Fruit and Mascarpone Dessert Pizza
If you’re out there thinking “Mary, really? A fruit pizza?” You’re going to have to trust me on this one! This might be the best dessert pizza recipe ever—it's purely delicious. Not only is this fruity dessert a feast for the eyes, it’s also so easy to make. This one is a lot of fun when I’m asked to bring dessert, plus it’s a winner with kids. I highly recommend getting the kiddos involved with making it too—they love spreading that rich cheese layer and decorating with all those bright, juicy fruits.
So if you’ve never made a dessert pizza before, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through it step-by-step. And by the time we’re done, you’ll have a beautiful, mouth-watering dessert that everyone will love!
What’s in a dessert pizza?
When you think of dessert pizza, you probably imagine the fresh, colorful fruit toppings—and you’re absolutely right! But before we get to those gorgeous fruits, let’s talk a little about the ingredients that make this dessert truly special.
A spiced sugar cookie crust elevates this dessert pizza to the next level.
The base of this dessert pizza is a spiced sugar cookie crust. Now, this is no ordinary sugar cookie. The secret here is a touch of cardamom and a sprinkle of nutmeg, which gives the crust a warm, fragrant flavor. If you ask me, cardamom is the unsung hero in baking—it adds a unique depth to the sweetness of pretty much any dessert recipe. Once it’s baked, this pizza is like a little slice of cheesecake with all your favorite fruit on top.
And, as with any pizza, you can make this recipe your own by mixing and matching your favorite fruits on top. Keep it classic with berries or go bold with a variety of fruits for a colorful explosion!
What is mascarpone cheese—and is it really good for dessert?
Mascarpone cheese isn’t just for tiramisu and cannoli—this creamy, luxurious cheese is the perfect foundation for a dessert pizza. It’s an Italian cheese, made from heavy cream, so it’s full-bodied, rich, and oh-so-spreadable. That velvety mascarpone layer makes each bite of this pizza smooth and indulgent.
What are the best fruit toppings for dessert pizza?
Now let’s talk about the fun part—the toppings! I love using a variety of fresh, colorful fruits to really bring this pizza to life. You can use any fruit you love, but I usually go for a mix of berries, kiwi, peaches, pomegranate arils and sometimes even mango. They add sweetness, color, and a touch of tartness that pairs perfectly with the rich mascarpone. If you’re in the mood for something a little simpler, you can make a berry pizza by using just blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Oh my gosh, doesn’t a berry pizza recipe sound so good?
Select the fruit of your choice, but avoid fruit like apples, pears and bananas that may discolor after being sliced. No matter which fruits you choose, the key is to slice them thin and arrange them in rows so every bite has a variety of flavors. Don’t fuss about it too much (especially if the little ones are helping out), because it’s going to look beautiful no matter how you do it!
Let’s make a pizza!
This recipe is a winner because it’s not only delicious but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can make it for casual family dinners, fancy gatherings, or even as a fun activity with kids. And, let’s be honest—it looks absolutely stunning when served. Who can resist a pizza topped with fresh fruit and creamy cheese? Not me! Need some dinner to go with that dessert? Make sure to check out the rest of my pizza party recipes too!
Fruit and Mascarpone Dessert Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Mary's Cognac Barrel Aged Pure Vanilla Extract
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
- 1¼ cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon Mary's Cognac Barrel Aged Pure Vanilla Extract
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Fresh peaches
- Mangos
- Drained canned mandarin oranges
- Kiwi
- Pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup apple jelly
Instructions
- Prepare the spiced sugar cookie crust. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, ground cardamom, ground nutmeg and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with the sugar, for 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl side periodically. Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine.
- With the mixer on medium-low, slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Remove the dough from the bowl. Place the dough on a large piece of plastic wrap and flatten it into a disk. Wrap the dough with the plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes or up to 1 day. If you keep it in the refrigerator for longer than 20 minutes, let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- When you’re ready to make your dessert pizza, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12-inch round pizza pan (not perforated) with nonstick cooking spray or use a baking sheet. Lightly flour your fingertips. Using your fingers, press the dough into a 10-inch circle about ⅓-inch thick. If you like, crimp the edge slightly. If you do crimp, don’t make the edge too thick.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 17 to 19 minutes or until the edges are very lightly browned. Avoid over-baking. Cool the crust completely before decorating. This dessert pizza is best served the day it is made.
- To prepare the mascarpone cream cheese topping: In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with the flat paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese and mascarpone until smooth, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add the confectioners’ sugar, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until creamy and combined.
- Now it’s time to decorate your dessert pizza! Using a large flat metal turner, carefully slide the cooled pizza crust to a serving platter. Using a small offset spatula, spread the mascarpone cream cheese topping over the crust. Decorate the top of the pizza with whatever fruit you like. Be creative and have fun!
- The pizza is ready to eat now, but if you would like to give it a bit more sparkle, brush the top of your fruit (the fruit only!) with melted apple jelly. Just heat the apple jelly in a small pan over low heat. Once melted, use a pastry brush to lightly glaze the top of the fruit. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
