CiCi's Cherry Pizza Copycat with Sweet Crumb Topping
A beloved dessert pizza featuring sweet cherry pie filling spread over crispy pizza dough and topped with a buttery brown sugar crumb mixture. This copycat version recreates the popular CiCi's restaurant favorite that bridges the gap between pizza and dessert. Perfect for family gatherings, birthday parties, or when you want to surprise guests with an unexpected sweet treat. The combination of tart cherries and sweet crumbs creates a delightful contrast that appeals to both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough
- 1 20 ounce can cherry pie fillingfresh cherries with sugar2 cups fresh + 1/4 cup sugarsugar-reduced
cook briefly to soften
- ½ cup flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Mix flour, sugar, brown sugar, and salt for crumb topping
- 2
Cut in butter until topping resembles corn meal and set aside
- 3
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
- 4
Spread pizza dough on greased 12 inch pizza pan and prick with fork 8-10 times
- 5
Bake crust for 5 minutes
- 6
Remove pizza dough from oven and spread with cherry pie filling
- 7
Sprinkle with crumb topping
- 8
Bake for additional 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown
Tips
Prick the dough well to prevent puffing during the initial bake, ensuring an even base for toppings.
Let the pizza cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow the cherry filling to set slightly.
Use cold butter and work quickly when making the crumb topping for the best texture.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Best served fresh.
Crumb topping can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated.
Serve warm or at room temperature, cut into wedges like traditional pizza.
Common Mistakes
Avoid overbaking the initial crust to prevent it becoming too hard under the toppings.
Don't skip pricking the dough or it will puff up and create an uneven surface.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
cook briefly to soften
FAQ
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Yes, use 2 cups fresh cherries mixed with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Cook briefly until thickened.
What if I don't have a pizza pan?
Use a large baking sheet or round cake pan. Just ensure the dough fits and has raised edges to hold the filling.
How long will this keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crust may soften slightly but will still taste good.