Make all your gatherings a blast with fruit pizza! Part tart, part cookie, it’s the picture-perfect dessert for any season. From the fruity toppings to the sugary crust, it’s a treat for the senses.
It’s fun, festive, and refreshingly sweet.
For the 4th of July, birthday parties, backyard bashes, potlucks, or barbecues, it’s great for any occasion.
Kids love it, adults rave about it, and everyone will want a second slice. So it’s a good thing it also feeds a crowd.
It’s not just another fruit dessert. Fruit pizza is a celebration on a plate!
Fruit Pizza
There are two foods everyone loves: cookies and pizza. What happens when you put the two together? You get fruit pizza! It’s the ultimate dessert for fun. Plus, it’s so easy!
The store-bought sugar cookie crust is like a blank canvas ready for some pizzazz. Paint it with a fluffy frozen whipped topping and cream cheese frosting. Next, adorn it with a rainbow of seasonal summer fruits.
Kiwi, bananas, mandarin oranges, and grapes create a mosaic of flavors with an impressive presentation. But the magic doesn’t stop there!
Brush the top with a sweet citrus glaze to finish this masterpiece. All that’s left now is to chill, slice, and serve it.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re hosting a party or merely want to brighten someone’s day. Fruit pizza is a cheerful dessert everyone will adore.
Best Fruits for Fruit Pizza
When picking out fruit, go with what’s in season. This makes the pizza look festive and it’ll have the best flavor.
Juicier types of fruit are easier to eat than some of the harder, more crisp varieties. But you don’t want them to be too watery. Too high of a water content and the fruit turns mushy. So avoid things like watermelon and honeydew. Also, avoid frozen fruit. When it thaws, the texture will be more soggy and watery.
Another thing to consider is the dazzling display! Choose an assortment of your favorites to create a rainbow of color. Here are some of my top recommendations:
- Berries
- Grapes
- Pineapple
- Mangos
- Papaya
- Bananas
- Kiwi
- Mandarin oranges
- Cantaloupe
- Nectarines
- Plums
Ingredients
- Store-bought sugar cookie dough. It’s not pizza without the crust! Pre-made dough makes it as easy as pie.
- Cream cheese. The heart of the frosting. Tangy, creamy, and thick, cream cheese adds a delightful flavor and texture.
- Confectioner’s sugar. For making the frosting sweet and yummy.
- Frozen whipped topping. It makes the frosting so fluffy and airy.
- Kiwi, bananas, mandarin oranges, and grapes. Every pizza needs a topping, and these are the stars. Be sure to use fresh and not frozen fruit. It has a better texture.
- Sugar. A key component for the sweet finishing glaze.
- Orange juice. You can’t make an orange glaze without the oranges! Fresh or store-bought both work.
- Water. For thinning out the glaze.
- Lemon juice. A twist of lemon gives the glaze a bright flavor.
- Cornstarch. This is a key ingredient for thickening the glaze.
- Salt. Just a pinch to balance and enhance the flavors of the glaze.
How to Make Fruit Pizza
Making fruit pizza is easy. Just follow these steps:
1. Prepare the crust. Press the cookie dough evenly into a 14-inch pizza pan. Bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 or until golden brown. Let it cool.
2. Make the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the confectioner’s sugar. Gently mix in the whipped topping.
3. Whip up the glaze. In a saucepan, bring the orange juice, water, lemon juice, cornstarch, and salt to a boil. Stir it constantly for 2 minutes or until it’s nice and thick.
4. Prep the toppings. Drain the mandarin oranges. Slice the kiwi, bananas, and grapes into even-sized pieces.
5. Assemble and chill. Spread the frosting on the baked cookie crust. Next, decorate it with fruit. For the final touch, brush the top with the orange glaze. Chill it until you’re ready to serve.
Tips & Tricks
- If the dough is hard to spread, wet your hands.
- Make the crust from scratch with homemade sugar cookie dough.
- Turn it into a sheet pan dessert and cut it into squares.
- Eat it when it’s fresh! The fruit will turn soggy if it sits too long in the fridge.
- Prepare it ahead of time by making the crust and frosting the day before. The next day, make the glaze, then assemble.
- Be sure the crust is completely cool before decorating. Otherwise, the frosting will melt.
- Don’t skip the glaze! It helps to keep the bananas from browning.
- Cut down on the work and use store-bought frosting.
Decoration Ideas
Have fun with the toppings! Mix and match your fruit selection for a stunning presentation. You can add other toppings or switch up the frosting, too.
Here are some suggestions:
- Make it fitting for a holiday! Use red, white, and blue fruits for the Fourth of July. For St. Patty’s, go green with grapes, kiwi, and starfruit. You get the idea.
- Swap out the frosting for a healthier alternative like Greek yogurt.
- Sprinkle the pizza with shredded coconut flakes for a tropical twist.
- Add food coloring to the frosting for a burst of color.
- Try different frosting recipes or just use frozen whipped topping.
- Get creative with your patterns. Sort the fruit by color or arrange it to look like a flag. Use your imagination and have fun!
- Skip the glaze and drizzle honey on top.
- Make mini pizzas for individual servings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Want to make fruit pizza in advance? No problem. Prepare the cookie crust and the frosting the day before.
Be sure to wrap the crust tightly in plastic wrap. Also, transfer the frosting to an air-tight container to maintain freshness.
Keep both in the refrigerator until it’s time to assemble.
Avoid preparing the fruit or citrus glaze in advance. The texture can change resulting in a less-than-stellar fruit pizza.
If you have leftovers, place them in the fridge. Although, I don’t think there will be a slice left in sight!