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This Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza features a soft sugar cookie crust, fresh berries and a tangy lemon cream cheese frosting. It’s our go to summer dessert perfect for Memorial Day picnics and Fourth of July barbecues.
Check out this fruit pizza recipe below or PIN IT for later!
Originally shared June 2014 and updated June 2026
There’s something about summer barbecues that feels deeply nostalgic.
Maybe it’s the smell of burgers on the grill. Or, the sound of kids running through the backyard while adults gather around the patio. Maybe it’s the fireworks or the flags lining the street as we celebrate Independence Day.
Or, maybe without even realizing it, it’s the summer desserts that have somehow become quite the tradition over the years.
As a child, my family’s favorite summer dessert was a gallon of gold rimmed Blue Bell Ice Cream – if you know, you know – most of the time dished up in bowls or sugar cones, but also served as root beer floats.
For my family today, s’mores over the fire pit or fruit pizza, specifically this Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza, has become our go to summer dessert.
Yes, for over a decade, when tasked with bringing a dessert to a Fourth of July BBQ, Memorial Day Picnic or random Sunday night dinner with friends, this patriotic fruit pizza has been our go to dessert.
Not only is this homemade fruit pizza recipe incredibly easy to make, it is such a stunning, beautiful dessert that is always a crowd pleaser and somehow always the very first dessert to disappear.
And honestly? I understand why.
Even though I didn’t grow up eating fruit pizza, many adults who were kids in the 80’s and 90’s did, making it such a beloved summer treat!
Those retro fruit pizza recipes often consisted of a roll of store bought sugar cookie dough, a cream cheese and cool whip topping and assorted fruit like berries, canned mandarin oranges and kiwi.
However, our made from scratch Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza is a bit more sophisticated, but still one of the easiest homemade desserts you can make.
This fruit pizza variation combines a soft homemade sugar cookie crust, tangy two ingredient cream cheese and lemon curd frosting, and a mix of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries into an impressive, show stopping dessert!
Whether you’re bringing this patriotic Fourth of July fruit pizza to a backyard BBQ, making it for a birthday party, or simply wanting a homemade dessert for a warm summer evening, this easy dessert recipe always delivers.
What Is Fruit Pizza?
Fruit pizza is a classic American dessert made with three layers:
- A soft sugar cookie crust
- Cream cheese frosting
- Fresh fruit arranged in decorative patterns on top
The recipe became especially popular in the 1980s and 1990s when refrigerated sugar cookie dough first started appearing in grocery stores.
Today, homemade fruit pizza remains a beloved summer dessert idea because it is colorful, refreshing, easy to make and endlessly customizable.
HELPFUL TIPS AND INFORMATION:
Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza Ingredients and Substitutions:
(A full list of ingredients, plus specific measurements, can be found in the recipe card below.)
For the Sugar Cookie Crust:
- Unsalted butter – Salted butter can be used, just omit the added salt. Note: We have not tested this recipe with a dairy free butter alternative.
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs (at room temperature) – Eggs at room temperature will incorporate into the dough more evenly.
- Pure vanilla extract – Use pure vanilla extract, as opposed to imitation vanilla. While pure vanilla will cost a little bit more, it has the most natural flavor.
- Unbleached all-purpose flour – Since bleached flour is treated with chemicals, we always use unbleached flour. We use and recommend measuring flour using the spoon and level technique to ensure accurate measurements. We have not tested this recipe with whole wheat pastry flour. For gluten free, we have had great success with using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. Simply replace the 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 cups Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt – Table salt can be substituted.
- Cornstarch – A small amount of cornstarch helps the cookie crust be soft and tender, however, can be omitted if needed.
For the Fruit Pizza Frosting:
- Cream cheese – We highly recommend using traditional full fat cream cheese in a block for this recipe. Not whipped cream cheese, 1/3 less fat cream cheese or Neufchatel Cheese. Our preferred brand is Philadelphia Cream Cheese as it contains the least amount of added ingredients. To soften cream cheese, remove from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before making the frosting. Alternatively, you can cut the cream cheese into cubes and place on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 15-30 seconds or until softened.
- Homemade lemon curd – We use our go to homemade lemon curd recipe to make a simple lemon cream cheese frosting, however, store bought lemon curd can be used.
Fresh Fruit Toppings:
Fresh berries pair the best with the lemon cream cheese frosting. Use any combination you love:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
How to Make Fruit Pizza
Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookie Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix melted butter and sugar together. Add the egg and vanilla.
Mix in flour, baking powder, salt and cornstarch until a soft dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking sheet, pressing to the sides.
Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
The center may still look slightly soft — which is what you want for a tender sugar cookie fruit pizza crust.
Step 2: Cool Completely
Allow the cookie crust to cool fully, approximately 45 minutes, before adding frosting.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a medium bowl using an electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
Add the lemon curd and beat until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Spread frosting evenly over the cooled crust.
Step 4: Decorate with Fruit
Arrange berries as desired in a design or pattern.
Step 5: Chill Before Serving
Refrigerate the fruit pizza for at least 1 hour before slicing. This helps the frosting set and makes serving much easier.
Slice into squares and serve chilled.
Fruit Pizza Design Ideas
One of the best things about homemade fruit pizza is how customizable it is.
For our Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza we prefer to bake it in a half sheet pan, to give it a uniform rectangular shape. This makes it easy to decorate in a pattern with rows of fruit in similar shapes and sizes.
However, we have also baked this fruit pizza in a circular shape and have made a star shaped design out of fruit for a fun patriotic fruit pizza. See the bottom photo for example.
Expert Tips for the Best Fruit Pizza
Don’t Overbake the Crust
A slightly soft center keeps the crust chewy and tender. You will only want to bake the crust just until it starts to become lightly brown on the edges and the center is set.
You will know the center is “set” when you pull the cookie crust out of the oven, gently shake the pan and the center of the crust doesn’t move.
Wash and Dry Fruit Well
Not only does added moisture ruin the fruit pizza frosting and make the pizza soggy, it can cause the fruit to “bleed” into the cake, which can be unappetizing. In addition to drying the fruit after washing, pat the strawberries dry after slicing.
Chill Before Serving
Assemble and chill the fruit pizza at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to build and because it will slice much more cleanly.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese
Room temperature cream cheese will blend more smoothly and prevent a lumpy frosting.
Slice Fruit Evenly
Use fruit that is approximately the same size and shape to make the design look polished and professional.
How to Store Fruit Pizza
Due to the cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit, fruit pizza should be stored covered in the refrigerator. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
The sugar cookie dough can be shaped into a disc, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer safe zip top baggie and be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw dough in the refrigerator and then proceed as directed with the recipe.
Alternatively the crust can be baked and then frozen. Simply leave crust in the baking sheet and cool completely. Wrap the cooled crust in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw crust in the refrigerator overnight and then proceed with the recipe.
Avoid freezing fully assembled fruit pizza.
FAQ
How do you keep fruit pizza from getting soggy?
Dry fruit thoroughly and chill the pizza before serving.
Can fruit pizza be made ahead?
Yes. Make the crust and frosting a day ahead, then assemble and decorate with fruit at least one hour before serving.
What frosting goes on fruit pizza?
Traditionally fruit pizza is served with a whipped cream and cream cheese frosting. However, we prefer this Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting using lemon curd and cream cheese.
Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
While we highly recommend our homemade sugar cookie crust, store bought sugar cookie dough can be used in a pinch on a busy day.
What fruit should not go on fruit pizza?
For our Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza we recommend only using fresh berries, like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Avoid frozen fruit or juicy canned fruit.
How long does fruit pizza last?
It’s best eaten within 1–3 days. With that said, the longer the fruit pizza sits in the refrigerator, the quality of the fruit and its appearance will not be as appealing. The pizza will also become more soggy over time.
If you like this dessert idea, you’ll love these other recipes:
Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza
This Lemon Berry Fruit Pizza features a soft sugar cookie crust, fresh berries and a lemon cream cheese frosting. It’s our go to summer dessert perfect for Memorial Day picnics and Fourth of July barbecues.
Ingredients
- Sugar Cookie Crust:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- --
- Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup homemade lemon curd
- --
- Fresh Fruit Topping:
- 3-4 cups fresh berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Instructions
- FOR THE SUGAR COOKIE CRUST: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12 ½ x 9 -inch quater sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Place butter in a small sauce pan over low heat, cooking just until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, stir together melted butter and sugar. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Stir the flour, baking soda, salt and cornstarch into the butter mixture. Continue to stir until a soft dough forms. Do not over mix.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking sheet, pressing to the sides.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center has puffed up slightly.
- Allow cookie crust to cool fully, approximately 30-45 minutes, before adding frosting.
- FOR THE FROSTING:In a medium bowl using an electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the lemon curd and beat until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cookie crust, spreading it out to the edges.
- Arrange berries as desired in a design or pattern on top of the frosted cookie crust.
- Wrap the fruit pizza tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
*PLEASE SEE THE "HELPFUL TIPS AND INFORMATION" SECTION ABOVE FOR ADDITIONAL RECIPE NOTES.
- Makes one 12 ½ x 9 -inch fruit pizza.
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