PATRIOTIC FRUIT PIZZA WITH PECAN SHORTBREAD CRUST

Patriotic Fruit Pizza with Pecan Shortbread Crust image

Torrey's pecan shortbread crust really sets this apart from your average fruit pizza recipe. The crust is crisp and sweet but isn't overly sweet. Her cream cheese spread is thick and the orange zest is just enough to give the mixture a little citrus flavor. We used strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple as suggested and the...

Provided by Torrey Moseley

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

SPREAD
16 oz (2 boxes) cream cheese (or neufchatel), room temperature
1 medium container whipped topping, 12 oz.
zest of 1 orange (optional)
1/2 c sugar
FRUIT TOPPING (AS PICTURED)
50-60 blueberries, fresh
16-20 strawberries, fresh; sliced or halved
1 can(s) pineapple chunks
or... whatever fruit you want to add
PECAN SHORTBREAD CRUST
3/4 lb (3 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 c chopped pecans

Steps:

1. FOR SPREAD: In mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, whipped topping, sugar and orange zest (optional) until well-blended. Set aside. Keep cool, but not cold (makes it hard to spread).
2. FOR CRUST: I used a stand mixer with a paddle attachment as this is a VERY stiff dough and I knew my hand would wear out. Preheat oven to 350 F (~175 C).
3. Cream together sugar and butter just until combined.
4. Add extracts and stir into butter/sugar mixture.
5. In separate bowl, whisk flour and salt together.
6. Add flour/salt mix to butter/sugar mix, a little at a time.
7. Add chopped pecans to dough (I chop them by hand) and work dough until nuts are evenly incorporated.
8. Line bottom of jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper.
9. Pat out dough to cover bottom (and slightly up sides) of pan. Dough should be about 1/4-inch thick. NOTE: You will probably have leftover dough. LUCKY YOU! Make shortbread cookies! Roll leftover dough into a log, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill it. Then slice into 1/4-inch wide cookies and bake at 350 F for about 15-20 min until golden brown on edges and done in middle.
10. In 350 F oven, bake crust until golden brown around edges and center is cooked but not brown (10-15 min). Let crust cool COMPLETELY before topping it.
11. FOR FRUIT TOPPING: Wash and dry desired fresh fruits (or use drained, canned fruit). If berries are small, use whole. If fruit is larger, cut into bite-size pieces or slices. For this pizza, I cut the strawberries in half.
12. ASSEMBLY: Spread cream cheese mixture over cooled crust.
13. Arrange fruit in decorative patterns on top of cream cheese.
14. If not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate until serving.