Amish fruit pizza is a delicious and colorful dessert that's sure to be a hit at any gathering. With its buttery crust, smooth cream cheese filling, and vibrant, fresh fruit topping, it's a treat that's as visually stunning as it is delicious.
Whether you're making it for a family gathering, a summer party, or just a sweet treat for yourself, this easy-to-make dessert is always a crowd-pleaser. Offering a sweet and satisfying way to enjoy seasonal fruits, it's the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Why You'll Love Amish Fruit Pizza
🔷 Fresh, bright flavors
🔷 Soft, buttery crust (think sugar cookie crust)
🔷 Beautiful and customizable with any fruit
🔷 Sweet, glossy glaze that sets it apart
🔷 Simple ingredients, easy to make
🔷 Loved by both kids and adults
🔷 Can adjust sweetness or toppings to taste
Fruit Ideas & Ingredient Substitutions
One of the best parts about fresh fruit pizza is its versatility. While the recipe suggests classic fruits like berries, kiwi, and pineapple, feel free to get creative and use whatever fresh fruits are in season or suit your taste. Some other great fruit options include halved grapes, peaches, blackberries, or even mango slices for a bit of extra sweetness. If you're making this for a holiday, such as a Fourth of July or Easter gathering, try arranging the fruit in a festive pattern to match the occasion.
Cool Whip vs. Whipped Cream: What's the Difference?
When it comes to the filling, you have two main options - Cool Whip or whipped cream. Cool Whip is a convenient, store-bought option that's light and fluffy but contains added preservatives and not-so-good-for-you ingredients. If you prefer a more natural, homemade option, adding heavy cream gives you a richer, fresher flavor without any added ingredients. However, Cool Whip is more stable in warm temperatures.
Substitutions You Can Try:
- Use Pre-Made Dough for the Crust: If you're short on time or don't want to make the dough from scratch, you can use pre-made sugar cookie dough. Just press it into the pan and bake according to the package directions.
- Butter: If you're out of butter or need a dairy-free option, you can use plant butter or even coconut oil in the crust. Keep in mind that coconut oil may give the crust a slight coconut flavor.
- Gluten-Free Crust: If you're making this for someone with gluten sensitivities, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the crust. Just be sure to add in a teaspoon of xanthan gum if the flour blend doesn't already contain it, to help with texture.
- Dairy-Free Options: If you're making a dairy-free version of Amish fruit pizza, consider using dairy-free cream cheese and whipped coconut cream instead of traditional cream cheese and heavy cream.
- Clear Jel: If you don't have Clear Jel (affiliate link) for the glaze, you can use the same amount of cornstarch (or PermaFlow) instead. Clear Jel gives a clear, more stable finish, but cornstarch works in a pinch. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly.
With these simple substitutions and ingredient ideas, you can easily tailor this homemade fruit pizza to suit your dietary needs or to make use of what you have on hand!
Step-by-Step Instructions and Tips
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat the oven.
- In a bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add the egg and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined.
- Press the dough evenly into a well-greased or parchment-lined 10x15" sheet pan. (This makes a pretty thin crust. If you prefer thicker, spread it into a smaller pan.)
- Bake for about 10 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool completely.
- Tip: Watch the crust closely while baking. It should be lightly golden, not too brown.
2. Prepare the Glaze:
- In a saucepan, combine fruit juice, sugar, and clear jel. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for a bit, then remove it from the heat.
- Stir in jello powder until fully dissolved.
- Set the glaze aside to cool completely.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add heavy whipping cream. Mix on low speed until it starts to thicken, then whip on high speed until thick and creamy.
4. Prepare the Fruit:
- Wash, drain, and slice your chosen fruit (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, etc.).
- Tip: Prepare the fruit ahead of time and set it aside so it's ready to go when the crust is cooled.
5. Assemble the Fruit Pizza:
- Once the crust has completely cooled, spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the top.
- Arrange the prepared fruit on top of the filling. You can either arrange the fruit neatly in patterns or pile it on for a more casual look - whichever you prefer!
- Spread the cooled glaze evenly over the fruit to give it a shiny, beautiful finish.
6. Chill and Serve:
- For the best flavor and texture, let the assembled fruit pizza chill for at least an hour before serving. This helps the glaze set, the cream cheese filling firms up, and the flavors blend.
- Slice and enjoy!
Creative Ways to Arrange Your Fruit
One of the best parts about making this easy fruit pizza dessert is how customizable it is, especially when it comes to arranging the fruit. Whether you're creating a festive look for a holiday or just want to make a fun, eye-catching design, there are plenty of ways to get creative with your fruit topping!
- Classic Rainbow Pattern: Arrange the fruits in a colorful rainbow pattern, grouping them by color for a visually striking effect. This works especially well for a fresh and bright look that pops with every slice.
- 4th of July Fruit Pizza: For a patriotic touch, try arranging the fruit in a red, white, and blue pattern. Use strawberries or raspberries for the red, blueberries for the blue, and banana slices or coconut flakes for the white. It's perfect for celebrating Independence Day or any event that calls for a festive touch.
- Easter or Spring Theme: For a spring-inspired dessert, use soft pastel-colored fruits like peaches, grapes, etc. You can arrange them in a circular or floral pattern for a fresh, seasonal vibe.
- Rustic Pile-It-On Style: If you prefer a more laid-back look, simply pile the fruit on top of the cream cheese filling without worrying about neatness. This rustic style still looks beautiful, and feels more relaxed while still delivering a burst of color and flavor, as well as giving you the opportunity to enjoy the variety of fruits all in one bite.
No matter how you choose to arrange your fruit, the vibrant colors and natural sweetness of the fruit will shine through, making each slice of this cookie sheet fruit pizza both visually appealing and delicious.
Can I Make Fruit Pizza Without the Glaze?
Yes, you can skip the glaze if you're short on time or just prefer a simpler version. Many fruit pizza recipes stop right after the fruit is arranged, and it will still taste delicious.
But if you want something extra special, don't skip the glaze. It adds a glossy finish, a flavor boost, and helps keep the fruit looking fresh longer. The glaze is what really sets this Amish fruit pizza apart and gives it that irresistible touch.
Fruit pizza with cream cheese filling and a sugar cookie-type crust has been a long-time favorite dessert of mine. It was made quite frequently, and was always a welcomed treat in my Amish community.
I hope you enjoy this Amish fruit pizza as much as my family does. If you try this recipe, I'd love it if you left me a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe Card
Amish Fruit Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
Crust:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
Filling:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream (or an 8-ounce tub thawed Cool Whip)
Fruit - berries, pineapple, kiwi, grapes, etc. as desired (These measurements/ingredients are only for ideas)
- 2 cups blueberries
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 ½ cups pineapple slices
- 1 cup kiwis, peeled and cut into slices
Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups pineapple juice or orange juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon (heaping full) cook-type clear jel
- 2 tablespoons lemon or pineapple jello
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and mix well.½ cup butter, softened, ½ cup sugar, 1 large egg
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the mixture to the wet ingredients and mix to combine.1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt
- Evenly press the crust mixture into a well-greased or parchment-lined 10x15-inch sheet pan.
- Bake the crust for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool completely.
Filling:
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix well.1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Add heavy whipping cream and beat until thick and creamy. (If using thawed Cool Whip instead, mix it in only to combine.)1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream (or an 8-ounce tub thawed Cool Whip)
- Refrigerate until ready to spread onto the cooled crust.
Fruit:
- Prepare fruit as desired.
Glaze:
- Mix the pineapple juice, sugar, and clear jel together in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, whisking occasionally.1 ½ cups pineapple juice or orange juice, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon (heaping full) cook-type clear jel
- Remove from the heat and add the jello. Stir to dissolve then set it aside to cool completely.2 tablespoons lemon or pineapple jello
Assemble the fruit pizza:
- Evenly spread the cream cheese layer over the cooled crust.
- Arrange fruit over the top as desired.2 cups blueberries, 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced , 1 ½ cups pineapple slices, 1 cup kiwis, peeled and cut into slices
- Spread the cooled glaze over the top of the fruit.
- Chill completely and enjoy!
- Cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to three days.
Anna
One of my favorite desserts!