Pizza Sugar Cookies
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Today, I have another fun recipe to make with the kids this summer. These Pizza Sugar Cookies start with Swig-style sugar cookies and get decorated to look like mini pizzas. They may look savory, but every part of them is sweet, making them a fun surprise to serve.
To create that pizza look, the frosting is tinted red to resemble pizza sauce. For the cheese, I like to use shredded coconut because I think it gives the most realistic look. If coconut isn’t a favorite at your house, you can easily swap it for grated white candy coating or white chocolate.
For the toppings, I use red DOTS gummy candies to make the pepperoni. Just slice each one widthwise with kitchen shears to get four little “pepperoni” pieces from each, then toss them in a bit of granulated sugar so the cut sides are no longer sticky. For the “green peppers”, slice the green DOTS lengthwise into three strips, then cut each strip into three smaller pieces. Those get a toss in sugar too for the same reason.
I also like to add red and brown mini M&M’s as extra toppings. The brown ones look a little like olives, and the red ones look like tiny pepperoni pieces. Regular M&M’s will work too, but I really like the look of the mini ones because they fit the cookies better and help them look more like little pizzas.
If you are not a fan of Swig-style sugar cookies, you can always use my easy sugar cookie recipe as the crust instead. Another fun option is to use my giant sugar cookie recipe and turn it into one big dessert pizza. Either way, these cookies are such a fun summer baking project and a great one to make with kids.
Ingredients for Pizza Sugar Cookies
- BUTTER – Butter adds rich flavor and helps give the cookies a soft, tender texture. It is also used in the frosting to create that smooth, creamy finish.
- CANOLA OIL – Canola oil helps make the cookies extra soft and keeps them moist. It is one of the ingredients that gives these cookies that tender, bakery-style texture.
- GRANULATED SUGAR – Granulated sugar sweetens the cookies and helps give them structure. It also works with the butter and oil to create a soft, chewy texture. A little extra sugar is also used to coat the cut candy pieces so they are less sticky.
- POWDERED SUGAR – Powdered sugar is in both the cookies and the frosting. In the cookie dough, it helps create a softer texture, and in the frosting, it gives that smooth sweetness and spreadable consistency.
- WATER – The small amount of water helps bring the dough together and blends in with the other ingredients for the right consistency.
- ALMOND EXTRACT – Almond extract adds a sweet, bakery-style flavor that makes these cookies especially delicious. It is one of the flavors that gives them that classic sugar cookie taste.
- EGGS – Eggs help hold the dough together and add structure, richness, and moisture to the cookies.
- BAKING SODA – Baking soda helps the cookies rise just a little and contributes to their soft texture.
- CREAM OF TARTAR – Cream of tartar gives sugar cookies their classic soft texture and slight tang. It also works with the baking soda to help with the texture of the cookies.
- SALT – Salt balances the sweetness and helps bring out the flavor of the other ingredients. Even in sweet recipes, it makes a big difference.
- FLOUR – Flour is the main structure-building ingredient in the cookies. It gives the dough body and helps create the soft cookie base.
- LIGHT SOUR CREAM – Light sour cream adds creaminess and a slight tang to the frosting. It also helps make the frosting extra soft and smooth.
- POWDERED SUGAR – Powdered sugar sweetens the frosting and gives it the right thickness for spreading on the cookies.
- VANILLA EXTRACT – Vanilla adds warm, sweet flavor to the frosting and helps round out the taste.
- RED FOOD COLORING – Red food coloring gives the frosting that pizza-sauce look, which is what makes these cookies so fun and festive.
Pizza Sugar Cookies Toppings and Decorations
- SHREDDED COCONUT – Shredded coconut works great for the “cheese” on the pizza cookies. It gives the cookies a realistic pizza look and adds a little extra sweetness and texture.
- WHITE CANDY COATING OR WHITE CHOCOLATE – If you do not want to use coconut, grated white candy coating or white chocolate makes a great substitute for the cheese. It still gives the cookies that fun pizza look while keeping everything sweet.
- RED DOTS – Red DOTS candies are used to make the “pepperoni” toppings. When sliced into smaller pieces, they look just like little rounds of pepperoni on top of the cookies.
- GREEN DOTS – Green DOTS candies are used to make the “green pepper” toppings. Once sliced into strips and smaller pieces, they add color and make the cookies look even more like mini pizzas.
- SUGAR – A little granulated sugar is used to toss the cut DOTS pieces in after slicing. This keeps the sticky cut edges from sticking together and makes them easier to place on the cookies.
- RED MINI M&M CANDIES – /Red mini M&M’s can be used as extra pizza toppings and look like tiny little pepperoni pieces. They add both color and a fun candy crunch.
- BROWN MINI M&M CANDIES – Brown mini M&M’s look a little like olives, making them another fun topping for the pizza cookie theme. They help add more variety and make the cookies look extra cute.
Instructions for Sugar Cookie Pizzas
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, canola oil, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, water, and almond extract until smooth and well combined. Add the eggs and mix again until everything is fully incorporated.
Next, mix in the baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Once those are combined, add the flour and mix just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
Shape the dough into golf ball-size balls and place 6 to 8 on a baking sheet, depending on the size of your pan. Dip the bottom of a drinking glass in sugar, then use it to press each dough ball down until it is about 1/2 inch thick. This also helps create those classic crinkly edges.
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. They can be a little tricky because they will still look pale when they are done. They will not really brown, but they should look set and firm. Be careful not to overbake them. Let the cookies cool, then refrigerate them if you want that classic chilled Swig-style texture.
To make the frosting, beat together the butter, sour cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and red food coloring with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. If needed, you can add a little milk to loosen the frosting, but you may not need any. Spread the frosting over the chilled cookies.
Time to Decorate
For the toppings, use kitchen shears to slice each red DOTS candy widthwise into four little “pepperoni” pieces. Place a little granulated sugar in a bowl and toss the cut pieces in it so the sticky sides are easier to handle. For the “green peppers,” slice the green DOTS lengthwise into three strips, then cut each strip into three smaller pieces. Toss those in sugar as well.
To decorate, sprinkle the shredded coconut or grated white chocolate over the red frosting to create the cheese. Then add the candy toppings to make each cookie look like a mini pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought sugar cookie dough?
Yes. If you want to save time, store-bought sugar cookie dough can work well for this recipe. Homemade cookies will usually give the best flavor, but either option can be used.
Do I have to use Swig-style sugar cookies?
No. Swig-style sugar cookies are a fun option, but you can also use a classic sugar cookie recipe if you prefer.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes. Store-bought frosting will work if you want a shortcut. You will just need to tint it red for the pizza sauce look.
What can I use instead of coconut for the cheese?
If you do not want to use coconut, grated white candy coating or white chocolate works great as a substitute.
Can kids help decorate these cookies?
Yes. This is a great recipe for kids to help with since the decorating is simple, fun, and creative.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. You can bake the cookies ahead of time and decorate them later, or make the full cookies in advance if needed.
How should I store pizza sugar cookies?
Store them in an airtight container once the frosting has set. If stacked, place parchment or wax paper between layers.
Can I make one large pizza cookie instead of mini cookies?
Yes. You can use a giant sugar cookie recipe and decorate it like one big dessert pizza if you want a different presentation.
Do I have to use mini M&M’s?
No. Regular M&M’s will work too, but mini M&M’s usually look a little more realistic as pizza toppings.
Are these good for parties?
Yes. These cookies are perfect for summer parties, pizza-themed parties, kids’ birthdays, or fun family baking days.
Tips and Tricks
- Cool the cookies completely first. This makes decorating much easier.
- Use a deep red frosting. It gives the best pizza sauce look.
- Use shredded coconut or white candy coating for the cheese. Both give the cookies that fun pizza appearance.
- Cut the DOTS with kitchen shears and toss them in sugar. This makes the candy toppings easier to work with.
- Use mini M&M’s and simple toppings. They help the cookies look like mini pizzas without too much extra work.
- Keep the toppings simple. You do not need too many decorations to get the pizza look. A few candy toppings go a long way.
- Make the cookies ahead and decorate later. Baking the cookies ahead of time makes the project easier if you want to break it up into steps.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Easy Flower Sugar Cookies
- Red, White, and Blue Cookie Tarts
- Easy S’mores Cookies
- Easy Flag Fruit Pizza
Pizza Sugar Cookies
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- ¾ cup canola oil
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp salt
- 5 ½ cups flour
Frosting:
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ cup light sour cream
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- red food coloring
Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded coconut or grated white candy coating or white chocolate if don’t like coconut
- DOTS gummy candies red and green ones, from a movie sized box
- ⅛ cup granulated sugar
- mini M&M's red and brown ones
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, cream together the butter, canola oil, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, water, and almond extract. Then add in eggs and blend to combine.
- Add in the baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Blend to combine.
- Then add in flour and blend just until combined.
- Shape dough into golf ball-sized balls. Place 6-8 on your cookie sheet depending on the size of the sheet. Then dip the bottom of a drinking glass in sugar and then press the golf ball-sized dough down until about 1/2 inch thick, and the edges get that crinkly effect.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. This is a little tricky because the cookie will look underdone. They really don't get any color to them. They will just look firm. Do not overbake.
- Allow cookies to cool, then refrigerate for true Swig style.
- For the frosting, cream the butter, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla together until well blended. If you need to you can add a little milk if needed. I didn’t think it needed any.
- Spread frosting over chilled cookies.
- For the toppings, sIice each of the red DOTS widthwise with kitchen shears to get four little “pepperoni” pieces from each. Then add a little granulated sugar to a bowl and toss so the cut sides are no longer sticky. For the "green peppers", slice the green DOTS lengthwise into three strips, then cut each strip into three smaller pieces. Toss these in the sugar too. Sprinkle the coconut or white chocolate over the frosting to create the cheese. Then use the candies to decorate the pizza with the candy toppings. Make 2 dozen cookies.
Nutrition
This recipe is inspired by Kelly Gene.
