Why is my cookie crust crumbling?

You could have added too much flour to the sugar cookie baseor overbaked the crust. I like to fluff my flour up by scooping in several times with my measuring cup and sprinkling it back down into the flour container before I measure my flour. Always make sure the flour is flush with the top edge of the measuring cup. To prevent overbaking, bake just until the edges of the sugar cookie crust turns lightly golden and the center is the same color as the rest of the crust. If it's darker, it could still be raw in the center.

Why is my cream cheese layer lumpy?

The cream cheese likely wasn't fully softened before mixing it or you didn't mix it by itself first. Adding liquid in too quickly, won't let the cream cheese thin out properly and will leave you with lumps of cream cheese.

Can I make this strawberry pizza ahead of time?

Yes! You can make each component 1 to 2 days ahead of time and leave them separated and well wrapped. Then the day you plant to serve it, assemble everything.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Unforunately, no. Frozen strawberries release too much liquid after thawing even if they're drained. The color will also be washed out and not have the same appeal.

Strawberry Pizza

Name: Strawberry Pizza
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature); 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-3 cups fresh strawberries (hulled, sliced, and patted dry); 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

These Strawberry Pizza starts with a soft homemade sugar cookie crust, layered with a sweet cream chese spread, and finished with fresh strawberries that are arranged into a beautiful display that's just as impressive as it is delicious.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 12

Jump to Recipe

A hand lifts a slice of strawberry tart—like a sweet strawberry pizza—topped with sliced strawberries and cream, with a fork and whole strawberries on a marble surface nearby.

A strawberry tart with cream filling, reminiscent of a strawberry pizza, sits on a marble surface; one slice is separated, with a fork, knife, and plate nearby.

It’s one of my favorite desserts to make during strawberry season because it looks like you spent hours on it, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to put together. Whether ou’re serving it for Easter, Mother’s day, a summer cookout, or simply because strawberries looked too good to pass up at the grocery store, this dessert always disappears fast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft homemade sugar cookie crust
Fresh strawberries in every bite
Beautiful dessert for spring and summer
Perfect for cookouts, parties, and holidays

What Makes This Recipe Special

Many fruit pizza recipes use refrigerated cookie dough like my easy fruit pizza recipe does. However, making the sugar cookie crust from scratch gives you a more buttery flavor than store-bought and more control on how soft and tender your sugar cookie crust is.

Instead of a thick frosting-like topping, the cream cheese mixture is light, creamy, and spreadable, allowing the fresh strawberry flavor to really shine.

A light honey glaze is optional, but it gives the strawberries a beautiful glossy finish while helping keep them fresh longer.

Ingredients

All-purpose Flour – This gives the fruit pizza structure while keeping the cookie crust soft and tender.

Butter – Room temperature butter creames a rich, buttery sugar cookie base. Salted butter can be used but you will need to omit the additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt that’s in the recipe.

Cream Cheese – Use full-fat, room temperature cream cheese for the smoothest filling.

Heavy Whipping Cream – This lightens the cream cheese mixture and makes it easy to spread without becoming overly sweet.

Fresh Strawberries – Perfectly ripened strawberries are the star of this dessert. Look for berries that are bright red and fragrant for the best flavor.

Honey – A light brush of warmed honey gives the strawberries a gorgeous shine and helps prevent them from drying out after slicing.

Substitutions and Variations

Use different fruit slices for the top of the dessert pizza.
Use store-bought sugar cookie dough for the crust.
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to the sugar cookie dough or cream cheese mixture for a warmth.
Do a white chocolate ganache drizzle on top of the strawberry pizza using white or regular chocolate chips and a small amount of heavy whipping cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir until the mixture is melted and pourable.

NOTE: This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations

How to Make Strawberry Pizza

A glass bowl of flour with chunks of butter being added from another bowl, set on a marble countertop—perfect for making a delicious Strawberry Dessert like classic Strawberry Pizza.

Step 1: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

A glass bowl containing a mixture of creamed butter and sugar on a white marble surface, ready as the base for a delicious Strawberry Pizza.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla until combined.

A glass bowl contains partially mixed Strawberry Pizza cookie dough with a green spatula resting inside on a marble surface.

Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients until just combined.

A round baked crust on a pizza pan, ready to become a delicious Strawberry Pizza, sits beside a bowl of strawberries and a small bowl of light-colored liquid on a marble surface.

Step 4: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pizza pan and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

A glass bowl filled with smooth, creamy mixture sits on a marble surface, reminiscent of the perfect base for Strawberry Pizza, with a bowl of strawberries and a hand mixer in the background.

Step 5: While the crust is cooling, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until creamy and spreadable.

A round crust is topped with creamy white frosting, creating a tempting Strawberry Pizza. A spoon rests on the frosting, while sliced strawberries and a bowl of pale liquid sit nearby.

Step 6: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled cookie crust.

A delightful Strawberry Pizza featuring a spiral pattern of fresh strawberry slices on a creamy white base, beautifully displayed on a round baking tray.

Step 7: Add the sliced strawberries to the top of the pizza. Place them in overlapping circles beginning around the outside edge and working toward the center. If using, warm the honey until pourable and lightly brush it over the strawberries. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

A hand holds a slice of strawberry dessert pizza with cream filling, topped with fresh sliced strawberries. The whole tart and a bowl of extra strawberries are in the background.

Tips for Best Results

Let the cookie crust cool completely. A warm crust can soften the cream cheese layer and make spreading difficult.
Use room temperature cream cheese. This creates a smooth filling without lumps.
Dry the sliced strawberries well. After washing the strawberries, pat the strawberries dry to prevent excess moisture from making the dessert watery.
Be sure to arrange the strawberries slightly overlapping eachother to create a fuller look and ensure every bite has plenty of strawberries.
Chill the strawberry pizza before serving!