Dining With A View – Dessert Pizza

Pizza, of any kind, goes over so well in my house.  Whenever I ask “what does everyone want for dinner?”, it’s aways “PIZZA!”, without hesitation and all in unison…including for dessert!  I have several types of pizza’s in my arsenal, including breakfast pizza, just another choice in our Dining With A View series.  Try it for a terrific way to start your day.

But, this isn’t about breakfast pizza, it’s all about dessert pizza!  How can you not love a great dessert pizza?  For me, this is a quick and easy way to throw a dessert together, especially for a larger group.  Yes, you could make cookies, but they will honestly take more time to bake and you’ll spend more time in the kitchen that you could  be spending doing other things, like relaxing on the beach!  A dessert pizza is almost like one big giant cookie that you can slice like a pizza or in squares.  Why not have “pizza night” and stay on theme by serving a great dessert pizza? And, remember, since it’s “pizza” you can eat “dessert” first!

So, come along with me and let’s take pizza night up a notch, to a level that your family and friends will rank at the top of their favorites!

Apple Crisp Pizza

This recipe, featured above, is compliments of Taste of Home.  I’ve tried many others and this is, by far, the best one I’ve ever tried.  Like the recipe says, when it bakes it fills your entire home with it’s aroma and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it!

Ingredients

1. Dough for a single crust pie
2. 2/3 cup sugar
3. 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
4. 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
5. 4 medium baking apples, peeled and cut into 1/2″ slices (to save time, I have substituted one 21-0z can of apple pie filling in lieu of ingredients 2-5, and it turned out just as great)

Topping

1. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2. 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3. 1/3 cup rolled oats
4. 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
5. 1/4 cup butter softened
6. 1/4 to 1/2 cups caramel ice cream topping
7. Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.  On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to fit a 12″ pizza pan; fold under or flute the edge.
2. If making pie topping and not using canned, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon. Add the apples and toss.
3. Arrange the apples in a single layer in a circular pattern to completely cover the crust. Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over apples.
4. Bake until the apples are tender, 35-40 minutes.  If using canned apples, you’ll only need 15-20 minutes or until the pie crust is browned on the edges. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with caramel topping. 
5. Serve warm with ice dream if desired.

Fruit Pizza

Another Taste of Home favorite of mine because, it’s not only delicious, it’s very simple to throw together.  This is a crowd pleaser in my home and I make it often, especially in the summer when fruit is at it’s freshest! You can substitute any fresh fruit for the ones listed here, but I find this an amazing combination. 

Ingredients

1. 1 tube (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
2. 1 pkg (8-oz) cream cheese, softened
3. 1/4 cup confectioners sugar
4. 1 (8-oz) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
5. 2-3 kiwi fruit, peeled and thinly sliced
6. 1-2 firm bananas, sliced
7. 1 can (11-oz) mandarin oranges, drained
8. 1/2 cup red or black grapes, halved (I prefer black)
9. 1/4 cup of sugar
10. 1/4 cup of orange juice
11. 2 Tbsp water
12. 1 Tbsp lemon juice
13. 1-1/2 tsp cornstarch
14. Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Pat the cookie dough onto an ungreased 14″ pizza pan and bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until deep golden brown; cool completely.
2. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioners sugar until smooth then fold in the whipped topping.  Spread over cooled crust and arrange the fruit on top.
3. In a saucepan, bring the sugar, orange juice, water, lemon juice, cornstarch and salt to a boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Cool and then brush over the fruit. Chill and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

For these recipes and many more, like a fruity brownie pizza or a bourbon pumpkin dessert pizza, go to Taste of Home.  You’ll find one you love there for sure!

Frozen Ice Cream Pizza

I found this recipe on The Recipe Rebel while looking for a no bake frozen dessert for my son’s birthday.  I wanted to make a cake, but then again, I wanted something to WOW, something different, and something COLD because he has an August birthday. This didn’t disappoint and there was nothing left on the plate (or should I say pizza pan?) after the party! Admittedly, we had to eat it fast before it melted, but that WASN’T a problem!

Ingredients

1. 25 Oreos
2. 1/2 cup + 2 TBSP thick hot fudge sauce
3. 2-3 cups vanilla ice cream (or any flavor your heart desires)
4. 2/3 cup of M&M’s, roughly chopped

Directions

1. In a food processor, process Oreos until no chunks remain. Add 1/2 cup of the hot fudge sauce and process until it comes together, almost like a dough. Hint: If you don’t have a food processor, place in a large ziplock bag and crush until you get most of the chunks out.  Personally, I prefer a few chunks every now and then.
2. Press the Oreo mixture onto a 12″ pizza pan (lined with wax paper if desired) and place in the freezer to set.
3. Place your ice cream in a bowl and let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes until slightly soft and just spreadable.
4. Remove the crust from the freezer and spread on the ice cream.
5. Swirl with remaining hot fudge and sprinkle with the M&M’s.  Freeze until firm.  Serve immediately upon removing from the freezer–the ice cream layer is thin, so it will melt quickly!

Helpful hint: After you freeze until firm, remove and cut into pieces then put back in the freezer.  That way, when you’re ready to serve it, the slices are ready to grab before they have a chance to melt.

Gluten-Free Fruit Pizza

I haven’t forgotten about those that have gluten allergies or prefer gluten-free options.  This dessert pizza, is perfect for any occasion (especially beach excursions) and I found this on The Savory Celiac website. It only takes about 20 minutes to prep and a 15 minute cook time, so in less than a half an hour you’ll be eating dessert!