Fantastic Fruit Pizza

My favorite "weather is getting warmer" dessert is by far this recipe for fantastic Fruit Pizza. This recipe has been in my family for as long as I can remember. I'm not much of a dessert person, but this dessert I could eat for my meal and then again for dessert. Plus, I find something very calming and exciting in arranging the fruit into fun patterns (strange, I know). This recipe could easily be made vegan with butter and cream cheese substitutes. Here's the recipe:

Crust:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup ground nuts (I usually use almonds or walnuts)

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Pat onto a lightly greased pizza sized circle pan or small cookie sheet. Put into the oven to bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (or until edges turn a very light brown).

While the crust is cooling, begin to mix the filling. Wait to spread filling until crust has completely cooled.

Filling:

• 8 ounces softened cream cheese block
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until soft and smooth. Spread the filling across the crust from end to end so that it is nice and even.

Fruit Topping:

• Cut up your favorite fruit and add on top of filling.
• The only fruit I would stay away from is bananas and apples since they tend to go brown once cut.
  

Glaze Topping (optional, but highly recommended):

• 1 cup fruit juice (in my experience apple and orange taste the best and work the best)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch

Make sure your fruit is ready before you start the glaze, since it needs to be poured over the top of the fruit while still warm so it doesn't set in the pan! In a medium sized saucepan pour in 1 cup fruit juice. Turn burner onto a medium heat, slowly stir in the sugar and cornstarch. Keep stirring until it gets a syrupy texture and turns somewhat clear. Then while it is still warm, pour glaze and smooth over fruit.

Let your pizza set in the fridge for at least a half hour, then cut, serve and enjoy!