Holiday Dessert Pizza
A festive and colorful holiday dessert pizza featuring a cookie crust topped with cream cheese and vibrant fruit, perfect for sharing at celebrations and gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Press the cookie dough onto a 14-inch pizza pan.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned and puffed.
- Cool completely.
- Beat the cream cheese, sugar, orange peel, and vanilla until blended.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled cookie crust.
- Arrange the drained Mandarin orange segments, crushed pineapple, and sliced kiwifruit over the cream cheese layer.
- Brush the fruit with jam before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using low-fat cream cheese and a sugar substitute. You can also experiment with other fruits like strawberries or blueberries. If you want a more vibrant flavor, try incorporating a splash of lemon juice into the cream cheese mixture. Make sure the cookie crust is fully cooled before spreading the cream cheese layer to prevent it from melting.
Serving Suggestions
This dessert pizza is perfect for holiday gatherings and can be paired with a light whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence. It also complements well with a refreshing drink like iced tea or a sparkling fruit punch. Consider serving it alongside lighter dishes such as a Lemon Blueberry Salad to balance the sweetness.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover dessert pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To maintain the freshness of the toppings, it's best to keep the fruit separate if you plan to store it for more than a day. Enjoy it cold, as reheating may affect the texture of the cookie crust.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Dessert Pizza contains roughly 178 calories, with 1g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade cookie dough instead of refrigerated?
Absolutely! Homemade cookie dough can add a personal touch and enhance the flavor. Just ensure it's similar in consistency to the refrigerated type, so it bakes up nicely on the pizza pan.
What can I substitute for the Mandarin oranges?
If you can't find Mandarin oranges, you can use fresh orange segments or even canned peaches as a substitute. Just make sure to drain them well to avoid excess moisture on the pizza.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cookie crust and cream cheese mixture a day in advance. Just assemble the pizza and add the fruit topping on the day you plan to serve it for the best presentation and flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).