Introduction & Inspiration: A Sweet and Fruity Take on Pizza
This Strawberry Pizza is a fun, festive, and utterly delicious dessert! I love how it combines the sweet, buttery cookie crust with the creamy cream cheese filling and the fresh, juicy strawberries in a glistening glaze. It’s a unique treat.
The inspiration for this recipe came from my love for both pizza and strawberries. I wanted to create a dessert that was both visually appealing and incredibly tasty. A conversation starter.
I also wanted something that would be perfect for sharing with friends and family. This Strawberry Pizza is ideal for parties, potlucks, or any occasion.
This recipe is proof that pizza doesn’t always have to be savory! It’s a creative and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of strawberries, cream cheese, and a sweet, buttery crust.
Nostalgic Appeal (with a Playful, Pizza-Inspired Twist)
Pizza, with its endless topping possibilities and its shareable format, evokes a sense of fun, casual gatherings, and deliciousness. It reminds me of pizza nights, birthday parties, and simple joys.
This Strawberry Pizza takes that familiar concept. And transforms it into a sweet and fruity dessert that’s both playful and elegant. It’s pizza in a whole new light.
There’s something inherently satisfying about the combination of a giant cookie crust. Creamy cream cheese “sauce,” and fresh strawberry “toppings.” It is a treat for all.
It’s the kind of dessert that’s perfect for bringing people together. Or for enjoying as a special treat any time. A slice of pure happiness.
Homemade Focus (and the Joy of a Giant Cookie Crust)
I’m a strong advocate for homemade desserts, and this Strawberry Pizza is a perfect example of why. Making your own cookie crust, cream cheese filling, and strawberry glaze.
Store-bought versions of similar desserts often lack the fresh flavor. And the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that you can achieve with homemade. You are in control.
This recipe, while involving several components, is still very approachable. The cookie crust is a simple, one-bowl recipe. The cream cheese filling is easy.
It’s a recipe that I encourage everyone to try. It’s a great way to experience the joy of creating a fun and delicious dessert from scratch. A creative baking project.
Flavor Goal: Buttery Crust, Creamy Filling, and Sweet Strawberries
The flavor goal of this Strawberry Pizza is to achieve a perfect balance of buttery, slightly sweet cookie crust. Creamy, tangy cream cheese filling, and fresh, juicy strawberries in a glistening glaze.
The crust, made with butter, sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Provides a buttery, slightly crisp, and subtly sweet base.
The filling, made with cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Adds a layer of creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet “sauce” that complements the crust.
The strawberry topping, made with sliced fresh strawberries. And a glaze made from sugar, cornstarch, and crushed strawberries. Provides the fresh, fruity element.
Ingredient Insights
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients. For the Crust:
Butter, softened, provides richness and flavor. Granulated sugar adds sweetness. An egg adds richness and structure.
Vanilla extract and almond extract enhance the flavor of the crust. The almond extract adds a subtle, nutty note. All-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt are essential.
For the Filling:
Cream cheese, softened, is the key ingredient. Use full-fat cream cheese. Confectioners’ sugar adds sweetness and helps to create a smooth.
For the Strawberry Topping:
Sliced fresh strawberries are the star of the topping. Use ripe, flavorful strawberries. Granulated sugar and cornstarch are used to create the glaze.
Crushed strawberries add intense strawberry flavor and color to the glaze.
Essential Equipment
You’ll need a few basic baking tools:
A 12-inch pizza pan.
Large and medium bowls: for mixing.
An electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer).
A rolling pin.
A saucepan: for making the strawberry glaze.
That’s it! The equipment list is relatively straightforward.
List of Ingredients with Measurements
Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:
CRUST:
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
STRAWBERRY GLAZE:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups crushed strawberries
Remember to use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible. Especially the butter, cream cheese, and strawberries.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to create a beautiful and delicious Strawberry Pizza? Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide:
1. Make the Crust:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour. This makes the dough easier to handle.
2. Prepare the Crust for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 13-inch circle.
Transfer the dough to an ungreased 12-inch pizza pan.
Build up the edges of the dough slightly to create a rim.
3. Bake the Crust:
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Cool the crust completely on a wire rack.
4. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth.
5. Spread Filling on Crust: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled crust.
6. Arrange Strawberries:
Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling.
7. Make the Strawberry Glaze: In a large saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and crushed strawberries until blended.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until thickened.
Cool the glaze slightly.
8. Glaze the Strawberries:
Spoon the cooled glaze over the strawberries, allowing some to drip down the sides.
9. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Strawberry Pizza until serving time. This allows the glaze to set and the flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Troubleshooting
Possible issues:
Problem: The crust is too soft.
Solution: Make sure you’re baking the crust long enough, until it’s lightly browned and firm. You can also try adding a bit more flour to the dough.
Problem: The cream cheese filling is too runny.
Solution: Make sure you’re using softened, full-fat cream cheese. You can also try adding a bit more confectioners’ sugar to thicken the filling.
Problem: The glaze is too thick/thin.
Solution: Adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding more water (to thin) or cooking it a bit longer (to thicken).
Problem: Crust is sticking. Solution: Make sure to chill dough.
Problem: Strawberries are bleeding. Solution: Use fresh strawberries.
Tips and Variations
Here are some extra tips:
Tip: For an even more flavorful crust, add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough.
Tip: To prevent the crust from sticking to the pizza pan, you can lightly grease the pan or line it with parchment paper.
Tip: If you don’t have a pizza pan, you can use a baking sheet instead.
Variation: Use different types of fruit, such as raspberries, blueberries, or sliced peaches, instead of strawberries.
Variation: Add a layer of chocolate ganache to the crust before adding the cream cheese filling.
Variation: Sprinkle the finished pizza with chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans.
Variation: Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Variation: Omit glaze.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Ways to serve and pair with this dessert:
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the Strawberry Pizza chilled, straight from the refrigerator.
Serve it as a dessert for a summer party, a potluck, a picnic, or any casual gathering.
It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family.
It’s a fun and unique dessert.
Pairing Suggestions:
This Strawberry Pizza pairs well with a variety of beverages.
A cup of coffee or tea.
A glass of milk.
A glass of sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or Champagne.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream would also be delicious!
It also is wonderful alone.
Nutritional Information
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming 8 servings):
- Calories: 240
- Fat: 10g (6g saturated fat)
- Cholesterol: 37mg
- Sodium: 173mg
- Carbohydrate: 37g (26g sugars, 1g fiber)
- Protein: 3g
This is based on the provided nutrition facts. This Strawberry Pizza is a relatively rich and decadent dessert, due to the butter, sugar, cream cheese, and glaze.
It does provide some vitamins and antioxidants from the strawberries. It’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
You can make it less caloric.
Print
Strawberry Pizza
Description
This Strawberry Pizza is a fun, festive, and utterly delicious dessert! I love how it combines the sweet, buttery cookie crust with the creamy cream cheese filling and the fresh, juicy strawberries in a glistening glaze. It’s a unique treat
Ingredients
CRUST:
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1–1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
STRAWBERRY GLAZE:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups crushed strawberries
Instructions
1. Make the Crust:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour. This makes the dough easier to handle.
2. Prepare the Crust for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 13-inch circle.
Transfer the dough to an ungreased 12-inch pizza pan.
Build up the edges of the dough slightly to create a rim.
3. Bake the Crust:
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Cool the crust completely on a wire rack.
4. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth.
5. Spread Filling on Crust: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled crust.
6. Arrange Strawberries:
Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling.
7. Make the Strawberry Glaze: In a large saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and crushed strawberries until blended.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until thickened.
Cool the glaze slightly.
8. Glaze the Strawberries:
Spoon the cooled glaze over the strawberries, allowing some to drip down the sides.
9. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Strawberry Pizza until serving time. This allows the glaze to set and the flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Recipe Summary and Q&A
Let’s recap this delicious Strawberry Pizza baking journey!
Summary: This Strawberry Pizza features a buttery, slightly sweet cookie crust, a creamy cream cheese filling, and a topping of fresh, glazed strawberries. It’s a fun, festive, and delicious dessert.
Q&A:
Q: Can I make this Strawberry Pizza ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the crust and the filling ahead of time. Store the crust in an airtight container at room temperature. Store the filling in the refrigerator. Assemble the pizza just before serving.
Q: Can I freeze this Strawberry Pizza?
A: I don’t recommend freezing the assembled Strawberry Pizza, as the strawberries may become mushy upon thawing. However, you can freeze the baked crust before adding the filling and topping.
Q: I don’t have a pizza pan. Can I use something else?
A: Yes, you can use a baking sheet instead.
Q: Can I use store bought crust? A: You can, but the texture will be different.
Q: The glaze isn’t setting. A: Cook longer, allow to cool.