Apple Pizza Dessert with a Buttery Crumble Topping

Oh, how I adore desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face, especially when they evoke those cherished feelings of home and comfort! This incredible Apple Pizza Dessert with its buttery crumble topping is truly a masterpiece that delivers on all fronts. Imagine a tender, sweet shortbread crust, brimming with spiced, juicy apples, all crowned with a golden, irresistible oat crumble. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that feels both familiar and wonderfully special, making it a truly magical treat for any occasion.

My grandmother always had a way of turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary, and I remember countless afternoons by her side, learning the joy of a perfect apple pie. Over the years, I’ve experimented with those classic flavors, seeking new ways to share that same warmth and delight. This dessert pizza is a beautiful result of that journey, capturing the essence of a cozy apple pie but with a fun, shareable twist that’s perfect for gathering loved ones.

It’s truly a perfect recipe because it’s surprisingly straightforward to bake, yet it always impresses. This Apple Pizza Dessert is wonderfully family-friendly, perfect for busy weeknights or special celebrations, bringing everyone together around a sweet memory in the making. My best tip for any apple dessert is to taste your apples before baking – their sweetness can vary, and a little adjustment to sugar can make all the difference!

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Crafting this delightful dessert means gathering a few simple, wholesome ingredients. We’re talking about sweet, crisp apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and the richness of butter and oats for that dreamy crumble. It’s a treat that comes together beautifully with staples you likely have on hand. Every time I bake, I always reach for good quality butter, as it truly makes all the difference in the flavor and texture of this Apple Pizza Dessert. You’ll find the full list of ingredients and precise measurements in the recipe card just below.

How to Make Apple Pizza Dessert

Making this Apple Pizza Dessert is a wonderfully rewarding process, much like creating any cherished memory in the kitchen. We start by pressing our buttery shortbread crust into a pizza pan, followed by layering a perfectly spiced apple filling, and finally, showering it with a delightful crumbly oat topping. It all comes together in the oven, baking to golden perfection, filling your home with an aroma that’s simply irresistible.

Caramel Apple Crumble Dessert Pizza

Indulge in this delightful dessert pizza featuring a buttery shortbread crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, a crunchy oat crumble, and a luscious caramel drizzle. A perfect sweet treat for any occasion!

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Shortbread Crust

• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter cold, cut into cubes (1/2 cup)

For the Apple Filling

• 4 medium apples Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the Crumble Topping

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
• 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter cold, cut into small pieces (1/2 stick)

For the Caramel Drizzle (Optional)

• 1/4 cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade

Equipment

• 9 or 10-inch round pizza pan
• Large mixing bowls
• Small mixing bowls
• Vegetable peeler
• Paring knife
• Pastry blender or fork
• Whisk
• Spatula

Method

 

Prepare the Shortbread Crust

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9 or 10-inch round pizza pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Mix well.
3. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the prepared pizza pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.

Prepare the Apple Filling

1. While the crust is baking, prepare the apple filling. In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Toss gently until the apples are evenly coated.

Prepare the Crumble Topping

1. In a separate small bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup rolled oats, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Mix well.
2. Add the cold, small pieces of butter to the dry crumble mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Assemble and Bake

1. Spread the apple filling evenly over the pre-baked shortbread crust.
2. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crumble topping is golden brown and crispy. If the topping browns too quickly, you can lightly tent it with aluminum foil.
4. Remove the apple pizza from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the filling to set.

Serve

1. Before serving, drizzle generously with caramel sauce, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

For best results, use firm apples that hold their shape well during baking. Leftovers can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave if desired.

Pro Tips for Making This Apple Pizza Dessert

Creating this delightful Apple Pizza Dessert can be an even more joyous experience with a few insights I’ve picked up along my baking journey. These little tricks can truly elevate your results and ensure every slice is pure bliss.

Perfect Textures

My Secret Trick: I always make sure my butter for the shortbread crust and crumble topping is perfectly chilled and cut into small pieces. This ensures a truly tender, flaky crust and a wonderfully crumbly topping that doesn’t melt too quickly, giving you those delightful pockets of buttery goodness.

When mixing your crumble topping, don’t overwork it! I gently combine the ingredients with my fingertips until just combined. You want varying sizes of crumbs for that beautiful, rustic texture.

Baking Made Easy

I always recommend peeling and coring your apples and then cutting them into uniform, thin slices. This ensures they cook evenly and become perfectly tender without becoming mushy. A little bit of lemon juice tossed with the apples also keeps them from browning and brightens their flavor beautifully in this Apple Pizza Dessert.

Another tip I swear by is to pre-bake the shortbread crust slightly before adding the apple filling. This helps prevent a soggy bottom and ensures your crust is wonderfully crisp and golden, providing a sturdy base for all that delicious apple goodness.

Fun Variations for Apple Pizza Dessert

One of the greatest joys of baking is letting your creativity shine, and this Apple Pizza Dessert is a wonderful canvas for imaginative twists! I love helping fellow home bakers embrace their inner artist in the kitchen.

Seasonal Swirls

Feel free to swap out some of the apples for other seasonal fruits! My friend, who adores berries, often asks me to add a handful of fresh cranberries or blackberries to the apple filling during their season. It adds a lovely tartness and a beautiful burst of color to the Apple Pizza Dessert.

Nutty Additions

For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, try adding about half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to your crumble topping. This gives a delightful nutty contrast to the sweet apples and buttery crust, making it even more irresistible for those who love a bit of texture.

Caramel and Cream Dream

After baking, once the dessert pizza has cooled slightly, a generous drizzle of extra caramel sauce (beyond what’s in the recipe!) is always a crowd-pleaser. For an ultimate indulgence, my sister loves when I finish her slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

What to Serve With Apple Pizza Dessert

This beautiful Apple Pizza Dessert is a star all on its own, but sometimes a little accompaniment can make the experience even more delightful, transforming it into a complete moment of sweet bliss.

I simply adore serving this warm with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy ice cream melting into the warm, spiced apples and buttery crust is a match made in heaven that truly elevates the flavors.

For a comforting evening treat, my mom always enjoys a slice with a steaming mug of hot apple cider, especially when the weather turns crisp. It’s a wonderful way to amplify those cozy, autumnal notes.

You could also offer a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant finish, or even a side of slightly sweetened whipped cream. For a quick serving idea, I often prepare small bowls of each topping and let everyone customize their own slice. This Apple Pizza Dessert pairs beautifully with so many simple delights.

How to Store Apple Pizza Dessert

After all the love you’ve poured into baking this incredible Apple Pizza Dessert, you’ll want to make sure any leftovers stay just as delicious! Proper storage is key to preserving those wonderful flavors and textures.

Refrigerator Storage

Once cooled completely, I like to store any leftover slices of this Apple Pizza Dessert in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for up to 3-4 days. This helps to keep the crust from getting soggy and the apples fresh.

Reheating for Freshness

To enjoy a slice that tastes almost as good as fresh from the oven, I recommend reheating it gently. You can warm individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or for a crispier crust, pop them in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. A light dusting of powdered sugar after reheating truly brings it back to life!

Nutritional Benefits

While this Apple Pizza Dessert is undeniably a treat for the soul, it also boasts some lovely natural goodness! The star of the show, apples, bring a healthy dose of dietary fiber and essential vitamins. Combined with the wholesome oats in the crumble, it’s a dessert that offers a satisfying touch of nourishment alongside its sweet indulgence, proving that a treat can be both delightful and contribute to a well-rounded palette.

FAQs

Faq 1

Can I make the apple filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the apple filling a day in advance! Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This can help streamline your baking process when you’re ready to assemble your delicious Apple Pizza Dessert.

Faq 2

What kind of apples are best for this recipe?
I love using a mix of sweet and tart apples for this Apple Pizza Dessert, like Granny Smith combined with Honeycrisp or Gala. This blend offers a beautiful depth of flavor that really shines in baked desserts.

Faq 3

Can I freeze leftover Apple Pizza Dessert?
While you can, the texture of the crumble topping can soften upon thawing. If you choose to freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Reheat from frozen in the oven for best results.

Faq 4

How can I make the crust gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free Apple Pizza Dessert, you can substitute the all-purpose flour in the shortbread crust with a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free as well.

Conclusion

Baking this Apple Pizza Dessert is more than just following a recipe; it’s about crafting moments, sharing smiles, and filling your home with the most inviting aromas. With its tender crust, spiced apple filling, and irresistible buttery crumble, it’s a dessert that truly embodies the joy of homemade goodness. I encourage you to gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and experience the simple magic of creating a sweet treat that will surely become a cherished memory. Here at recipesdessert.net, we believe every dessert made with love brings people together, and this beautiful Apple Pizza Dessert is no exception!