Mini Fruit Pizza Cookies

These mini fruit pizza cookies are a fresh and festive treat that brighten any summer celebration. Soft sugar cookies form a tender base topped with creamy tangy frosting and colorful fresh berries. They are perfect for backyard barbecues or picnics and are especially fun to assemble with family and friends, making dessert a shared event full of smiles and sweet memories.

This recipe is one I fell in love with during a summer picnic, and since then I have enjoyed making it with my kids who look forward to decorating their own cookies every time. The combination of soft cookies and creamy frosting with juicy berries never fails to impress.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: for a tender but sturdy cookie base, choose good quality for best texture and flavor
• Baking soda and baking powder: help the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and light
• Unsalted butter: softened to room temperature makes the dough rich without excess saltiness
• Granulated sugar: adds sweetness and helps with cookie structure
• Egg: to bind the ingredients together and add richness
• Pure vanilla extract: for warm, inviting aroma
• Almond extract: optional but adds subtle nutty depth if you want to try something a little different
• Salt: to balance sweetness and elevate flavors
• Cream cheese: softened contributes tangy creaminess to the frosting
• Unsalted butter (for frosting): softened for smooth, rich frosting texture
• Powdered sugar: for sweetness and that classic creamy frosting consistency
• Fresh blueberries and raspberries: for bright color and fresh juicy bites, look for firm, plump berries without bruising or mold

Instructions

Make the Sugar Cookie Dough:

Begin by creaming the softened butter and granulated sugar together. Beat them for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy in texture. This step is important as it incorporates air, helping the cookies be tender and soft. Add the egg, pure vanilla extract, almond extract if using, and salt to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat everything thoroughly until combined well and the mixture looks smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing slowly until just combined and being careful not to over mix which can lead to tough cookies.

Chill and Shape the Dough:

Cover the dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This step is key to preventing spreading during baking and helps the cookies hold their shape. Chilled dough is easier to scoop and handle as well. After chilling, scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and give each ball a gentle press to slightly flatten it, creating a round cookie that will support the toppings nicely without being too thick or thin.

Bake the Sugar Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges just start to gain a light golden hue. They should still feel soft in the center. Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.

Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting:

Beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until completely smooth and free of lumps, using a hand mixer or stand mixer for even texture. Slowly add the powdered sugar, mixing continuously until the frosting becomes fluffy and thick and perfect for spreading or piping. Finally add the pure vanilla extract and mix thoroughly until every drop of flavor is incorporated.

Frost the Cookies:

Once the cookies have fully cooled, generously spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting over the cookie tops, aiming for a smooth, even layer that will hold the fruit toppings well.

Add the Fruit Toppings:

Arrange fresh blueberries and raspberries on each frosted cookie, considering fun patterns or patriotic designs for a festive touch. For a beautiful shiny finish and to help lock in moisture, gently brush the fruit with a small amount of warmed apricot jam to create a simple glaze that helps keep the fruit fresh longer.

This recipe has a soft spot in my heart because it was the first dessert I made with my children one sunny afternoon. Their excitement arranging the berries just so made it feel like an art project and a party all at once. The balance of textures and freshness always brings a sense of joy with each bite.

Storage Tips

Store any assembled cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit are best eaten soon to preserve texture and flavor. To prepare ahead, bake and cool the cookies then freeze them unfrosted in a sealed bag and make the frosting and assemble the fruit topping right before serving so everything tastes fresh and bright.

Ingredient Substitutions

Try swapping the cream cheese with mascarpone cheese for a milder, creamier frosting that feels a little more decadent and silky. Blueberries and raspberries can be replaced with strawberries and blackberries for different textures while maintaining a festive color scheme perfect for holiday celebrations.

Serving Suggestions

These mini fruit pizza cookies are beautiful served alongside a jug of fresh lemonade or sparkling wine for adult gatherings. For a kid friendly option, pair with vanilla bean ice cream to make an extra special summer treat and involve children in decorating with different fruit patterns or themed shapes for holidays.

These mini fruit pizza cookies are a sunny, shareable dessert that are as fun to decorate as they are to eat. They pair perfectly with summer gatherings and make a joyful hands on baking project for the whole family.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Ensure your dough is well chilled before baking. Cold dough helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.

→ Can I prepare the cookies ahead of time?

You can bake and cool the cookies in advance and store them airtight. Add frosting and fruit toppings just before serving to preserve freshness and texture.

→ How do I prevent the fruit from bleeding onto the frosting?

Pat berries dry before placing on frosting and add them shortly before serving. Lightly brushing fruit with warmed apricot jam creates a moisture barrier to prevent bleeding.

→ What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Keep assembled cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, keep cookies and frosting separate and assemble before serving.

→ Can I swap cream cheese frosting for another type?

Mascarpone cheese can be used instead of cream cheese to create a milder, creamier frosting that complements the fruit toppings beautifully.