Get ready to fall in love with Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza! This playful treat transforms classic sugar cookies into mini dessert pizzas, topped with a thick, tangy cream cheese frosting and an explosion of colorful fresh fruit. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want a cheerful way to sweeten your day, these cookies deliver a burst of summer in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Party on Every Plate: Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, looking as dazzling as it tastes—perfect for birthdays, brunch, or a pick-me-up treat.
- Versatile & Customizable: Personalize every cookie-pizza with your favorite fruits or adapt the frosting and base for any dietary needs.
- Easy-Make, Easy-Share: This recipe comes together with simple ingredients and is fun to make with kids or friends—assembly line style!
- Irresistible Flavor Combo: Buttery soft sugar cookies, tangy-sweet cream cheese, and juicy bursts of fruit make every bite lively and balanced.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Part of the charm of Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza is how simple yet magical these staple ingredients become together. Each one brings something essential—texture and sweetness from the cookie, tang and richness from the frosting, and the jewel-like pop of fresh fruit.
- Salted Butter (for cookies and frosting): Using salted butter keeps the cookie base flavorful and balances the sweetness in both cookie dough and cream cheese frosting.
- Granulated Sugar: This gives the sugar cookies their classic sweetness and tender bite.
- Egg: Adds structure and a little richness, helping the cookies hold their shape.
- Vanilla & Almond Extracts: Together, these add a delicate aroma and a hint of almond makes the flavor stand out.
- Baking Powder: Provides lift, so your cookies are soft and thick—perfect for loading up with toppings.
- All-Purpose Flour: For a sturdy yet tender cookie base—be sure to measure carefully for best texture.
- Cream Cheese: Room temperature for extra creamy, dreamy frosting that spreads beautifully over cooled cookies.
- Powdered Sugar: Essential for silky-smooth frosting without any grit.
- Fresh Fruit (berries, kiwi, banana, mandarin oranges, etc.): Add as much color and juiciness as you like—each fruit slice adds its own bright note.
Variations
Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza is endlessly adaptable! Feel free to get creative—swap fruits based on what’s in season, adjust the extracts for new flavor twists, or make it suit your family’s dietary needs.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to make your cookie base gluten-free and still deliciously chewy.
- Lemon or Orange Zest in the Frosting: Add the zest of a lemon or orange to your frosting for a sunny citrus twist that’s especially good with berries.
- Chocolaty Drizzle: Melt a handful of white or dark chocolate and drizzle over the fruit for a decadent finish.
- Berry-Only Party: Make a “red, white, and blue” version with just strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for holiday celebrations.
How to Make Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza
Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookie Base
Begin by creaming the softened salted butter and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture is light and fluffy—this is the foundation for soft, tender cookies! Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts, blending again to fully incorporate all that lovely flavor. Then, mix in the flour and baking powder gradually. The dough should be a little crumbly, but it will stick together when pressed—a sign you’re just right!
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Scoop out about three tablespoons of dough for each cookie (a large cookie scoop is perfect for this) and roll into smooth balls. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving some space to spread. Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each ball, creating the perfect “pizza crust.” Pop the tray into the fridge for five minutes—this little chill helps the cookies hold their shape in the oven. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just set but not browned. Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before moving to a rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting
In another bowl, beat together the room temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is thick, creamy, and lump-free. Give your bowl a scrape and a final mix to make sure everything is silky and ready for spreading.
Step 4: Decorate Your Cookie Pizzas
Once the cookies are completely cooled, generously frost each one with the cream cheese mixture. Now for the fun part: pile on your favorite fresh fruit! You can mix and match—like a rainbow mosaic—or create patterns for extra visual joy. Arrange the fruit just before serving so everything stays fresh and vibrant.
Pro Tips for Making Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza
- Chill for Shape: A short five-minute chill before baking keeps your cookie “pizzas” perfectly round and prevents spreading—a small step for bakery-worthy results.
- Room Temp Is Key: Always bring your butter and cream cheese to room temperature for smooth, easily spreadable frosting that’s free of pesky lumps.
- Pat Your Fruit Dry: For picture-perfect presentation and to keep the frosting from getting runny, gently pat fruit slices dry with a paper towel before adding them.
- Decorate Close to Serving: To keep everything fresh and vibrant, assemble your Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza as close to party time as possible.
How to Serve Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza
Garnishes
Add a sprinkling of lemon or lime zest for sparkle, or a handful of finely shredded coconut for a delightful tropical twist. If you really want to wow, a tiny mint leaf or edible flower on each Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza is an easy way to give bakery-style flair.
Side Dishes
Because these cookies are sweet and fruity, they pair beautifully with light sides—think fresh lemonade, a bubbly fruit punch, or even a cool fruit salad for extra refreshment. If serving at brunch, try alongside a platter of cheeses or an herbal iced tea.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza cookies on a tiered cake stand to show off all the gorgeous colors. Or, create a “pizza bar” with bowls of different fruits and let everyone decorate their own mini pizza! For parties, slice larger cookies “pizza-style” for sharing or package smaller cookies in cellophane for take-home treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store extra Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza cookies in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge. If stacking, place parchment between layers to keep the fruit and frosting pristine. These cookies stay fresh and flavorful for up to three days when chilled.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked, unfrosted sugar cookies for up to two months! Simply thaw and decorate with frosting and fruit just before serving. Freezing fully assembled “pizzas” isn’t recommended, as fruit can turn watery once defrosted.
Reheating
No need to reheat—these are served chilled for maximum freshness! If you want to revive chilled cookies, let them sit at room temp for 10-15 minutes before serving for the best softness and frosting texture. Avoid microwaving, as the fruit and frosting can separate.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought sugar cookie dough?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough is a quick shortcut—just be sure to follow the shape-and-chill step for that perfect “pizza” base. Homemade gives the best buttery flavor, but store-bought works in a pinch.
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What fruits work best for Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza?
Sturdy, brightly colored fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, blackberries, grapes, and mandarin orange segments all work beautifully. Avoid extra juicy fruits like watermelon, which can make the frosting watery.
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Can I make Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza ahead for a party?
Yes! Bake and frost the cookies a day ahead, but add fruit just before serving for maximum freshness and the prettiest presentation. You can also prep fruit slices a few hours in advance and store them well-covered in the fridge.
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Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?
You can! Use your favorite plant-based butter and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting. Make sure to taste and adjust the sweetness and flavor as needed, since non-dairy versions may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a treat that’s as joyful to make as it is to share, Fruity Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Pizza is the answer—from first bite to last crumb. Gather some friends, let the kids help decorate, and watch these sweet cookie “pizzas” disappear with smiles all around!
Print
Fresh Fruit Pizza Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Fruit Pizza Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional sugar cookies, topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting and an array of fresh fruits. Perfect for a sweet treat or special occasion!
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies:
- 1 cup salted butter, cut into cubes
- 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 (see notes below before measuring)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup salted butter, at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh fruit: berries, kiwi, banana, mandarin oranges, etc.
Instructions
- Make the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter and sugar, add eggs and extracts. Incorporate flour and baking powder into a dough. Form dough balls, flatten with a glass, refrigerate, then bake.
- Make the Frosting: Combine all frosting ingredients until smooth and thick.
- Assemble the Cookies: Frost cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting, then top with fresh fruit. Refrigerate before serving.
Notes
- Chill cookie dough for easier handling.
- Feel free to use a variety of fresh fruits for topping.
- Store cookies in the fridge due to the cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
