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Looking for a delightful and colorful treat to make with your kids this summer? Fruit Pizza Cookies are the perfect answer! These cookies combine the sweetness of sugar cookies with the tangy creaminess of cream cheese frosting, topped with a rainbow of fresh fruit. Not only are they delicious, but they also offer a great opportunity to get creative in the kitchen with your little ones. 

Let’s dive into this simple and fun recipe!

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies:

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 tablespoons milk

Note: You can also use a premade sugar cookie mix here! 

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Toppings:

A variety of fresh fruits, such as:

  •   Strawberries, sliced
  •   Blueberries
  •   Kiwi, peeled and sliced
  •   Pineapple, diced
  •   Grapes, halved
  •   Mandarin oranges, drained if using canned

Instructions

Making the Sugar Cookies

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is perfect for kids to help with – they love using the mixer!

4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients and milk, mixing until the dough forms.

5. Shape the Cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheets. Use the bottom of a glass to slightly flatten each ball. Kids can have fun rolling the dough and pressing the cookies.

6. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Note: Using a premade dough? Simply make according to the package directions and then go on to making the cream cheese frosting!

Preparing the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Cream the Ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.

2. Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on each one. This step is where your kids can get creative – let them spread the frosting with a spatula or even a spoon.

Note: We do recommend homemade frosting here. If you have never made homemade cream cheese frosting, then you are in for a treat! It is so much better homemade and it is very easy to make. 

Adding the Fruit Toppings

1. Prepare the Fruit: Wash and cut the fruit into small, bite-sized pieces. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about different fruits and their benefits.

2. Decorate: Let your kids go wild decorating the frosted cookies with the fruit pieces. They can create patterns, faces, or just a beautiful mix of colors. This step not only makes the cookies delicious but also visually appealing.

Tips for Cooking with Kids

Safety First: Supervise young children closely, especially when using the oven or knives. We recommend these kids kitchen knives for those that are ready for the added responsibility/ 

Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks: Older kids can help with cutting fruit and mixing dough, while younger ones can be in charge of decorating and spreading frosting.

Embrace the Mess: Baking with kids is bound to get messy. Embrace it and focus on the fun and learning experience rather than the cleanup.

Encourage Creativity: Let your kids express their creativity in decorating the cookies. There’s no right or wrong way to top a fruit pizza cookie!

Enjoy Your Creation!

After all the fun in the kitchen, it’s time to enjoy your delicious Fruit Pizza Cookies. These cookies are perfect for summer parties, playdates, or just a sweet treat at home. They’re not only tasty but also a great way to spend quality time with your kids, teaching them valuable cooking skills and fostering their creativity.