Sweet Apple Almond Dessert Pizza with Cream Cheese Base
Transform pizza night into dessert with this creative sweet pizza featuring tender apple slices, tangy cream cheese, and sweet apricot preserves on a golden crust. The crumb topping made with brown sugar, flour, and chopped almonds adds delightful texture and nutty flavor. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or when you want to surprise guests with an unexpected treat. This recipe works with either classic or thin crust, making it adaptable to your preference for thickness and baking time.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated Pillsbury Classic Crust Pizza Crust, 13.8 oz
- 1 can refrigerated Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Crust, 11 oz(optional)
- ⅓ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup apricot preserves
- 1 large apple, peeled, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup blanched almonds, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to specified temperature based on crust choice and prepare pan
- 2
Unroll dough in pan and press out to edges
- 3
Spread cream cheese evenly over dough
- 4
Spread preserves over cream cheese layer
- 5
Arrange apple slices over preserves
- 6
Mix flour and brown sugar in small bowl
- 7
Cut butter into flour mixture until resembling coarse crumbs
- 8
Stir almonds into crumb mixture
- 9
Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over apples
- 10
Bake until edges are golden brown
- 11
Cool for 10 minutes before cutting
Tips
Use a pastry blender or two forks to create the perfect crumb texture for the topping - it should look like coarse crumbs, not paste.
Cool the pizza for the full 10 minutes before cutting to prevent the toppings from sliding off and ensure clean slices.
Choose firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape well during baking and won't become mushy.
Good to Know
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Best served at room temperature or slightly warmed.
Can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking. Add 2-3 minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
Serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Cut into squares or triangles for easy serving.
Common Mistakes
Press dough evenly to edges to avoid thick spots that won't cook through
Don't skip cooling time or toppings will slide when cutting
Cut butter into flour mixture properly to avoid greasy topping
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of refrigerated?
Yes, use about 1 pound of homemade dough. Roll it thin and adjust baking time as needed, watching for golden edges.
What if I don't have apricot preserves?
Substitute with peach, strawberry, or orange marmalade. You can also use apple jelly for a more subtle flavor.
How long will this keep and can I freeze it?
Keeps covered in the refrigerator for 3 days. Freezing isn't recommended as the texture changes significantly upon thawing.