Homemade Cherry Dessert Pizza

This homemade cherry dessert pizza is made with a buttery yeast dough, cherry pie filling, streusel topping and drizzled with a sweet icing. 

A FAMILY FAVORITE DESSERT

Dessert pizzas are one of my favorite desserts to make. It can be made pretty quickly and is so easy to share. Plus, it's easily customizable to whatever flavors you enjoy. You can even do a half and half dessert pizza to change it up!

TIPS FOR MAKING THIS SWEET DESSERT PIZZA:

• The dough will not rise much during the resting, this is ok.  The reason for resting is to make the dough stretchier and easier to roll.  It will rise in the oven.
• If you don’t want to make your own dough you could use a pre-made pizza crust (like I do in my APPLE DESSERT PIZZA RECIPE) or frozen pizza dough.
• This can be made on a baking sheet instead of a pizza pan.
• Almonds can be omitted from topping if desired.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer you can simply mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon and once it starts to come together, turn it out to a floured surface and knead until smooth.
• Pizza should be almost cool before adding the icing drizzle or it will melt and soak in.
• If in a rush, you can let the dough rest for just 10 minutes before rolling.  It won’t be quite as flaky, but it will still work.
• Any pie filling can be used instead of cherry.
• Brown sugar can be used for streusel topping.
• This pizza will keep for about 2 days after baking. It should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

• milk
• salted butter
• granulated sugar
• salt
• instant dry yeast
• all-purpose flour
• cherry pie filling
• large egg
• ground cinnamon
• sliced almonds
• powdered sugar

HOW TO MAKE CHERRY DESSERT PIZZA:

To make the pizza:
Place the milk and butter in a small pot and heat just until butter is melted.  Alternatively, you can use the microwave for about 40 seconds. Place the warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer and add the sugar, yeast, salt and flour.

With a dough hook attached, turn on the mixer and mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball. 

Turn it onto a floured surface and knead 3-4 times, just enough to smooth it out. Return to the bowl, cover and let rest 30 minutes. While the dough is resting you can make the streusel topping.

To make the streusel topping:
In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon and butter, then work the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingers until it resembles crumbs. Stir in the sliced almonds.

To assemble:
Preheat oven to 400F degrees. When the dough has finished resting, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a 12-inch circle.

Spray a baking sheet or pizza pan with non-stick spray. If you are using a seasoned pizza stone you can skip this step. Move the dough to the pizza pan.

Spread the cherry pie filling over the dough leaving about 1-inch around the edge.

Brush the bare edge with the beaten egg, then sprinkle the streusel over the top of the pizza.

Place on center rack of the oven and bake 25-30 minutes until edge of dough is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding icing.

To make the icing drizzle:
Mix the powdered sugar and cream in a small bowl until smooth. 

Drizzle icing on top of the cooled pizza, cut into slices and serve.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!

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