Caramel Apple Pizza

Overhead pic of the caramel apple dessert pizza

Caramel Apple Pizza is a dessert pizza with a sugar cookie crust, apple spice sweetened cream cheese layer, and topped with fresh apples, pecans, and caramel. It's the iconic dessert - caramel apples - in a pizza.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword caramel apple pizza

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 370kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 tube (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 bar (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon apple pie spice
2 Granny Smith apples
1/4 cup chopped pecans
caramel sauce or caramel syrup

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350℉. Lightly spray a 12-inch round pizza pan with cooking spray.
Slice the sugar cookie dough roll into 1/4-inch slices and lay them over the pizza pan, then press them evenly together on the pizza pan to form the crust.
1 tube (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. When done baking, remove from the oven and place it onto a wire rack to let it cool completely before continuing and adding the toppings.
In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and apple pie spice until smooth and fluffy; about 1-2 minutes.
1 bar (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pizza crust.
Core the apples and then cut them into small chunks or thin slices. Evenly spread the apples over top the cream cheese layer.
^{*You can peel the apple skin off or leave it on, just depends on preference.}
2 Granny Smith apples
Top with the chopped pecans and drizzle the caramel sauce over top. Serve immediately to prevent the apples from getting brown and the crust from getting soggy. Enjoy!
1/4 cup chopped pecans, caramel sauce or caramel syrup

Notes

Apples : Green Granny Smith apples are the best to use because they have a tart and crisp flavor, which is the perfect balance to the sweet dessert pizza and soft sugar cookie crust. You could substitute with another tart apple (such as Pink Lady or Gala) but I think the Granny Smith apples tastes the best and tastes more like a caramel apple.

Leftovers : If you've got leftovers, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll stay fresh for about 2 days - after that, the apples will start to look a little sad. To slow the process of the apples browning, try soaking the cut apples in lemon juice water (pat them dry with paper towels) before placing them on the pizza.

Make-Ahead Instructions : If you want to make it ahead, bake the cookie crust a day in advance and store it (covered) at room temperature. Mix the cream cheese layer and keep it chilled separately in an airtight container. Assemble the pizza and toppings right before serving to keep the apples from browning and the crust from getting soggy.

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