Apple Pizza

This is a delicious and *healthy* dessert.  Okay, yes, I believe that if there is fruit, it's healthy.  Just because there's sugar and cream cheese and all that other stuff doesn't change the fact that it's good for you.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

I actually have lots of pictures of this one, so I can show it to you step by step and also at the very bottom there are the actual directions :)

This is a soft homemade pizza crust with a cream cheese spread and apple slices and topped with a crumb topping.  Very yummy.

First, the crust!  

To make the dough, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in an electric mixer with the dough hook.  Then add in the oil, salt and half the flour.  Once the flour is completely incorporated, slowly add in the rest until it's completely mixed in, adding additional flour if necessary.  

Mix for 5 minutes until the dough does not stick to the bowl. Spray the bowl with cooking spray to prevent dough from drying out and cover with a towel to let it rise while you prepare everything else.

For the Apple Topping: Whisk the flour, sugar and cinnamon together in a medium saucepan.  Add the butter and apples.  Heat until it boils and then reduce to simmer until the apple mixture is tender.  Set aside to cool. 

For the Cream Cheese mixture: Combine cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and nutmeg in a bowl and beat until it's smooth. 

Combine the crumb topping ingredients until mixed and crumbly

Once the dough has fully risen it will be 2-3 times in size and look like this :).  Now punch it down and spread it onto a pizza pan!

Smooth it all out with a rolling pin and it'll look all pretty and round like this! 

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough 

Add the apple topping on top of that.

Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the apples.

Let it sit to rise more for about 15-20 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 and then bake for 25-30 minutes until done.

Enjoy!!!! 

Here's the Recipe
(Serves 12-16)

Prep time - 60 minutes

Cooking time - 25-30 minutes

Total time - 90 minutes

Pizza Crust:

1 cup warm water (112-115 degrees F)

1 tablespoon dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons oil

3 cups flour

Apple topping:

3 tablespoons butter

3 large cooking apples, peeled and sliced thinly

3/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cream cheese spread:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Crumb topping:

1/3 cup flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup soft butter

1/3 cup quick oats

Step 1 - Making the Crust:

To make the dough, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in an electric mixer with the dough hook.  Then add in the oil, salt and half the flour.  Once the flour is completely incorporated, slowly add in the rest until it's completely mixed in, adding additional flour if necessary.  

Mix for 5 minutes until the dough does not stick to the bowl. Spray the bowl with cooking spray to prevent dough from drying out and cover with a towel to let it rise while you prepare everything else.

Step 2 - Making the Apple Topping:

Whisk the flour, sugar and cinnamon together in a medium saucepan.  Add the butter and apples.  Heat until it boils and then reduce to simmer until the apple mixture is tender.  Set aside to cool. 

Step 3 - Making the Cream Cheese Spread:

Combine cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and nutmeg in a bowl and beat until it's smooth. 

Step 4 - Making the Crumb Topping:

Combine the crumb topping ingredients until mixed and crumbly.

Step 5 - Assembly:

Punch down the dough from Step 1 and roll out onto a greased 16 inch pizza pan.  Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust with a knife or spatula or spreader.  Pour the apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese.  Sprinkle crumbs over the apples.

Step 6 - Baking

Preheat the oven to 375 F.  Let the assembled pizza sit for 15-20 minutes to rise more.  Put the pizza in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until done.  

This is based on Cathy's recipe