Fruit Pizza

With all the snow this winter, I was feeling the need for a little reminder of summer. Fruit seemed like a natural choice. I remember my mother making fruit pizza when I was a teenager and how hard it was to stop eating it, even right out of the refrigerator! At first, I wasn't sure my recipe was going to taste good. But I was very surprised when I took the first bite. The cookie provides crunch, the cream cheese a bit of tart, and the fruit was refreshing and sweet. This would be fantastic for a party or any get together.

Fruit Pizza

20 oz package refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened

8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Fresh fruit such as strawberries, kiwi, fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries, fresh or canned peaches. Slice or cut into bite sized pieces.

1/4 cup orange marmalade

1 tblsp. water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Slice cookie dough as directed on package. Arrange slices in the bottom of a 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan. Using floured fingers, press the dough evenly into the pan. Bake about 16 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sugar until blended. Add vanilla. Spread the mixture over the cookie to the edges. Arrange the fruit as desired over cream cheese.

In another small bowl, combine orange marmalade and water. Using a brush, spread over the fruit evenly. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Cut into slices. Serve. Keep remainder refrigerated.

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. It's where all the fruit is."
-Shirley MacLaine