Did someone say pizza for dessert? Count me in. This recipe features a rich, chocolaty gluten-free, vegan brownie crust topped with a dairy-free cream cheese frosting and an abundant layer of fresh fruit.
I’ve wondered why it took me so long to make a dessert pizza — it’s brilliant. Everyone loves pizza, so why not serve pizza as a sweet finish? Dessert pizzas often use a sugar cookie base, but I opted for a brownie crust because when given a choice, I usually reach for chocolate.
One of the best discoveries while making this gluten-free vegan brownie fruit pizza is how straightforward it is. The batter is baked in a pizza pan, and once cooled you spread a simple dairy-free cream cheese frosting over the crust. Top with a selection of fresh fruit for a colorful, impressive dessert. I used a mix of seasonal berries and sliced kiwi — the contrast of berries and green kiwi is especially pretty.
This dessert is lovely for a casual brunch with friends or as a centerpiece for an Easter or spring celebration. It slices easily and is designed to be served chilled, which makes it a convenient make-ahead option for gatherings.
- brownie crust
- 1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate chips, melted
- 3/4 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 cup quality cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup grape seed or sunflower oil
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups Sarah’s gluten-free flour blend
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- cream cheese frosting
- 8 ounces dairy-free cream cheese (choose your preferred brand)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- fresh fruit
- 1/3 cup each fresh blackberries, raspberries, blueberries
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/3 cup peeled and sliced kiwi
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 14-inch pizza pan with nonstick spray.
- Melt the chocolate chips and place them in a large mixing bowl. Add the cane sugar, cocoa powder, oil, maple syrup, warm water, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Mix in the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, and salt. Stir until you have a smooth batter.
- Press the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pizza pan. Bake 15–17 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is no longer jiggly. Allow the crust to cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together the dairy-free cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
- Once the brownie crust is completely cool, spread an even layer of frosting over the top. Arrange the fresh fruit decoratively over the frosting.
- Refrigerate the finished pizza until ready to serve. Slice and serve chilled.