perfect dessert
With Thanksgiving only a week away, a perfect dessert recipe is worth its weight in gold. The holidays are about spending time with our loved ones and it’s a big reason I love the winter season so much. If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing better than having all of your family together, but I’m not complaining about eating some amazing food, either. There’s basically nothing I dislike about the holidays, except the amount of guilt I feel the morning after a large meal. Unfortunately, calories never take a day off, but that doesn’t mean you have to make any huge sacrifices. Dessert is probably the best and worst thing to happen to someone with a constant sweet tooth, but luckily there’s an alternative to that 750 calorie slice of pie.
Fruit Pizza is a combination of fruit and a sugar cookie crust, with a cream cheese sauce layer in between. Not to say that this is a zero-calorie solution, but it’s definitely lighter. Here’s a recipe for a homemade sugar cookie crust and cream cheese topping, but feel free to make fruit substitutions!
Fruit Pizza
Sugar Cookie Crust:
1 & 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup blueberries
1 1/2 cup kiwi
1 1/2 cup raspberries
1 1/2 cup strawberries
1 1/2 cup mandarin oranges
Sugar Cookie Crust:
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter for 1 minute on medium speed. Once smooth, add the sugar and beat on medium speed until texture is fluffy and it’s light in color. Beat in egg and vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together. With the mixer on low, slowly combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients already in the bowl. Once the mixture is complete, cover the dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Dough must be chilled to avoid spillage in pan during baking!
Preheat oven to 350° F and grease a 12-inch pizza pan. Remove chilled dough and press dough onto the pizza pan in an even, flat circle. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Do not overbake to avoid a thick and crunchy crust!
Allow crust to cool completely before adding frosting. You can put your crust in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to speed up this process. While waiting, you can prepare your fruit (wash, cut, etc).
Topping:
In a medium bowl using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add sugar and vanilla extract and beat for 1 minute.
Spread a thick layer of frosting over the cooled crust & if ready to serve add fruit.
!Fruit Toppings
When decorating, have fun and use your creativity! Or you can do the following, from the top of the crust to the center:
Strawberries & Raspberries
Blueberries
Kiwi
Mandarin Oranges
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
And before your know it, you’re ready to cut into slices and serve!
Quick, easy, and delicious! I don’t have all the answers, but if you can cut a corner or two, it’s better than nothing, right? I’m not saying this is 200 calories, but it’s definitely a little healthier than the norm. This is my go-to dessert for almost any occasion. This healthier alternative is a perfect dessert if you’re counting your calories, but still want to feel like you’re still eating a dessert. What are some ways you try to eat healthy during the holidays? Leave your comments below!
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