Fruit Pizzas for Matt's Birthday Party

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It doesn't get better than this! For this "pizza" . . . I start with a crunchy sugar cookie crust . . . next a sweet layer of vanilla sugar cream cheese . . . add an artistic array of beautiful seasonal fruit, ripened to perfection . . . and finally, a sweet, tart orange glaze . . . and you've got Fruit Pizza!

I made this smaller version to leave with Matt for "after" the party.

I don't know a person alive who doesn't like a perfectly crunchy sugar cookie, made with all natural ingredients, like sweet creamy butter, pure vanilla, almond extract, powdered sugar for that "melt in your mouth" cookie! That in itself would satisfy, but add a layer of cream cheese, sweetened with more powdered sugar and more pure vanilla . . . Better still! Top all that with sun-kissed summer fruit, like red raspberries, homegrown peaches, blueberries, sweet seedless green grapes, plump red strawberries and seed popping kiwi . . . Now we're talking! Finish with an orange citrus glaze drizzled on, to shine up the fruit and keep all the fruit colors gorgeous . . . Now you have a show stopper!

This dessert isn't just a "Pretty Face", oh no! It is priceless as you see the surprised looks on your guests' faces, as they take their first bite! You will hear lots of WOWS! See lots of smiles! All will ask for seconds, and if they're not shy about it, thirds!

 

Let the artist in you go crazy . . .

I like to bake my Sugar Cookie Crust the day before.

FRUIT PIZZA

Sugar Cookie Crust:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sifted powder sugar, I use C & H Pure Cane Powderd Sugar

1/3 cup pure cane sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/2 cups unbleached flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Orange Sauce:

1/2 cup pure cane sugar

4 teaspoons corn starch

1/4 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel

1/4 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

1 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Filling:

2 8-ounce cream cheese, softened

1 cup sifted powdered sugar (confectioners cane sugar)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Fresh fruits of choice (about 7 cups total): sliced peaches, nectarines, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bananas, grapes, apples, mandarin oranges, red raspberries, blackberries . . . Whatever is in season will taste the best!

• Preheat oven to 325F. Lightly grease two 12-inch pizza pans.
• To prepare the crust: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, powdered sugar, and cane sugar until light and fluffy; scrape down the mixing bowl.
• Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract, beating well.
• Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together to incorporate.
• Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture a little at a time; blending thoroughly.
• Divide dough in half.
• With lightly floured hands, pat the dough into the prepared pans.
• Bake in the 325F oven for 12-15 minutes. Be sure to check at 12 minutes; you just want it lightly golden.
• Cool crusts on wire rack.
• To prepare the Orange Sauce: In a medium saucepan- combine sugar, and corn starch; whisk together.
• Add orange and lemon peel, orange and lemon juice.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thick; cook and stir for 2 more minutes.
• Cover and cool the sauce without stirring.
• Meanwhile, to prepare the filling: in a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until fluffy.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust (using an offset spatula will make this much easier).
• Decorate with fruit.
• Drizzle cooled glaze over the fruit; chill the pizzas until ready to serve.

TIP: Will went to a local pizza place to get free 12-inch pizza boxes to transport our pizzas. We were able to add ice packs and slip them into our zippered coolers.

TIP: If you only need 1 pizza at a time, wrap and seal extra crust in a moisture-proof wrap and freeze the extra crust for another time; then make only half the filling and orange sauce.

I actually made a double batch of cookie dough, to make an individual 8-inch Pan Pizza for Matt to enjoy after his Birthday Party! The left over cookie dough was frozen to make Sugar Cookies later on! Yes, the dough is that good!

With lightly floured hands; pat dough evenly over pizza pan.

Golden Sugar Cookie Crust.

Spreading sweetened cream cheese over cooled cookie crust, with an offset spatula.

Drizzling on Orange Glaze.

So, there you have it! Yes, there are a lot of steps, but all are easy. If you break it down, like I did, and make the crust the day before, it won't be too overwhelming for you. I don't know of another dessert I've ever made that received so many accolades! Matt called today and people are still talking about this dessert, 2 days later!

If I can make it . . . So can you! Here's to beautiful fruity desserts . . . Over at Julie's!!!

One finished . . . Two to go!

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, America's Best-loved Community Recipes. See My Store for more details.

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