How to Make the Ultimate Fruit Pizza (with Cream Cheese Frosting)

Looking for a showstopping dessert that’s as easy to make as it is beautiful? Enter the fruit pizza — a delicious combination of a soft sugar cookie crust, tangy cream cheese frosting, and vibrant, juicy fruit. This dessert is a summer favorite and a crowd-pleaser at birthday parties, BBQs, potlucks, or just a fun weekend baking project with the kids.

This guide takes inspiration from Cooking Classy’s beloved recipe and walks you through everything from the ideal ingredients to expert decoration tips. You’ll also get useful storage advice and clever variations to suit different dietary needs.

Fruit pizza isn’t just about flavor — it’s also packed with the natural goodness of fresh fruits. To make your fruit toppings both delicious and nutritious, learn more about the nutritional benefits of fresh fruit. Meanwhile, when it comes to baking a flawless crust, knowing how to properly measure flour is critical to achieving that perfect soft, chewy texture.

What is Fruit Pizza?

Fruit pizza is a dessert that features a large sugar cookie as the crust, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and layered with fresh, colorful fruits. It’s finished with a glaze — often apricot jam — to enhance the presentation and keep the fruit fresh. Think of it as a fusion of a fruit tart and a cookie cake.

Why You’ll Love This Dessert

• Visually stunning — great for parties and Instagram-worthy displays
• Easy to customize with seasonal fruit or shapes for holidays
• Simple to make with pantry staples and fresh produce
• Family-friendly and perfect for kids to help decorate

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make a classic fruit pizza from scratch:

For the Sugar Cookie Crust:

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached preferred)
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 12 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 6 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Fruit Topping:

• About 5 cups of assorted fresh fruit
• ¼ cup apricot preserves
• 1 tbsp water (to thin the glaze if needed)

Best Fruits for Topping

The beauty of fruit pizza lies in the endless decorating possibilities. Choose fruits that are sweet, bright, and hold their shape well.

Top recommended fruits:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Kiwi
• Raspberries
• Grapes
• Mango or peaches
• Pineapple (great for cutting into shapes)
• Mandarin oranges (canned and well-drained)

Avoid:

• Bananas or apples — they brown quickly and can look unappetizing

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Crust

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Grease a 12-inch round pizza pan and line with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Spread the dough evenly on the pan using greased hands.
• Bake for 11–13 minutes. Let cool completely before adding toppings.

2. Make the Frosting

• In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy.

3. Decorate with Fruit

• Spread the frosting over the cooled crust.
• Arrange fruit in patterns — circles, rainbows, spirals, or holiday themes.

4. Add the Glaze

• Warm apricot preserves with a splash of water and brush over the fruit for shine and freshness.

Creative Decorating Ideas

• Spiral rainbow with alternating fruit colors
• Holiday shapes like a star for July 4th or egg shape for Easter
• Alphabet initials or numbers for birthdays
• Layered rows for a more structured, modern design

Make-Ahead Tips

• The cookie crust and frosting can be made a day ahead.
• Assemble with fruit and glaze on the day of serving for the freshest look and texture.
• For busy days, use store-bought sugar cookie dough to save time.

Storage Tips

• Keep in the refrigerator once topped.
• Best served within 24 hours of assembly.
• Avoid freezing — the fruit and frosting won’t hold up well.

To keep your fruits fresh for decorating, follow these tips on storing fresh fruit for desserts.

Healthy Variations

Looking to adapt this recipe for specific diets? Try these options:

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix
• Dairy-Free: Swap in vegan cream cheese and dairy-free butter
• Low-Sugar: Use monk fruit or stevia in the crust and frosting
• Vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg and use plant-based substitutes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Adding fruit while the crust is still warm (melts the frosting)
• Not draining fruit properly — leads to soggy crust
• Using too much glaze, which can overpower the fruit

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make fruit pizza the night before?
Yes — prepare the crust and frosting in advance. Add the fruit and glaze just before serving for best texture.

What fruits are best for fruit pizza?
Stick with vibrant, firm fruits like strawberries, kiwi, and blueberries.

How do I keep fruit from making the crust soggy?
Apply a thin glaze and avoid watery fruits like watermelon.

Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
Absolutely. Brands like Pillsbury sugar cookie dough work well for quick prep.

What can I use instead of apricot jam for glaze?
Try honey mixed with water or homemade citrus glaze.

Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~450
• Fat: 22g
• Sugar: 36g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 3g

Final Thoughts

Fruit pizza with cream cheese frosting is one of those desserts that’s endlessly versatile, visually stunning, and irresistibly tasty. Whether you’re making it for a summer potluck or a weekend baking project with kids, this treat delivers both in presentation and flavor.

Want even more variations? Try mini fruit pizzas on sugar cookies or a chocolate brownie base for an extra indulgent twist. Either way, it’s a guaranteed win for your dessert table.

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