Brunch Berry Pizza

Ingredients:
Crust:
1 C all-purpose flour
1/4 C confectioner’s sugar
1/2 C cold butter (1 stick), cubed
1/2 C chopped pecans or almonds
Cream Cheese Topping:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 C sugar
Berry Topping:
1-3/4 C frozen mixed berries, thawed
1/2 C sugar
2 T cornstarch
1/4 cup water
2-1/2 C fresh strawberries, sliced
2 C fresh blackberries
2 C fresh raspberries
1 C fresh blueberries 

Directions:
1.    In a bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Press into an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan or cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until crust is set and edges are lightly browned.  This step can be done the day prior.
2.    Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat cream cheese, egg and sugar until smooth. Spread over crust. Bake 8-10 minutes longer or until set. Cool to room temperature.
3.    For topping, process mixed berries and sugar in a blender or food processor until blended. In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Add mixed berry mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Set mixture aside to cool, stirring frequently.
4.    Spread berry mixture over the cream cheese layer. Arrange fresh fruit on top. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing.
 

Story:

This recipe for "Brunch Berry Pizza" is a cool and beautiful red, white, and blue dessert for guests that suits any special holiday or gathering.  Berries are a nutrient dense summer treat and affordable, especially if you know someone with some bushes!  This past winter when my daughter and her husband moved to the country, no one knew that there were canes of raspberries plus some strawberry plants under the snow!  We are helping tend to them in hopes for some great fruit as summer continues.  I remember fondly my grandmother's raspberry bushes, making jam, Mom's favorite raspberry pie and the thorny blackberry hunts we cousins made in the township near by Auntie's house.  Do you have some "berry" good memories?

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