Name: Simple Fruit Pizza
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Assorted fresh fruits (such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, etc.); 1/4 cup apricot preserves; 2 tbsp water

This Simple Fruit Pizza is a delicious and easy dessert that is perfect for summer gatherings and parties. The cookie crust is soft and chewy, topped with a creamy and sweet cream cheese frosting, and garnished with a variety of fresh fruits. It's a colorful and refreshing treat that everyone will love. The best part is, you can customize it with your favorite fruits and get creative with the design. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and guaranteed to impress your guests.

Ingredients

1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Assorted fresh fruits (such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, etc.)
1/4 cup apricot preserves
2 tbsp water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll out the sugar cookie dough onto a greased 12-inch pizza pan, or a baking sheet, forming a large circular crust.
Bake the cookie crust in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled cookie crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
Rinse and pat dry the fresh fruits. Slice any larger fruits, like strawberries or kiwi, into thin slices.
Arrange the sliced fruits and any other small fruits, like blueberries or raspberries, on top of the cream cheese mixture, creating a colorful and eye-catching design.
In a small saucepan, heat the apricot preserves and water over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Brush the melted apricot preserves mixture over the fruits to give them a glossy finish and prevent them from drying out.
Refrigerate the fruit pizza for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together and the cream cheese to set.
Slice into wedges and serve chilled. Enjoy!

Interesting Facts

Fruit pizza is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1960s as a way to combine the sweetness of dessert with the healthiness of fruit.

This dessert is often served at summer picnics, barbecues, and potlucks due to its refreshing and vibrant appearance.

You can get creative with the design of your fruit pizza by arranging the fruits in patterns, such as a flag for Independence Day or a smiley face for a kid's birthday party.

The cookie crust can also be made from scratch using a traditional sugar cookie recipe if you prefer.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but the crust may become slightly softer.