flour well before spooning it into your measuring cup and level it to ensure the right dough texture.
• Pressing the dough balls with a glass before chilling helps the cookies spread evenly when baking.
• Refrigerating the dough slightly before baking helps maintain their shape and texture.
• Use a variety of fresh fruits for color and flavor contrast, choosing those that hold their shape well on top of the frosting.

Keywords: Fruit pizza, fruit pizza cookies, sugar cookies