If you’re craving a dessert that feels like warm comfort in every bite, you’re going to absolutely adore this Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, and Streusel Topping Recipe. Think of it as the best of apple pie and pizza combined into one delightful treat! I love this because it’s not just tasty—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that fills your kitchen with the most amazing apple-cinnamon aroma. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy family dessert or a fun get-together, this apple pizza is seriously something special.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A Perfect Blend of Flavors: The tartness of cinnamon apples works beautifully with the richness of cream cheese and the sweet buttery streusel.
Homemade Yeasted Dough: It gives the crust a wonderful soft and slightly chewy texture that you just won’t find in store-bought bases.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: I always get compliments, whether I serve it warm or cold – perfect for any occasion.
Simple yet Impressive: Despite sounding fancy, it’s straightforward to make – no need for complicated baking skills!

The image shows a round apple dessert pizza divided into seven slices on a silver tray placed on a white marbled surface over a red and white checkered cloth. The pizza has a light golden-brown crust with a base layer of apple slices arranged evenly in a circle. On top, there is a layer of crumbly streusel in small clumps and a thick drizzle of caramel sauce spread unevenly over the whole pizza. Two white plates each hold a single slice with caramel sauce drizzled on top, one plate has a fork beside the slice. A small green bowl filled with caramel sauce and a spoon rests near the pizza. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, Streusel Topping, apple dessert pizza, easy fruity dessert recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, and Streusel Topping Recipe is all in how the ingredients come together. Fresh tart apples take center stage, while the streusel topping offers a delightful crunch. Oh, and trust me, softening your cream cheese ahead of time makes blending with brown sugar a breeze.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a few tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small white bowl, a small heap of active dry yeast granules, a pinch of salt in a tiny white bowl, a small white bowl with water, a small white bowl with milk, cubes of fresh butter, several peeled and thinly sliced tart apples arranged neatly, a small white bowl with brown sugar, a small white bowl with caramel ice cream topping, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl containing a mixture of flour and sugar, and cold butter cubes grouped together, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, Streusel Topping, apple dessert pizza, easy fruity dessert recipe

All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of the dough and streusel; using fresh flour will affect the texture.
Sugar: Both granulated and brown sugars give sweetness and that perfect caramelized flavor.
Active dry yeast: Key to getting a light, airy crust – make sure your yeast is fresh and proofed properly.
Salt: Balances flavor and enhances the sweetness of the apples.
Water and milk: Together they hydrate the dough, and using milk adds a bit of richness.
Butter: Cubed cold for the streusel and melted for the dough, it creates a tender crumb and flaky crust.
Apples: Tart apples like Granny Smith are my favorite for this recipe, as they hold their shape and balance the sweetness.
Cinnamon: No apple dessert is complete without it—adds warmth and depth.
Cream cheese: Softened for a smooth and tangy cheese topping that contrasts the apples perfectly.
Caramel ice cream topping: This adds a luscious, sweet drizzle that brings all the flavors together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, and Streusel Topping Recipe is—you can tweak it to match your mood or dietary needs. I often play around with different apples or add a sprinkle of nuts to the streusel for a crunchy surprise.

Use different apple varieties: When I used Fuji apples, it gave the pizza a sweeter, juicier flavor that some of my friends really enjoyed.
Make it vegan: Replace butter with coconut oil and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative; it still tastes amazing.
Add nuts to streusel: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a nice texture contrast, which my family loves especially around the holidays.
Spice it up: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon mixture for a festive twist I discovered one fall that made it extra cozy.

How to Make Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, and Streusel Topping Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Yeasted Dough

First things first—preheat your oven to 375°F. Then, in a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. I like to stir these dry ingredients well to evenly distribute the yeast. Next, gently heat water, milk, and butter in a saucepan until it’s warm between 120° and 130°F—warm enough to activate the yeast but not so hot that it kills it. Pour this into the flour mixture and beat everything together for about two minutes. Then, stir in just enough extra flour to form a firm dough.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and cover it loosely with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest for 15 minutes—this short rest helps relax the gluten and makes rolling out much easier. I used to skip this step and ended up with tough crusts, so trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Step 2: Cook the Cinnamon Apples

While the dough rests, slice and peel your tart apples into thin slices. Heat two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat and toss in the apples for about two minutes, just to soften them up a bit. Then, whisk together sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl and stir this mixture into the skillet with the apples. Cook for another three minutes until the mixture thickens.

Lower the heat and let the apples simmer uncovered for four to six minutes, stirring frequently until they’re tender but still hold their shape. This step is one of my favorites—the smell of cinnamon and butter softening the apples is absolutely irresistible!

Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese and Streusel Toppings

In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese with brown sugar and caramel ice cream topping until smooth and creamy. This luscious cheese layer adds that oh-so-satisfying tang and sweetness.

For the streusel, mix flour and sugar in another bowl, then cut in cold cubed butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Here’s a little editor’s tip for you: keeping the butter cold is key to getting a nicely crumbly streusel that bakes into golden chunks. I learned this the hard way after trying to use softened butter, and the topping turned into a soggy mess instead of a crunchy delight!

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pat the dough onto a greased 14-inch pizza pan, gently shaping it with your fingers and building up the edges just a bit to hold all those delicious toppings. Then, spread on the cream cheese layer evenly, followed by the warm cinnamon apples.

Finally, sprinkle the streusel topping across the apple layer. Pop the pizza into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is beautifully golden brown and the streusel looks irresistible.

If you want to take it over the top (and trust me, you do), drizzle more caramel ice cream topping just before serving. I swear this is where the magic happens, turning it into an unforgettable dessert everyone will ask for again and again.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, and Streusel Topping Recipe

Don’t Skip the Dough Rest: Even a short 15-minute rest makes it much easier to handle and produces a softer crust.
Keep Butter Cold for Streusel: Cold butter creates those perfect crumbly lumps that bake into a crisp topping.
Use Tart Apples: They hold up better during cooking and balance the sweetness so the pizza isn’t overly sugary.
Serve Warm or Cold: Both ways taste great. Warm gives cozy vibes, cold is perfect for easy serving at parties.

How to Serve Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, and Streusel Topping Recipe

A single slice of apple crumble pie sits on a round silver tray with the rest of the pie still in the background. The pie has three visible layers: a bottom golden-brown crust that looks firm and slightly crunchy, a middle layer filled with soft, cooked apple slices that are pale yellow and tender, and a top layer of crumbly streusel that is light brown and uneven in texture. A shiny caramel sauce is drizzled on top, pooling slightly on the tray around the slice. In the background, there is a white bowl with a spoon containing more caramel sauce and a white plate with some pastries. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth to the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, Streusel Topping, apple dessert pizza, easy fruity dessert recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce and a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. Sometimes, on chilly evenings, I add a scoop of vanilla ice cream right on top—my family goes crazy for that melty combination!

Side Dishes

This dessert’s sweetness pairs wonderfully with strong coffee or chai tea. If you’re serving it as part of a brunch spread, fresh fruit or a light green salad balances it out beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, I like to cut the apple pizza into small squares and serve it buffet-style with a variety of toppings at hand—like extra cinnamon, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and different caramel sauces. It turns into a fun build-your-own dessert bar that guests love!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover apple pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for 2 to 3 days, though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house. When enjoying later, I let it come to room temperature for the best texture.

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, I recommend freezing the baked apple pizza wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It freezes well for up to one month. To thaw, move it to the fridge the night before you plan to serve.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warm and crisp again. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve that lovely streusel crunch and flaky crust.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute store-bought pizza dough if you’re short on time. Just roll it out to about 14 inches, and follow the same topping and baking instructions. However, homemade dough gives a softer, more tender crust that complements the toppings perfectly.
What type of apples work best for this apple pizza?

Tart apples like Granny Smith are ideal because they hold their shape during cooking and balance the sweetness of the brown sugar and caramel nicely. If you prefer sweeter apples, Fuji or Honeycrisp work well too, but the overall flavor will be sweeter.
Can I make the streusel topping ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the streusel topping a day or two ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just sprinkle it on the pizza just before baking for that fresh, crumbly texture.
Is this recipe suitable for those with lactose intolerance?

You can make this recipe lactose-free by substituting dairy butter with lactose-free or plant-based butter and using lactose-free cream cheese alternatives. Just keep in mind this might slightly alter the flavor and texture.
How should I store leftovers to keep the best flavor?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat in the oven at 350°F for crispness. Avoid microwaving to maintain that delightful streusel crunch.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Cinnamon Apples, and Streusel Topping Recipe is truly one of my all-time favorite desserts to make. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together—whether you’re sneaking a slice for yourself or sharing it with family and friends. I hope you’ll give it a try soon because there’s something so magical about biting into that soft dough, tangy cream cheese, tender cinnamon apples, and buttery streusel all at once. Trust me, once you make this, it’s going to become one of your go-to cozy treats!