Fruit pizza is a perfect snack for any season, holiday, or reason. My friend Kim makes fruit pizza every holiday and when she needs a sugar fix. It is her familie's favorite dessert. I don't make it very often because it is so rich but today,I changed her recipe so I could eat it more often. Oh, did I mention how easy it is to make from scratch? Follow through and let's make some fruit pizza.

Step 1: Ingredients and Utensils

Here is what you will need:

Crust Ingredients:

1 Cup shortening
2 Cups flour
1/2 Cup organic sugar (my twist organic sugar and 1/2 of what her recipe calls for)
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 Egg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping or frosting:

1 1/2 (8 oz packages Cream cheese) softened ( I used less cream cheese so I could add Cool Whip)
1/2 Cup Cool Whip (my twist)
1 Tablespoon Pure orange extract (my twist)
1/4 Cup organic sugar ( less sugar yay)
The crust is delicious just by itself if you would like it plain.

Fruit:

I used sliced bananas, strawberries, and mandarine oranges but almost any fruit will work. You can add orange zest if you like.

Utensils:

Mixing bowls,spoons,mixer, cookie sheet,measuring cups, spoons, fork, knife, Saran wrap, rolling pin, spatula, and oven.

Step 2: Mix Dough

Combine dough ingredients:

Combine the shortening, sugar, vanilla, egg, cream of tarter, baking soda, and salt together and mix until smooth and creamy.
Slowly add the flour until it is mixed completely.

Step 3: Place Dough on Cookie Sheet

Rolling the dough:

Press the dough onto the cookie sheet and cover with Saran wrap.
Roll out the dough using a rolling pin (about 1/4 inch).
Poke holes in the dough using a fork.

Step 4: Bake

Bake the dough at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes or until brown.

Allow to cool slightly and while still warm cut the pieces carefully.
I just made squares but you can cut them in the shape of pizza slices.
Allow to cool and then using a spatula carefully loosen the crust so it does not stick to the pan.

Step 5: Frosting

Mix the frosting:

Combine softened cream cheese, Orange extract, sugar, and Cool whip together using a mixer until smooth.
Set aside.

Step 6: Fruit

Prepare the fruit:

Drain the juice off the oranges.
Slice the bananas and strawberries.
Set aside until ready to use.

Step 7: Slather Topping

Frost just before serving:

I do not frost the dough until just before I serve it and I only frost what will be eaten at the time.

Step 8: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts

You can cut pizza shapes or small squares or I would think you could use cookie cutters before the dough was baked but I have not tried that method yet. I store the extra frosting, fruit, and crust in separate containers and frost the crust as needed to keep the crust fresher. This dessert usually disappears the same day but just in case you have leftovers I thought I would give you a heads up.

I wish to thank Instructables, our sponsors, contributors, and all my visitors for making this a great place to share. Thanks for stopping by and do have a Happy Valentine's Day!

sunshiine