Summer Fruit Pizza

Dessert for this past weekend was Fruit Pizza that everyone, kids and adults, just loved.  I’ve seen lots of variations on websites and in magazines, and this fit the bill for an easy and “healthy-ish” summer dessert.  This is definitely going on our go-to list for favorite desserts.  Noone has to know that it’s good for them. ;-)

NO I didn’t take any pictures. I just forgot!  Again!

Fruit Pizza

 Prep time:  10 min.  Cook time: about 15 min.  Ready in: about 35 min.

Ingredients

• 1 roll sugar cookie dough
• 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese (use 1/3 less fat or fat free if desired)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 4 cups assorted fruit, sliced or chopped (see below)
• ¼ cup preserves or jelly, thinned with a little water (see below)

Directions

1. Remove the sugar cookie dough from its packaging and spread out using your hands onto a round cookie sheet or pizza pan, stopping about ½” from the edge.  The cookie will grow to the edge of the pan as it cooks. 
2. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.  Rotate the pan and bake for another 4-5 minutes, watching it carefully, so it gets just golden brown.  Allow to cool. 
3. If you have a large enough platter, invert the cooled cookie onto the platter and continue with the next step.  (I left mine right on the pizza pan.)
4. Combine the cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl with a hand mixer or wooden spoon until completely mixed.  Spread all over the cookie.
5. Top with fruit.   Using a pastry brush, brush the preserves or jelly over all of the fruit.
6. Cut with a sharp knife or pizza cutter and serve.

Makes 8-12 servings, depending on cut size.

My version: I used sliced strawberries and 3 kiwis, a pound of halved grapes, a cubed mango, a can of mandarin oranges drained, and about a cup of blueberries. I arranged the fruit in a circular pattern.  I used some tangerine marmalade but apricot preserves or apple jelly would be great too.

Variation:  This would be good made in muffin tins, as well. Place a small ball of cookie dough in each lined muffin tin and when cool, top with a spoonful of cream cheese and some fruit.  I think these would be nice for a potluck or party.  You can also make this in a rectangular pan, and cut it into squares for serving.