The perfect Easter dessert

What a long week....it seemed as though Friday would never arrive but it did and I'm so thankful.  My parents are coming in tonight for the weekend and then we're spending time with my husbands family on Easter.  I'm really looking forward to having some good relaxing family time. Easter is not a big holiday for our family although it's a lot easier to celebrate with two little girls around.  I'm in a biweekly MOPS group and yesterday  the minister talked about Easter.

Instead of talking about the bibles meaning of Easter, he discussed the newness surrounding the day.  He talked about getting rid of the 'decay' and 'rot' we all carry within ourselves and the need to plant new seeds.  A refresh.  Although I'm not a very textbook religious person, I'm very spiritual.  His words resonated with me.  How many of us walk around with feelings or memories that darken us? It is so easy to hold onto anger, grudges and pain but it is these things that hold us back from having a fresh new outlook.  In my eyes, it's a Spring Cleaning of my mind, body and soul. There is a quote I love that reminds me to stay new.

Each Morning We are Born Again.

What We do Today is What Matters Most.

                                            - Buddha    

The 'pin' I decided to make was a fruit pizza for dessert.  It screams spring with the bright colors from the fruit and light sugar cookie crust.  I did use a shortcut.  Instead of making my sugar dough, I bought pre-made and rolled it out.  The dessert was a hit and so easy to make.  A perfect Easter dessert.

Pinterest Inspiration(s):

 http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fruit-pizza-i/

 http://realmomkitchen.com/2155/fruit-pizza/

My Results:

Pre-made sugar cookie dough
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Assortment of fruit (strawberries, grapes, kiwi, mandarin oranges, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple, peaches, blueberries)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or to the temperature the pre-made cookie dough states.

2. Press dough into an ungreased pan.  Use a pizza pan for a thinner crust or a glass dish for a thicker crust.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool.

4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until light. (Do this while the crust is baking)

5. Spread cream cheese mixture onto cooled crust leaving 1/2-1 inch of the edge of the crust uncovered. 

6. Arrange fruit over pizza in desired pattern.  This is the fun part.  Depending on the fruit you use, you can do this the night before.  I do know the bananas and apples don’t work to make it the night before.

What a long week....it seemed as though Friday would never arrive but it did and I'm so thankful.  My parents are coming in tonight for the weekend and then we're spending time with my husbands family on Easter.  I'm really looking forward to having some good relaxing family time. Easter is not a big holiday for our family although it's a lot easier to celebrate with two little girls around.  I'm in a biweekly MOPS group and yesterday  the minister talked about Easter.

Instead of talking about the bibles meaning of Easter, he discussed the newness surrounding the day.  He talked about getting rid of the 'decay' and 'rot' we all carry within ourselves and the need to plant new seeds.  A refresh.  Although I'm not a very textbook religious person, I'm very spiritual.  His words resonated with me.  How many of us walk around with feelings or memories that darken us? It is so easy to hold onto anger, grudges and pain but it is these things that hold us back from having a fresh new outlook.  In my eyes, it's a Spring Cleaning of my mind, body and soul. There is a quote I love that reminds me to stay new.

Each Morning We are Born Again.

What We do Today is What Matters Most.

                                            - Buddha    

The 'pin' I decided to make was a fruit pizza for dessert.  It screams spring with the bright colors from the fruit and light sugar cookie crust.  I did use a shortcut.  Instead of making my sugar dough, I bought pre-made and rolled it out.  The dessert was a hit and so easy to make.  A perfect Easter dessert.

Pinterest Inspiration(s):

 http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fruit-pizza-i/

 http://realmomkitchen.com/2155/fruit-pizza/

My Results:

Pre-made sugar cookie dough
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Assortment of fruit (strawberries, grapes, kiwi, mandarin oranges, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple, peaches, blueberries)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or to the temperature the pre-made cookie dough states.

2. Press dough into an ungreased pan.  Use a pizza pan for a thinner crust or a glass dish for a thicker crust.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool.

4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until light. (Do this while the crust is baking)

5. Spread cream cheese mixture onto cooled crust leaving 1/2-1 inch of the edge of the crust uncovered. 

6. Arrange fruit over pizza in desired pattern.  This is the fun part.  Depending on the fruit you use, you can do this the night before.  I do know the bananas and apples don’t work to make it the night before.