Ah, the allure of bite-sized, vibrant treats—like little edible canvases. Mini fruit pizzas with lemon cream cheese frosting are a whimsical fusion of tangy and sweet, a carnival on your taste buds. Just imagine a Sunday afternoon, the kitchen bustling with the scent of zesty lemon, reminding you of that summer festival you almost forgot.
Fruit-Topped Cookies
Try making these fruit-topped cookies for a light, refreshing treat. Start with a basic sugar cookie base, add a layer of cream cheese frosting, and finish with sliced strawberries and other fresh fruit. They’re perfect for a summer get-together or just a fun baking project. You can even let your kids help decorate!
Fruit-Topped Cookies
Picture this: bite-sized sweet treats topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries on a buttery base. The lemon wedge on the side adds a zesty twist. These are perfect for a summer party or a quick dessert fix. Just spread cream cheese on mini cookies, top with sliced berries, and you’re good to go. Simple, tasty, and crowd-pleasing.
Fruit Tarts
Check out these delicious fruit tarts. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert. Start with a simple shortbread base. Add a layer of creamy custard or whipped cream. Top with fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Finish with a mint leaf for a fresh touch. These tarts are great for summer gatherings or just treating yourself to something sweet.
Rolling Dough
Got some dough ready to roll? Make sure your surface is lightly dusted with flour to prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to gently flatten the dough, working from the center outwards. Keep turning the dough to maintain an even thickness. Perfect for pizza, pie, or cookies!
Steps
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sift in cake flour, and add baking powder and salt. Whisk the mixture for about 20 seconds and set it aside. In an electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until creamy, light, and fluffy for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition, then blend in the vanilla extract. Set the mixer to low speed and gradually incorporate the dry ingredients until fully combined. Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape each into a disk, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Flour a clean surface generously, remove one dough disk from the fridge, unwrap it, and place it on the floured surface. Sprinkle the top with flour and roll it out to a thickness of 3/8 inches.
- Cut the dough into 2 1/2-inch rounds and place them on a baking sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 7-9 minutes, ensuring they remain slightly soft without becoming golden. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting, use an electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment to beat butter, cream cheese, and lemon zest until smooth and fluffy. Add lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon extract, then mix in the powdered sugar and whip the frosting for several minutes until fluffy.
- Once the cookies have cooled, spread the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting over them. Decorate each cookie with diced fruit, such as berries, kiwi slices, pineapple, peaches, or mango, just before serving.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Cake flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon extract
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, huckleberries
- Kiwi
- Pineapple
- Peaches
- Mangoes
Nutritional Values
Calories: 6948 | Calories from Fat: 3240 | Total Fat: 360g | Saturated Fat: 216g | Cholesterol: 1296mg | Sodium: 2124mg | Potassium: 2556mg | Total Carbohydrates: 864g | Dietary Fiber: 36g | Sugars: 504g | Protein: 72g | Vitamin A: 14184IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 900mg | Iron: 36mg
FAQ
- What type of fruit is best for topping these mini fruit pizzas?
- For the best results, use fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or huckleberries. Kiwi, pineapple, peaches, and mangos are also excellent choices. Dice the fruits into small pieces, except for kiwis, which should be sliced.
- How should the cookie dough be prepared and baked?
- Begin by whisking together the dry ingredients, then cream the butter and sugar, adding eggs and vanilla. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Divide and chill the dough for at least 3 hours. When ready, roll out the dough, cut into rounds, and bake at 375°F for 7-9 minutes. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
- Can the dough be prepared in advance?
- Yes, the dough can be prepared ahead of time. After dividing and wrapping the dough, it can be chilled in the refrigerator for up to overnight before baking.
- How is the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting made?
- To make the frosting, whip together butter, cream cheese, and lemon zest until smooth. Then mix in lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon extract. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue whipping until the mixture is fluffy.
- What is the nutritional information for each serving of mini fruit pizzas?
- Each serving contains approximately 193 calories, with 10g of fat, 24g of carbohydrates, and 2g of protein. It also includes 6g of saturated fat, 14g of sugar, and small percentages of vitamins and minerals based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tips
- Chill the Dough Thoroughly: Ensure the cookie dough is well-chilled for at least 3 hours, or even overnight. This helps maintain the shape of the cookies during baking and enhances their melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Monitor Baking Time: Pay close attention to the baking time, as these cookies should not become golden. Aim for a slightly set texture that still leaves an indentation when touched, ensuring they remain soft.
- Decorate Just Before Serving: To keep the fruit fresh and vibrant, add it to the frosted cookies just before serving. This prevents the fruit from making the frosting soggy and ensures a delightful presentation.
- Choose a Variety of Fruits: Use a mix of berries, kiwi, pineapple, peaches, or mango to add color and flavor. Dice the fruit into small, uniform pieces for even distribution on each cookie, except for kiwis, which can be sliced.
Equipment
- Electric stand mixer with paddle attachment
- Silpat or parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
