Healthy ‘American’ pie

There are loads of ideas for fun 4th of July activities and crafts for families online. Most of the desserts, though, contain lots of sugar and food coloring. This one is full of fruit, whole grains and uses less refined sugar. Happy 4th! Enjoy!

FRUIT PIZZA ‘AMERICAN PIE’
For the crust:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter, brown sugar, sugar, vanilla and milk and mix well.

If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 20 minutes or more. Roll the dough into a large ball and flatten out on a greased baking sheet until it’s about 1/2-inch thick and in the shape of a rectangle or oval. Bake for 15-17 minutes and then let cool on a wire rack.

For the ‘sauce’ and toppings:
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 Tbs. maple syrup
1 pint blueberries
1 sliced banana
1 pint sliced strawberries

Combine cream cheese and maple syrup well and spread over cooled crust. Add the blueberries in the top left corner and then fill the rest of the cookie with banana and strawberry slices.

For the glaze (optional but yummy):
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. corn starch

Combine the OJ and maple syrup in a bowl and then slowly add the corn starch while whisking. Drizzle the mixture over the flag and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more.