Fruit Pizza Cookies are sweet, soft cookie rounds topped with a creamy frosting and colorful fruits! They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat!
These vibrant treats always make my day brighter. I love picking out my favorite fruits to add—it’s like eating dessert and fruit salad at the same time! 🍓🍍
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your cookies. You can substitute it with gluten-free flour or almond flour if you need a gluten-free option. Just keep in mind that the texture might vary a bit.
Unsalted Butter: I love using unsalted butter for balancing sweetness. If you’re vegan or dairy-free, you can switch it out for coconut oil or a plant-based butter. Each option adds a different flavor to the cookies.
Cream Cheese: This is key for the frosting, giving it a delicious tang. If you prefer a lighter option, try Greek yogurt. It’s not as thick but gives a nice flavor. Vegan cream cheese works well too if you’re dairy-free.
Fresh Fruits: Use whatever fruits you enjoy! Strawberries and blueberries are favorites, but you can also try peaches or bananas. Just make sure fruits are fresh to keep everything vibrant and tasty.
How Can I Make the Perfect Cookie Texture?
Getting the right cookie texture is important for this recipe. You want them soft and chewy! Follow these steps:
- Use softened butter for easy creaming with sugar. This makes the cookies fluffy.
- Don’t overmix the dough! Mix until just combined so the cookies stay tender.
- Flatten the cookie dough balls slightly when placing them on the sheet. This helps them spread and bake evenly.
- Bake until the edges are lightly golden – they’ll continue to firm up as they cool!
Taking care with each of these steps will lead to delightful cookies that melt in your mouth.
How to Make Fruit Pizza Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Base:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Toppings:
- Assorted fresh fruits (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges)
- Optional: mint leaves for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This fun and colorful recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and around 12 minutes to bake. You’ll want to allow for cooling time, so overall plan for about 45 minutes to an hour. It’s worth the wait!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup easier later on.
2. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, mix together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or a wooden spoon to cream them until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until everything is well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps to ensure your cookies rise nicely and have a good texture.
4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined; avoid over-mixing as this can make your cookies tough.
5. Shape the Cookies:
Scoop out portions of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) and roll them into balls. Place these on the prepared baking sheet, then flatten them a bit to form cookie shapes.
6. Bake the Cookies:
Pop them in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are lightly golden. After baking, let them cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack.
7. Prepare the Frosting:
While the cookies are cooling, it’s time to whip up the frosting! In a bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
8. Frost the Cookies:
Once the cookies are cool, spread a generous layer of the cream cheese frosting on each cookie. Make them nice and pretty!
9. Add Fresh Fruits:
Top each frosted cookie with a variety of fresh fruits. Get creative and make them look colorful and inviting!
10. Garnish (Optional):
For an added touch, you can sprinkle some mint leaves on top. This gives a lovely fresh look and taste.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve these delightful fruit pizza cookies right away or keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy. Either way, they’re sure to be a hit!
Happy baking, and enjoy your colorful fruit pizza cookies! 🌈🍪🍓
Can I Substitute the Cream Cheese?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of cream cheese, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or mascarpone cheese for a similar creamy texture. If you’re looking for a lighter option, whipped coconut cream also works well and adds a lovely flavor!
How to Adjust for Allergies?
If you need to make this recipe gluten-free, you can use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Additionally, for a dairy-free version, replace the butter with a non-dairy alternative and use a dairy-free cream cheese or yogurt as your frosting.
Can I Make the Cookies Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! Prepare and bake the cookies, then let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can frost them just before serving for the freshest taste!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To maintain their freshness, it’s best to keep the cookies and frosting separate until you’re ready to enjoy them!
