Fruit Pizza

Yesterday, as we braved yet another afternoon of incessant rain, the troops were growing restless. One of the kids suggested we make a fruit pizza.  If you have ever eaten this treat, you know that the term "pizza" is a misnomer. This dessert consists of a sugar cookie "pizza crust," a sweetened cream cheese "pizza sauce," lots of beautiful fresh fruit, all topped off with a sweet glaze.

If you need a rainy day activity to do with your kiddos... Or perhaps you are a big "kid" with a sweet tooth, this is a fun and easy recipe that is just as delicious as it is pretty to serve!  For that matter, it would be great as individual cookies for a child's party or a shower.

Ingredients:

• 1 roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 1 8 oz package of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• Zest of one lemon
• Your choice of fresh seasonal fruit
• Strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, raspberries, blueberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp corn starch
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Step-by-Step:
Prepare sugar cookie "crust" as directed on package.  The parchment paper will keep it from sticking and make it easier to transfer off of the baking sheet to cool. Make sure you put a little flour on your hands as you press or roll out the cookie dough.

1 roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough

 Make the "pizza sauce" by mixing together the cream cheese, lemon zest, and powder sugar.

1 8 oz package of cream cheese

Zest of one lemon

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Mix to blend, then refrigerate until cold and firmed up again.

To Prepare the Glaze.
Mix together the orange juice, granulated sugar, corn starch, and a little vanilla.

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp corn starch

Just a bit of vanilla.  Maybe 1/8 to 1/4 tsp.  Sorry, I didn't measure.

Bring to a boil so thickener can work, then reduce heat and let the syrup reduce until thick and syrupy. :)

Assemble.
To the totally cool cookie "crust," add the cold sweetened cream cheese.

Arrange fruits as you desire.

Add the cooled glaze.

 Serve to little smiling faces!

I couldn't resist adding this photo.  My son saw me with the camera, so he grabbed my phone started taking photos with it.  They love getting in on "the action!"

So this masterpiece of color was created mostly by my kiddos!  Beautiful, isn't it?!

 You can see how lovely and shiny the glaze is on the fruit.

Okay, so it's not perfectly round.  Who cares?  What is important is the time we are spending together doing the activity, them learning about techniques and skills... and that it's yummy!

Enjoy!
Written Directions
Begin by making mixing together cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and lemon zest. I used a hand mixer for this. Put the mix in the refrigerator until needed.  Prepare the crust as indicated by package. For ease of cleanup and removal from pan, consider baking the cookie dough on parchment paper. While cookie is baking, make the glaze by bringing orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and corn starch to a boil, then allow to reduce until thickened and syrupy.  Cool in the refrigerator.  On a completely cool cookie crust, spread the cream cheese "sauce." Arrange fruit over the cream cheese. Brush cooled glaze over fruit.

Order the Menu Musings Cookbook!

Looking for more menu ideas?
Visit my Recipe Index for more great recipes with step-by-step photo directions! 

Click here to Subscribe to MenuMusings so you won't miss a thing!

Here are some more kid friendly bonus recipes for you:
Happy Hour Pizza Rolls

Baked Chicken Taquitos

Meatball Stuffed Buns

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

Ham Cups

Overnight Stuffed French Toast Roll Ups