Red, White, & Blue Sugar Cookie Pizza

Every year we host a big 4th of July BBQ at our home. This is one of our family’s favorite big events and we all look forward to it. It is a group effort, and everyone helps. My husband and kids take care of the outdoor entertainment and barbequing while I plan the food. Having the Salmon River in our backyard makes it the perfect setting for a BBQ, especially when it’s hot. Usually at least 30 people come, but our numbers are between 40-50 the last couple of years. We enjoy a relaxing day spent with our friends celebrating our country’s birth. Having good food is important of course, so one of the first tasks is to create a menu. Obviously, desserts are a part of the menu, so today I am sharing a delicious July 4th dessert that you will love!

Fourth of July desserts are always fun to make. The combination of red, white, and blue makes a pretty and festive treat that is fun to serve. This year I created a new recipe with an old favorite for a fun cookie pizza dessert that is sure to be a hit. One of my favorite things about cookie pizzas is how customizable they are. To make this cookie pizza I used my best sugar cookie recipe here. This sugar cookie recipe is an old favorite and go-to that is very versatile and yummy. For a variation I added a sweet cream cheese layer along with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Almond extract is used heavily in this recipe, but it tastes so good here! If allergies are an issue, then use vanilla instead for yummy results. This amazing dessert is perfect for your July 4th celebration!

Make sure to use good, local and organic berries on top of your cookie pizza. (Even as I write this I am munching on some delicious organic blueberries.) You can make a design such as a flag with the berries, or you can just toss them on freestyle like I did. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Additionally, other fruits work well on this such as raspberries, nectarines, etc. As a side note, make sure not to overbake your cookie crust, so that it is moist and chewy.

Red, White, & Blue Sugar Cookie Pizza

1 recipe of unbaked sugar cookie dough (click here) (Note: if desired swap out 1 tbsp of almond extract for the vanilla in the cookie recipe.)

2 8 oz packages of organic cream cheese, room temperature

1 lb organic powdered sugar

1 cube of organic butter (salted)

2 tbsp. almond extract divided (optional; see note above next to unbaked sugar cookie dough)

1 pint of fresh strawberries, washed, sliced, and patted dry.

1 pint of fresh blueberries, washed and patted dry.

Method

Make sugar cookie dough per instructions using 1 tbsp. of almond extract instead of vanilla. Note: vanilla is fine also if you don’t want almond. Press sugar cookie dough into greased 12 x 17 pan and bake at 375 degrees for approx. 20 minutes or until lightly brown around edges. For best results don’t overbake. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let cool. While the cookie sheet is cooling whip all of cream cheese and butter until well-mixed and fluffy. Add 1 tbsp. of almond extract (or vanilla) and all of the powdered sugar. Whip until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture over cooled cookie crust and top with sliced strawberries and blueberries. Put in fridge to set. Serve.

Enjoy!

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