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If you’re looking for a fun and delicious treat that perfectly balances the freshness of fruit with the comforting sweetness of cookies, you’ve got to try this Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe. These delightful cookie “pizzas” are bursting with vibrant colors, creamy frosting, and juicy fruits that make each bite feel like a mini celebration. They’re a perfect way to wow guests or simply indulge in a creative, refreshing dessert that feels both homey and special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtful ingredients, each carefully chosen to contribute to the perfect texture, flavor, and visual appeal. From buttery cookie dough to luscious cream cheese frosting and an array of bright, fresh fruit, these components come together to create something truly irresistible.
- Salted butter: Adding richness and helping create a tender, golden cookie base.
- Granulated sugar: For sweetness and just a little crunch in the dough.
- Whole egg: Binding the dough and adding moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to both dough and frosting.
- Almond extract: A subtle hint of nutty flavor that elevates the cookies.
- Baking powder: Provides lift so cookies bake up light and fluffy.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for the cookie dough’s structure.
- Cream cheese: Gives the frosting a tangy creaminess that pairs beautifully with fruit.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect spreadable consistency.
- Fresh fruit: Choose berries, kiwi, banana, mandarin oranges, or your favorites for vibrant topping color and juicy sweetness.
How to Make Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cookie Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cream together the cold, cubed salted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy to create a buttery base. Incorporate the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts for a flavorful touch. Next, gently fold in the baking powder and all-purpose flour to form a soft dough. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten each one gently with a glass for that classic cookie pizza shape. Refrigerate the flattened dough to help maintain its form during baking, then bake for about 10 minutes until slightly golden around the edges.
Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cookies cool, mix together room temperature salted butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth, thick, and spreadable. This luscious frosting adds the perfect creamy layer that contrasts with the crisp cookies and juicy fruit toppings, making each bite utterly delightful.
Step 3: Assemble the Fruit Pizza Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cool, generously frost each one with the cream cheese mixture. Then comes the fun part: artfully arrange fresh fruit on top. The medley of colors and flavors from kiwis, berries, mandarin slices, or even bananas makes every cookie feel like a colorful work of edible art. Chill the assembled cookies in the fridge before serving to let the frosting set and flavors meld.
How to Serve Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle a little finely chopped mint or a dusting of powdered sugar over the fruit before serving. Adding edible flowers is another charming way to enhance the visual appeal and make your cookies pop on the table.
Side Dishes
This Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe pairs wonderfully with light beverages like iced herbal tea or a sparkling lemonade for a refreshing afternoon treat. For parties, consider serving alongside a bowl of fresh berries or a simple fruit salad to complement the cookie pizzas.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies on a large wooden board arranged in a mosaic pattern or stack them on a tiered dessert stand for maximum wow factor. You can even package them individually in clear bags tied with a ribbon for sweet favors that guests will love taking home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve got leftovers, store your fruit pizza cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting needs to stay cool, and the fruit will remain fresh for up to 3 days. Just be aware the cookie base might soften a bit but will still be delicious.
Freezing
Freezing these cookies is a bit tricky because of the fresh fruit topping, which doesn’t freeze well. You can freeze just the baked cookies without frosting for up to 1 month, tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn. When ready, thaw completely and then add frosting and fresh fruit.
Reheating
Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe tastes best chilled, so no reheating is required. If you prefer the cookies warm, try reheating the plain, unfrosted cookies for 10-15 seconds in the microwave and then add frosting and fruit.
FAQs
Can I use other types of fruit besides those listed?
Absolutely! One of the best things about the Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe is its versatility. You can use any firm, fresh fruit like mango, pineapple, or grapes. Just be sure the fruit isn’t too watery to avoid soggy cookies.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To veganize this recipe, substitute the butter with vegan margarine, use a flax egg or other egg replacer, and swap cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative. The texture might vary slightly but it can still be delicious!
How do I prevent the fruit from making the cookies soggy?
Refrigerate the assembled cookies right before serving rather than letting them sit out. Also, pat dry fruit like berries or kiwi and slice fruits thinly to minimize excess moisture.
Can I prepare these cookies for a party?
Yes, these make fantastic party treats! Bake and frost the cookies ahead of time, but add the fresh fruit on the day of the event to keep them looking fresh and vibrant.
What is the best way to flatten the cookie dough balls?
Using a clean glass dipped briefly in sugar or flour to press down the dough balls works great. This method helps achieve an even thickness and a pretty shape without sticking.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend making the Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe enough—these treats bring together the best of fresh fruit, creamy frosting, and flavorful cookies in a way that’s both beautiful and delicious. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just a little self-indulgence, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Grab your ingredients and have fun creating your own colorful cookie pizzas!
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Print
Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightful Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies that combine a soft, buttery cookie base with creamy cream cheese frosting and a colorful variety of fresh fruits. These cookies are perfect for parties, celebrations, or a fruity sweet treat any time of the year.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 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
Frosting
- 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- Fresh fruit such as berries, kiwi, banana, mandarin oranges, etc.
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a mixing bowl, cream together the cubed butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the whole egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until fully combined. Gradually add the baking powder and all-purpose flour, incorporating them into the mixture to form a smooth dough.
- Shape and bake the cookies: Form the dough into balls roughly the size of a tablespoon. Flatten each dough ball using a glass to create cookie discs. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate the shaped cookies for about 15 minutes to firm up, then bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the frosting: In a clean bowl, beat together the room temperature butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is thick and spreadable.
- Assemble the fruit pizza cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, spread an even layer of the cream cheese frosting on top of each cookie. Decorate with a beautiful assortment of fresh fruit such as berries, kiwi slices, banana rounds, and mandarin orange segments. Chill the finished cookies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for the smoothest frosting texture.
- When measuring flour, spoon it lightly into the cup and level it off to prevent dense cookies.
- Refrigerating dough discs before baking helps maintain shape and results in a better texture.
- Fresh fruit toppings can be varied based on seasonality and preference.
- Store the cookies refrigerated in an airtight container to keep the frosting fresh.
