Fruit Pizza Cookies

In the world of delightful desserts, combining elements from different classic sweets often results in a unique and mouthwatering treat. This is especially true for the recipe we’re exploring today—Fruit Pizza Cookies. These cookies blend the soft, chewy texture of sugar cookies with the creamy richness of cream cheese frosting, topped with the refreshing zest of fresh fruit. The result? A dessert that’s not only beautiful to look at but also a joy to eat.

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies:

• 1 cup salted butter, cubed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 pound powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

• Fresh fruit (such as berries, kiwi slices, banana slices, and mandarin orange segments)

Directions

Step 1: Make the Cookies

1. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Either lightly grease a half sheet pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Basics: In a large bowl, cream together the cubed butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Beat in the egg followed by the vanilla and almond extracts.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the butter mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Shape and Chill: Roll the dough into balls, using about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass. Chill the shaped dough on your baking sheet for 5 minutes.
5. Bake: Place the cookies in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until just set and lightly golden. Allow to cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Frosting

1. Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine room temperature butter and cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Use a mixer to beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Cookies

1. Frost and Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on each one. Top with your choice of fresh fruit, arranging the slices to create a colorful, appetizing pattern.

Tips for Perfect Fruit Pizza Cookies

• Fruit Selection: Choose fruits that not only complement each other in flavor but also add vibrant color to your cookies. Acidic fruits like kiwi or mandarin can balance the sweetness of the frosting.
• Serving: These cookies are best served the day they are made to ensure the fruit is fresh and the cookies remain crisp.
• Storage: If you need to store them, keep in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent the cookies from becoming soggy.

Nutritional Information

Each cookie approximately contains:

• Calories: 397 kcal

Total Preparation Time: 40 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 18 cookies

These Fruit Pizza Cookies offer a delightful twist on traditional desserts, perfect for any occasion where you want to impress with both flavor and presentation. Whether it’s a casual family gathering or a more formal event, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Enjoy the process of making them as much as your guests will enjoy eating them!