This Cherry Dessert Pizza is my perfected crust from my Cactus Bread (another dessert pizza you will have to try), topped with cherry pie filling, a buttery crumble topping, and a sweet glaze. I love a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but it is also delicious on its own! If you love this Cherry Dessert Pizza, you’ll definitely want to try my Apple Dessert Pizza as well!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Crust: This crust is a modified version of my focaccia bread (which you will have to try separately, it’s so good)! I just left out the garlic and Italian seasoning, and it works SO well with all of my dessert pizzas! And trust me, I tried a few different crust recipes until I got it just right!
- Cherry Pie Filling: Cherry pie filling is spread evenly over a mixture of melted butter and granulated sugar. For the most flavor, make homemade cherry pie filling–it’s so good! If making homemade, you will need about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of pie filling (about the amount of a 21-ounce can).
- Crumble Topping: The crumble topping (maybe my favorite part of the dessert pizza) is the same topping I used on my Blueberry Lemon Loaf. (Pssst…that loaf is delicious, too!)
- Glaze: The glaze is a simple, 3-ingredient glaze made with confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract. I prefer whole milk but use what you have on hand. You can add more milk, if needed until it reaches your desired consistency. If you don’t have almond extract, you can leave it out; I just like that added almond flavor that goes so well with cherries.
Can I use Store-Bought Pizza Dough?
Yes, you can use store-bought dough, or I have a pizza dough recipe you could use. Bake the dough for 6 minutes, following the temperature on the package instructions. Then, take it out of the oven and add the toppings. Put it back in the oven and bake for another 12 minutes, or until the crust is fully cooked. Let it cool for a few minutes before adding the glaze.
Can I Use Different Fruit Fillings For Dessert Pizza?
Absolutely! You can definitely use a different type of fruit filling for the pizza. Some popular choices would be apple pie filling (which I use in my apple dessert pizza), blueberry pie filling (found in my No Bake Blueberry Pie), or peach filling! Let me know what your favorite is!
Can I Use A Different Pan?
Sure! If you don’t have a pizza pan, a 9×13-inch baking dish would work just fine, too. Or, for a more rustic presentation, use an oven-safe skillet like a cast iron skillet. You could get by with a 9×11-inch baking dish, but the crust will be extra thick. (It is already pretty thick, which I am not complaining about!) If using a different pan, adjust baking times as needed.
How To Store Cherry Dessert Pizza
Dessert pizza is best enjoyed warm, soon after it has been baked. But, it’s easy to reheat leftovers, so don’t let them go to waste! To store cherry dessert pizza, first, let it cool to room temperature. Next, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Or, freeze for up to 2-3 months. I like to reheat the dessert pizza in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. Or, you can warm up a slice in the microwave.
Cherry Dessert Pizza
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup (237 g) water, warmed (about 105°-110°F)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup (75 g) vegetable oil, divided
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling, or homemade (about 2 cups)
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted, cooled slightly
Glaze
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
Crust
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes, or until the yeast begins to bloom and become foamy.
- Pour half of the oil into the yeast mixture, setting aside the remaining oil for later.
- Add the flour and salt. Stir until the dough starts to come together. It should form a soft, sticky dough.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl. Cover it and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- When ready, preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a 12-inch pizza pan with parchment paper.
- Pour the remaining oil onto the prepared pizza pan. Transfer the risen dough to the pan and use your fingers to press it out to the edges, creating dimples in the surface of the dough with your fingertips.
- Bake the dough for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Topping
- While the crust is baking, in a small bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Stir until well combined.
- Once the crust is out of the oven, brush the entire surface with the butter and sugar mixture, making sure to coat evenly. Spread the cherry pie filling over the crust in an even layer. Set aside.
Crumble Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms clumps.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling, making sure to cover it to the edges.
- Place the pizza back in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown.
Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm cherry dessert pizza.
- Let the pizza cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This is a delicious treat that would be perfect for any occasion! Pretty simple to make, and so good!
Elizabeth
I think this is my favorite dessert pizza we have made (and I love them all)! There is just something about cherry pie filling that I can't get enough of!
Bella
This is fantastic! The cherry topping is the star, and the crumble topping adds just the right amount of sweetness and texture.
Annabelle
Absolutely delicious, especially if you love cherry pie.
Selena
This cherry dessert pizza is a hit! The crust is perfectly chewy, and the cherry filling is both sweet and tart. The crumble topping is deliciously crumbly, and the glaze is a great addition.
