Recipe: Fruit Pizza

Who doesn’t like pizza? This fruit pizza is the best treat for those looking for a healthier alternative to ice cream, cakes, and pies. The summer is the perfect time for a cool, fruity, snack, and this fruit pizza is the perfect dessert for picnics and parties!

Makes 1 pizza:

For the dough:

• 2 1/4 cups of whole wheat pastry flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup maple sugar or sucanat
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the topping:

• 8 ounces low fat cream cheese
• 1/4 cup low fat maple syrup, divided
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
• 16 ounces of strawberries, sliced
• 5 organic bananas, sliced
• 5 oranges, peeled, and cut into small slices
• 1/4 cup apricot jam

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and adjust the rack to the middle position. Butter a 12-inch round pizza pan. Whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Beat the butter and sugar together in the bowl of a standing mixer for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Add egg and beat for 30 seconds. Add vanilla extract and beat for another 30 seconds.

Pour the dough into a buttered pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and let it cool.

Beat the cream cheese and maple syrup with a mixer until completely smooth. Fold in the whipped cream. Spread cream mixture over the cookie crust and arrange the fruit on top.

Heat apricot jam with a tablespoon of water over medium heat until warm. Using a pastry brush, brush the fruit with the jam. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.