Description
This Caramel Apple Dessert Pizza combines a buttery sugar cookie crust with a creamy cream cheese layer, topped with warm, cinnamon-spiced caramel apples. Perfect as a sweet treat for gatherings, this decadent dessert blends the flavors of fall in a fun and shareable pizza form.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 16 ounces refrigerated sugar cookie dough
Apple Topping
- 2 apples, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, plus more for drizzle
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 12-inch pizza pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Form crust: Press the refrigerated sugar cookie dough evenly into the prepared pizza pan, sealing any seams by pressing with your fingers to create a uniform crust.
- Bake crust: Bake the cookie dough for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the crust is cooked through.
- Cool crust: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Allow the crust to cool completely for about 1 hour to set before adding toppings.
- Cook apple topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine diced apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir frequently until apples soften and the mixture starts to boil.
- Thicken apple mixture: Whisk cornstarch with water until smooth, then stir it into the apple mixture quickly to avoid lumps.
- Add caramel and simmer: Stir in 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce and simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens and apples become tender. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare cream cheese layer: Just before assembling the pizza, beat together cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble dessert pizza: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled cookie crust to form a smooth layer.
- Add toppings and serve: Spoon the caramel apple topping over the cream cheese layer evenly. Drizzle additional caramel sauce on top for extra sweetness. Slice the dessert pizza and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using refrigerated sugar cookie dough saves time and provides a buttery, tender crust.
- Allowing the crust to cool completely before adding the cream cheese layer prevents melting and ensures clean layers.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance with the caramel sweetness.
- For easier cornstarch mixing, always dissolve cornstarch in cold water before adding to hot mixtures.
- Leftover dessert pizza can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.
