Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza Recipe

The Sweetest Slice of Pizza You’ll Ever Eat

Forget pepperoni and mozzarella – this Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza is about to become your new favorite pie. Imagine a soft, golden yeast crust brushed with buttery sugar, topped with luscious cherry filling, and finished with a crunchy crumble and a dreamy almond glaze. It’s like a cherry pie and a pizza had a delicious baby – and you can make it in under two hours. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a birthday, or just craving something sweet and different, this dessert pizza delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. Ready to bake the most fun dessert on the block? Let’s get rolling!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza

• Bursting with Cherry Flavor – A whole can of cherry pie filling gives you juicy, antioxidant-rich fruit in every bite. No artificial taste, just pure cherry bliss.
• Perfectly Balanced Textures – Soft, chewy crust + sticky cherries + buttery crumble + silky glaze. Every mouthful is a party of textures that keeps you coming back.
• Surprisingly Simple to Make – Don’t let the yeast scare you! The dough comes together in minutes, rises while you prep, and bakes up like a dream. Even beginners nail it.
• Customizable & Crowd-Pleasing – Swap cherries for any fruit filling, add nuts or chocolate chips to the crumble, or skip the glaze – this pizza loves your creative twists. Great for parties, potlucks, and weeknight treats.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything for your Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza. The ingredient list looks long, but most items are pantry staples. Let’s break it down:

🍕 For the Light Crust

• 1 cup warm water (105°–110°F)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (divided)
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

🍒 For the Fruit Layer

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling (or homemade tart cherry filling)

🌾 For the Easy Crumble

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

🥛 For the Light Glaze

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ¼ teaspoon sweet almond extract

How to Make Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza (Step by Step)

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be slicing into cheesy (wait, cherry!) goodness in no time. Get your pizza pan ready!

1. Wake up the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, gently stir warm water, sugar, and yeast together. Let it rest for 5 minutes until frothy – that means your yeast is alive and happy.
2. Mix the dough: Pour in half of your oil, then stir in the flour and salt. Mix until a soft, smooth dough pulls together. Don’t overwork it – just until combined.
3. Let it proof: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. It should double in size – puffy and pillowy.
4. Prep and pre-bake: Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a 12-inch pizza pan with parchment paper and spread the remaining oil over the bottom. Press the risen dough evenly onto the pan. Use your fingers to press light dimples into the surface (this helps hold the fruit). Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden.
5. Layer the fruit: Mix the 3 tablespoons of melted butter and sugar, then brush it evenly over your warm crust. Spread the cherry pie filling in an even layer over the top. Don’t be shy – get every cherry.
6. Create the crumble: In a separate bowl, toss together flour, sugars, salt, and cooled melted butter. Use a fork or your fingers until a rustic, clumpy mixture forms. Sprinkle it evenly over the sweet cherries.
7. Final bake: Bake for another 13–15 minutes until the crumble is wonderfully golden and crisp. Your kitchen will smell like heaven.
8. Drizzle and serve: Whisk confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the warm dessert pizza. Let it cool for 5–10 minutes, slice into 8 large pieces, and enjoy while still slightly warm!

Creative Ways to Serve Your Cherry Dessert Pizza

This Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza is incredibly versatile. Here’s how to dress it up for any occasion:

• Classic Slices – Cut into 8 wedges and serve plain. Perfect for a quick dessert after pizza night!
• A La Mode – Top each warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The hot-cold combo is irresistible.
• Brunch Board – Cut into small squares and arrange on a platter with fresh berries, mint, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Great for a brunch buffet.
• Single-Serve Dessert – Use a small biscuit cutter to punch out rounds from the baked pizza. Stack them with extra glaze for cute mini desserts.
• Festive Toppings – Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds, shredded coconut, or white chocolate chips over the glaze before it sets. Holiday-ready!

How to Store & How Long It Lasts

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to keep your Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza fresh:

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. The crust stays soft, and the crumble stays crisp – perfect for snacking.
• Refrigerator: If you live in a humid climate, pop it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Let slices come to room temp or reheat gently before serving.
• Freezer: You can freeze the baked, ungrazed pizza for up to 2 months. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat at 350°F for 10 minutes and add fresh glaze.
• Pro Tip: If reheating individual slices, use the microwave for 20–30 seconds (softens nicely) or a toaster oven for a slightly crisper crumble.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use a different fruit filling? Absolutely! Try apple, blueberry, peach, or even strawberry-rhubarb. The bake time stays the same.
2. Do I have to use yeast? Can I use store-bought dough? Yeast gives the authentic soft pizza crust, but you can use 1 lb of store-bought pizza dough (thawed) or refrigerated crescent roll dough – just adjust baking time.
3. What if my yeast doesn’t get frothy? The water may have been too hot or too cold, or the yeast is expired. Start over with fresh yeast and water between 105°–110°F.
4. Can I make this gluten-free? Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the crust and crumble. The texture will be slightly more delicate, but still delicious.
5. Is the almond extract essential? It adds a lovely hint of marzipan, but you can substitute vanilla extract or omit it altogether. The glaze will still be wonderful.
6. Can I add nuts to the crumble? Sure! Toss in ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds with the crumble mixture for extra crunch.
7. Why do I press dimples into the crust? Those little indentations help the cherry filling stay put and prevent the crust from doming. Plus, they look rustic and cute!
8. Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd? Yes – use a half-sheet pan (18×13 inches). Double all ingredients, press the dough into the pan, and bake slightly longer (check doneness).
9. My glaze is too thick/thin – how do I fix it? Too thick? Add a few drops of milk. Too thin? Add a little more confectioners’ sugar. Aim for a drizzling consistency.
10. Can I prep the dough the night before? Absolutely! After the first rise, punch it down, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Next day, let it sit at room temp 20 minutes before pressing into the pan.

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Servings: 8 large slices | Calories: 680 kcal | Carbs: 102g | Net Carbs: 100g | Fats: 28g | Protein: 5g

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Easy Cherry Dessert Pizza

A delightful and sweet treat, this cherry dessert pizza features a light, airy crust topped with rich cherry filling, a buttery crumble, and a sweet almond glaze.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Proofing Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Servings 8 slices

Calories 680 kcal

Equipment

• 12-inch pizza pan
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  

For the light crust

• 1 cup warm water 105°-110°F
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil divided
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp kosher salt

For the fruit layer

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 21 ounces cherry pie filling 1 can

For the easy crumble

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled

For the light glaze

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/4 tsp sweet almond extract

Instructions

 

• Wake up the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, gently stir the warm water, sugar, and yeast together. Let it rest for 5 minutes until it becomes nice and frothy.
• Mix the dough: Pour in half of your oil, then stir in the flour and salt. Mix until a soft, smooth dough starts to pull together.
• Let it proof: Place your dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until beautifully doubled in size.
• Prep and pre-bake: Heat your oven to 450°F. Line a 12-inch pizza pan with parchment paper and spread the remaining oil over the bottom. Press the risen dough evenly onto the pan, using your fingers to press light dimples into the surface. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden.
• Layer the fruit: Mix the 3 tablespoons of melted butter and sugar, then brush it evenly over your warm crust. Spread the antioxidant-rich cherry filling in an even layer over the top.
• Create the crumble: In a separate bowl, toss the flour, sugars, salt, and cooled melted butter together until a rustic, clumpy mixture forms. Scatter this crumble evenly over the sweet cherries.
• Final bake: Bake for another 13-15 minutes until the crumble is wonderfully golden and crisp.
• Drizzle and serve: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, milk, and almond extract together until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the warm dessert pizza. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes, slice, and enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition per serving: Calories: 680 kcal, Total Carbs: 102g, Net Carbs: 100g, Fats: 28g, Protein: 5g.