Fruit Pizza

In high school I worked at Hy-Vee (a local grocery store) in the produce department. Every Saturday and Sunday I would make dozens of vegetable and fruit pizzas. It was fun getting to make pretty designs using the fruit. I probably made hundreds of each when I was working there, and it has been since high school (nine years ago) since I’ve made one. It seems so silly since it is so easy to make and easily adapt to whatever fruit is in season.

A simple sugar cookie dough, cream cheese frosting, and top with whatever fruit your family likes would make a beautiful fruit pizza for a brunch, picnic, or a barbecue gathering. My two little girls who love to help in the kitchen enjoyed rinsing the berries and pressing the cookie dough into the pan. They enjoy helping any way they can.

Check out your farmers markets for fresh local berries.

FRUIT PIZZA

SUGAR COOKIE DOUGH:
from Pinch My Salt

2 1/2 C. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar
1 C. butter, softened
1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. almond extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In separate bowl mix together flour, soda, and cream of tartar. Set aside. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Slowly and in batches add the flour mixture making sure it is completely mixed together.  Press into a jelly roll pan (17 x 14) making sure to come up the sides. Bake for 15 minutes or until crust looks golden. Cool.

CREAM CHEESE BASE:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Cream together all ingredients. Spread over cooled crust.

Top with your favorite fruits. Some fruit topping ideas: kiwi, grapes, berries, orange segments or mandarin oranges, apple slices, bananas, pineapple, peaches, nectarines, plums, shredded coconut, the possibilities are endless. If you want to use apples or bananas give them a squeeze of lime juice to help stop them from browning so quickly. Have fun and be creative! ENJOY!