Fruit Pizza Cookies are a colorful treat that combines a soft cookie base with a sweet cream cheese topping and fresh fruit. They look as good as they taste!
Making these cookies is a blast! I love letting my kids pick their favorite fruits to decorate. You can never go wrong with sprinkles on top—extra fun, always! 🍓🍌
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your cookie dough. You can substitute it with a gluten-free flour blend if you’re avoiding gluten. I’ve had great success with almond flour for a nutty flavor and texture.
Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter helps control the saltiness of your cookies. If you’re in a pinch, you can use margarine or coconut oil. Just note that coconut oil will add a slight coconut flavor!
Cream Cheese: This is essential for the frosting’s tangy taste. If you prefer a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of cream cheese for a healthier frosting or even a dairy-free cream cheese substitute.
Fruits: Feel free to use any fresh, seasonal fruits. I love adding peaches and bananas for extra sweetness, but stay away from watery fruits like watermelon—they can make the cookies soggy!
How Can I Make Sure My Cookies Turn Out Perfectly Flat?
A key technique to get those perfect cookie shapes is the flattening step. It ensures even baking and helps the cookies maintain a uniform shape. Here’s how to do it:
- After rolling the dough into balls, gently flatten them using the bottom of a glass. Make sure not to squish them too thin—about half an inch high works well.
- Keep an eye on the bake time; cookies can over-bake quickly. Look for lightly golden edges to know they’re done.
How to Make Fruit Pizza Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Base:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Topping:
- Assorted fresh fruits (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Fruit Pizza Cookies recipe will take about 20 minutes to prepare, plus an additional 10-12 minutes for baking. Allow some time for cooling, and then you’re ready to enjoy this fun, fruity treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First things first, set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat. While it’s warming up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until everything is well mixed.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix this dry mix into the wet ingredients until a dough starts to form.
4. Shape and Bake the Cookies:
Divide the dough into small balls about 1.5 inches across. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space in between. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your palm to create cookie shapes. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just lightly golden. Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
While the cookies are cooling, grab a bowl and mix together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until it’s smooth and creamy. This frosting is going to be so good!
6. Frost and Decorate the Cookies:
Once the cookies have completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each one. Now for the fun part—top each frosted cookie with your beautiful assortment of fresh fruits. Get creative with the arrangement!
7. Add the Finishing Touch:
If you like, garnish your cookie pizzas with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness. It’s optional, but it sure makes them look fancy!
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Now it’s time to enjoy your delicious Fruit Pizza Cookies! Serve them right away, or store them in the refrigerator until it’s time to dig in. Happy eating!
Can I Use a Different Type of Flour for This Recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option. However, the texture might be a little denser. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour should work well too, just ensure it contains xanthan gum for proper structure.
What Fruits Work Best for Topping?
You can use any fresh fruits you like! Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges are all great choices. Just make sure to cut larger fruits into smaller pieces for even distribution and to fit nicely on the cookies!
How Do I Store Leftover Fruit Pizza Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the cookies might become a little soft due to the moisture from the fruit. If you prefer a firmer cookie, you can store the cookies and fruit separately, frosting them just before serving.
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Alternatively, you can bake the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container, frosting and topping with fruit just before serving to keep the freshness intact!
