Copycat recipe for Pizza Hut’s Dessert Pizza recipe – made even better with extra apples and an extra caramel drizzle!
Grab a bag of apples on your next shopping trip because you’re going to want to make this warm caramel apple dessert pizza topped with a thick layer of gooey apples, brown sugar streusel, and drizzled with homemade caramel sauce.
While this pizza is often my first thought when I buy apples for baking, once I’m home, it can be a tough choice between this pizza and my mom’s Apple Streusel Pie.
The two desserts are actually pretty similar, the main difference being the pizza has a traditional dough crust and the apple pie is has a normal pie crust.
Caramel Apple Pizza
Back to the apple pizza we’re talking about today, this version has a whole lot of apples and an abundance of streusel on top.
I’ve seen recipes that are basically all crust with a sprinkling of apples. (And not that I’m throwing shade towards Pizza Hut as the original creator either, but this version – it’s so much better.)
With a thick layer of soft cinnamon apples and sweet streusel on top, there is plenty of apple goodness for every bit of crust.
Apple Dessert Pizza
The crust for this pizza is very easy to make. It is an adaptation of my everyday pizza crust recipe. I use it to make my husband’s favorite Philly Cheesesteak Pizza and the Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza that my sister and I both love so much.
You could even make this a little heartier with a Whole Wheat Pizza Crust.
For this recipe, I swapped out the bit of regular sugar for a little extra brown sugar. It gives the crust a hint of sweetness without taking away from the apple flavors.
After the crust comes a layer of apples and cinnamon, topped with the best streusel. It bakes up like a regular pizza, but is so much better. The best way to serve this dessert pizza is warm with extra caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Be sure to dice the apples very small, otherwise, they won’t cook as quickly as the crust and you’ll have crunchy apples on your dessert pizza.
Ideally, you want to make this a 15-inch pizza for a true copycat version of pizza hut’s apple dessert pizza. I’ve made it 12-inches with a thicker crust, and it was good, but the thinner crust is better. Just trust me on this.
It was absolutely delicious with a crispier crust. Take you pick, just know that a thinner pizza will take less time to bake, so check it sooner.
Pizza Hut Dessert Pizza
- To make the crust, combine hot water and yeast in a large bowl. Let sit for a few minutes until a foam develops.
- Stir in the brown sugar, olive oil, salt, and flour. Knead for a few minutes until the dough is stretchy. Let sit for 30 minutes to rise.
- Meanwhile, peel and dice the apples. Toss the apples with the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Grease and lightly dust a pizza pan with cornmeal.
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Pat out the dough into a 12 – 15 inch circle. Lightly brush with olive oil. Spread the apples on top of the dough.
- To make the streusel, mix together the flour and brown sugar. Cut in the cold butter until it makes pea-sized crumbs. Gently stir in oatmeal. Sprinkle over the apples.
- Bake at 400 F. for 28-22 minutes or until the apples are tender and the crust is browned. Let cool slightly. Serve warm with caramel and vanilla ice cream.
Looking for more apple dessert recipes? Tender apples topped with buttery brown sugar streusel work together perfectly when making an apple crisp without oats!
Apple Dessert Pizza
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 tablespoon instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Apple Filling Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups apples peeled and finely diced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Streusel Ingredients
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- Homemade Caramel Sauce to drizzle on top
Instructions
- To make the crust, combine hot water and yeast in a large bowl. Let sit for a few minutes until a foam develops.
- Stir in the brown sugar, olive oil, salt and flour. Knead for a few minutes until dough is stretchy. Let sit for 30 minutes to rise.
- Meanwhile, peel and dice the apples. Toss them with the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Grease and lightly dust a pizza pan with cornmeal.
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Pat out the dough into a 12 – 15 inch circle. Lightly brush with olive oil. Spread the apples on top of the dough.
- To make the streusel, mix together the flour and brown sugar. Cut in the cold butter until it makes pea-sized crumbs. Gently stir in oatmeal. Sprinkle over the apples.
- Bake at 400 F. for 28-22 minutes or until the apples are tender and the crust is browned. Let cool slightly. Serve warm with caramel and vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
{originally published 9/1/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/26/21}
Here are some other Dessert Pizza Recipes from bloggers around the web that sound amazing.
Cookies and Cream Dessert Pizza from Girl Versus Dough
Monster Cookie Pizza from Chef in Training
S’mores Dessert Pizza from Six Sister’s Stuff
And if you’re looking for more caramel apple treats, check out these recipes too!
Amanda says
You are rockin’ my world! I love everything about this!
Mallory says
Thanks, Amanda!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love this dessert pizza! Extra caramel and ice cream are a must!
Mallory says
Absolutely, Jessica!
Matt Robinson says
What an awesome idea!!! Nothing beats caramel apples here. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and it’s the perfect treat!
Christie - Food Done Light says
That streusel crust is making me drool. I just adore it.
Beth @ The First Year says
Great minds thing alike! I posted a caramel apple dessert pizza this week too! Yours looks amazing Mallory!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
YUM, I could eat this whole pizza! Looks delicious! 🙂
Tonia says
One of our favorite restaurants has an apple dessert pizza, but they need to add the caramel like you!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Again, you got me with the streusel! I love dessert pizzas! Looks fantastic!
Mallory says
Thanks, Amber. The streusel is one of my favorite parts too!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
Oh my! This looks delicious!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Hmm….I have half a whole wheat pizza dough recipe sitting in the fridge, I wonder if it would work? Maybe if I brush the crust with some reduced apple cider and caramel 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
Mallory says
Yeah, it will be a bit heavier than a normal crust, but I’m sure it would work out great!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
This looks delicious! Funny enough I’ve made a similar pizza and this just reminded me that I should definitely resurrect that pizza – yum yum!
shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Oh dear – I need a towel – I am drooling like a flowing river over here! the streusel topping …the apple filling…the cinnamon…I cannot even think …so so good!
cannoli says
can I unroll a pre-made crust for this?
Mallory says
Absolutely, that makes it a super easy dessert. Just be sure to bake it according to the package and to use nice ripe apples. Enjoy!
Angie Brown says
This looks so fun! I help teach a cooking class at our church’s Community Center and this would be an ideal recipe for our moms (and even a few dads) to make for their families! Good to know that they can use a pre-made crust for this recipe, as we have come to realize that homemade crusts tend to be frightening for some. So excited to try it! Thank you!
Emily Hill says
Now THIS is my kind of pizza. YUMMY!
Jaide says
I have to try this! It looks amazing!
Alli says
Oh wow, this right here has to be made!! I seriously want to dive right in!
Carolyn says
Holy deliciousness, Batman!
Meg says
Which type of oats? Cut, instant, quick?
Your cooking time says 28-22 minutes?
Joefine says
I want a good ole slice of this for lunch!! Love love the toppings and that crust!
Karen says
I made the crust from this recipe and used it in a separate (similar) apple pie dessert pizza recipe. The whole thing came out beautiful and was quickly devoured. I’m especially impressed with this crust. It was easy and just the right thickness and texture for this type of dessert.
Ann says
How far in advance can you put the ingredients together before cooking?
Mary says
I typically assemble this when I’m ready to bake it, Ann.
Ann says
👍