There were an abundance of fellow students in my high school of various ethnic groups, mostly Spanish, Italian (Sicilian) and Cuban. One such friend is De Maniscalco. We grew up with some of the best foods in the world. She definitely rivals me when it comes to the kitchen. I’m not a dessert person but her recipe for Fruit Pizza definitely caught my eye and I felt I could really consider it a health food with all that fruit!!! So I made it and was so glad I did. This is a great summer treat for family get togethers, picnics or socials or just for yourself. Thanks, De! I owe you!
INGREDIENTS:
Crust:
- 1/2 cup room temperature salted butter
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 egg
Filling:
- 8 oz. pkg cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup of juice drained from a regular sized can of canned fruit
- 2 Tbsp corn starch
- Your favorite fruit in slices. I used mostly what De used: Strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and mandarin orange slices.
Glaze:
- 1 Jar of apricot jam.
DIRECTIONS:
For the Crust:
- Combine the butter, shortening and sugar.
- Add the egg and blend well.
- Add the dry ingredients
- Pat down on a tart pan and bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes and let cool.
- For the filling:
- Mix the cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar.
- Spread on cooled crust.
- Drain fruit, reserving the juice.
- Combine the juice with cornstarch and cook until thick.
- Arrange your fruit slices as you desire on top of the cream cheese layer.
For the Glaze:
- Place a jar of apricot jam in a sauce pan and add a small amount of water to thin it out. Once it is at a desired consistency, apply to the top of your fruit pizza with a pastry brush.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and enjoy.
