Cinnamon sugar cookie pizza topped with caramel frosting, crisp apple slices, and a caramel drizzle will put you in the mood for fall.
Brr it finally feels like fall in Pennsylvania! For awhile, the weather decided to be sunny and 80 degrees. Now I wake up in the mornings to FROST on my car. The mornings of running out to warm up my car while I finish getting ready for work are soon beginning. As the chillier weather settles in, it’s time to break out the fall festivities – apple picking, pumpkin carving, sweater wearing, leaf gazing – and I am bringing Caramel Apple Sugar Cookie Pizza to the party.
Truth be told – I kinda hate caramel apples on a stick. I’d rather have apple slices dipped in caramel. Weird, right? It’s not the flavor combination at all; it’s the whole biting into a giant apple covered in caramel aspect. Maybe because I hate biting into candy apples, which then I relate to caramel apples. My solution is to make caramel apple things, such as this cookie pizza. I have no problem diving into this dessert.
So why a cookie pizza? Because I’m lazy :D Ok so that’s partially true. Rather than take the time and make several dozen then frost several dozen, I just did one giant cookie and only had one cookie to frost and decorate.
I wish dessert pizzas were more common. Growing up, there was a pizza buffet that served a dessert pizza. I always made sure I saved room for dessert, between that and the gooey cinnamon rolls. And somehow, a few cinnamon rolls would magically appear in my purse later that evening. Funny how they wrap themselves up in a napkin and sneak home with you. No need to sneak this cookie pizza home because I doubt there will be any leftovers!
Caramel Apple Sugar Cookie Pizza
Yield: 8-10 servings
Cinnamon sugar cookie pizza topped with caramel frosting, crisp apple slices, and a caramel drizzle will put you in the mood for fall.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Frosting
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup caramel (homemade or store bought)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease a round 12-inch pizza pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour. The dough will still be slightly sticky.
- Lightly flour your hands and press the dough into the pan. Bake until the edges are brown and set in the middle, 12-15 minutes. Cool completely.
- For the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, and salt until creamy and fluffy. Beat in the 1/4 cup caramel. Spread onto the cooled cookie pizza. Top with apple slices then drizzle 2 tablespoons caramel.
Source: Adapted from Kelsey Nixon
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Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
This is completely the answer to caramel apples on a stick. Nice and neat and extremely tasty!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Apples dipped in caramel = higher caramel to apple ratio. I like that math! And this looks sooo yummy!
Laura Dembowski says
I don’t like biting into a whole apple no matter what. I always cut my apple into pieces. This looks so yummy and easy to make!
Heather @girlichef says
While I love caramel apples on a stick, I also love dipping slices in caramel…and I know I’d love this. And so would the kids – it looks like a fun treat to make with them now that it’s chilly here on football weekends, too. Perfect dessert for those days!
Susan says
I can’t stand caramel apples, I always feel like I’m going to lose a tooth. This is a great compromise and it’s also a giant cookie pizza. I can’t complain.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
This is SUCH a cool idea for dessert Carla! The possibilities are endless…
Constance Smith @FoodieArmyWife says
Mmmm…. what a great recipe! Saving this one!
Nicole @ Daily Dish Recipes says
Wow… just wow Carla. This looks FABULOUS! It’s just perfectly Fall, and perfectly decadent. yum!
[email protected] & Trinkets says
Caramel apples are totally better in bite-size pieces. Especially on top of a cookie crust.
Vicki @ WITK says
Caramel apples are off limits until I get my braces off. These are a perfect substitution! Thanks :)
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen says
Easy caramel apple cookies, I’m in love! Who doesn’t love a giant cookie pizza?
Liz says
This dessert pizza would certainly be a hit at any party! I can never resist the combination of apples and caramel!!! YUM!
Family Foodie says
Oh my goodness Carla! This looks absolutely fantastic. Love the color combination that you chose for photography. Beautiful!
The Ninja Baker says
Very innovative and creative, Carla! Perfect for fall. Of course, I’ve pinned your creation to my World’s Best Cookies board =)
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
Looks delish. We are on the same page in terms of caramel apples. Biting them isn’t fun. Biting sliced apples dripping with caramel is!
Dina says
this sounds yummy!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
I totally agree with you, apple slices in caramel rock – and are easier to eat than on a stick
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I don’t think I could stop eating this! I love it!!!
Alida says
I don’t even know where to begin…the caramel, the apple, the sugar cookie, all wrapped up in a pizza? SO GOOD! And beautiful too! :)
David @ Spiced says
Wow…this looks absolutely delicious! I love apple season! (And doesn’t it feel way too early to start having frost on our cars!?!)
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
Beautiful presentation! But I would expect nothing less from you! Happy Fall!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Dessert pizza is always welcome in this home. Especially one as pretty as this!
Stacy says
Cici’s, right? It was my daughters’ favorite place to go out to eat, most specifically for the dessert pizza. I can’t imagine why more places don’t offer it. Yours looks beautiful with all that caramel dripping everywhere!
Angie | Big Bears Wife says
haha I feel the same way about candy apples. Makes my teeth hurt to just think about them. However I so love caramel apples. I normally slice caramel apples with an apple slicer to make them easier to eat! :) The Caramel Apple Sugar Cookie Pizza looks (and sounds) amazing!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I’m not an apple on a stick fan myself. It’s so messy. I’d much rather have my apples in the form of a pizza. Yum!
Dina says
sounds yummy!
Martin D Redmond says
Carla, when I saw the title for this dish I was fascinated. Seeing it now, it’s even more fascinating. It’s looks amazing! Wish I had a slice! Thanks for sharing!
sunithi says
ooh I could totally eat this as dessert ! My kids would go crazy over this. Making it soon. Lovely pics !
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Carla, you’re not lazy, you’re brilliant! I also hate eating caramel apples too. They’re so unwieldy. You have to take a big bite, there’s never enough of a caramel to apple ratio, and the sticky stuff gets all over your face ‘n teeth. Not fun. I will however get behind this cookie pizza. It looks delicious and I’m loving your photos and food styling here. Beautiful!
Kim Beaulieu says
I am so offended you didn’t invite me over when you made this. I mean seriously now. This is totally worth hopping on a plane for. Gorgeous photos and rocking recipe. I need to try this. Asap.
Sarah @ Miss Candiquik says
This sounds amazing!! Thanks for sharing, found you through Lil Luna’s caramel apple roundup :)