Fruit Pizza and Icing

8-12 slices servings Prep: 20 m Cook: 15 m Total: 40 m Beginner
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Fruit Pizza and Icing
This is a cute dessert take on pizza with sugar cookie crust, sweet cream cheese icing, and fresh fruit glazed with orange juice. Makes a lovely centerpiece for your holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

8-12 slices servings
  • 1 roll of cookie dough
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • Various sliced fruits like strawberries, kiwi, banana, peaches, etc.
  • Fruit Fresh (a product that protects the fruit)
  • Glaze:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups orange juice
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven according to cookie dough package directions. Roll out the cookie dough on a round pizza pan and bake according to package directions until golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
  2. Mix the 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, then spread on top of the cooled baked cookie.
  3. Arrange your sliced fruit in a decorative pattern on top of the cream cheese layer and sprinkle with Fruit Fresh to keep the fruit from changing color.
  4. For the glaze: Combine the 2 cups of powdered sugar, orange juice and cornstarch in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour the warm glaze over the fruit. Allow to set and cool completely before slicing and serving.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my cream cheese layer lumpy?

A: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before mixing. Beat it well with the powdered sugar until completely smooth and creamy.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: You can bake the cookie crust and make the cream cheese layer a day ahead, but add the fruit and glaze the same day you plan to serve it to keep the fruit looking fresh and the crust from getting soggy.

Q: Why did my glaze turn out too thin?

A: Make sure to cook the glaze until it's visibly thickened and coats the back of a spoon. The cornstarch needs enough heat and stirring time to activate and thicken properly.

Tips and Techniques

Use a variety of colorful fruits for visual appeal - try arranging them in concentric circles or a pattern. If you can’t find Fruit Fresh, a light brushing of lemon juice on bananas and apples will prevent browning.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • cookie dough roll: homemade sugar cookie dough or pre-baked sugar cookie crust
  • Fruit Fresh: lemon juice
  • orange juice: pineapple juice or apple juice

Equipment Needed

  • Round pizza pan (12-14 inch)
  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer or whisk

Historical Context

Fruit pizzas became popular across the American South in the 1980s and 1990s as a creative way to showcase fresh fruit in an eye-catching dessert. They remain a favorite for graduation parties, baby showers, and holiday gatherings.