Summer Dessert Pizza
A vibrant summer dessert pizza featuring fresh fruit, creamy topping, and a sweet crust, perfect for sharing at picnics, parties, or casual gatherings with fruity, creamy flavors.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups flour ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened ⓘ
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup whipped topping ⓘ
- 1 firm banana, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries ⓘ
- 1 can (8 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained ⓘ
- 2 kiwi fruit, peeled and thinly sliced ⓘ
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
- Beat in egg and vanilla and lemon extracts.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture.
- Beat well.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
- Press dough into a greased 12-inch or 14-inch pizza pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth.
- Add whipped topping and mix well.
- Spread over cooled crust.
- Arrange sliced banana, strawberries, mandarin oranges, and kiwi on top of the cream cheese layer.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter crust, consider substituting half the butter with applesauce or using a gluten-free flour blend. If you want to add more flavor, try incorporating a teaspoon of almond extract into the cream cheese mixture. Fresh fruits can be swapped based on availability; blueberries or raspberries can also work well. Make sure to chill the crust thoroughly for easier slicing.
Serving Suggestions
This dessert pizza is perfect for summer gatherings and pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a refreshing glass of lemonade. For a complete meal, serve alongside a light salad, such as a Fluffy Salad, to balance the sweetness. It’s a delightful way to end a barbecue or picnic.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the freshness of the fruits, it's best to add them just before serving. If you need to reheat the pizza, do so gently in a low-temperature oven for about 5-10 minutes, but it’s best enjoyed cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Summer Dessert Pizza contains roughly 661 calories, with 2g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 958mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
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 frozen fruit instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen fruit, but make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture on the pizza. Fresh fruits provide the best texture and flavor, but frozen can be a convenient substitute, especially if fresh options aren't available.
How can I make this dessert pizza healthier?
To make this dessert pizza healthier, you can use less sugar in the crust and cream cheese mixture. Opt for low-fat cream cheese and whipped topping. Adding more fruits will also enhance the nutritional value, and using a whole wheat flour can increase fiber content.
Can I prepare the crust in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the crust a day ahead, bake it, and store it covered at room temperature. Just remember to cool it completely before storing. This way, you can quickly add the cream cheese layer and fruits right before serving.
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).