If you’re craving something that tastes like the perfect blend of apple pie and pizza, you’re going to adore this Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Caramel, and Streusel Topping Recipe. I absolutely love how this dessert turns out—golden crust, luscious cream cheese, sweet-tart apples, and that irresistible crumbly streusel on top. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy yet totally doable, and it fills your kitchen with the most amazing aroma. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your apple pizza is a showstopper.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The tart apples, creamy cheese, and sweet caramel blend into a perfect harmony.
Simple Yet Impressive: You won’t believe how easy it is to make a dessert that looks and tastes so elegant.
That Streusel Topping: Crispy, buttery, and crumbly—it’s my secret weapon for texture and taste.
Nostalgic Comfort Food: This apple pizza reminds me of cozy family gatherings, and it might just become your new favorite tradition.

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, Caramel, and Streusel, apple dessert recipe, easy fruit pizza, cinnamon apple tart, caramel apple dessert

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Caramel, and Streusel Topping Recipe is really in the quality apples and a few pantry staples that come together beautifully. I always pick tart apples for a nice contrast against the caramel’s sweetness, and making the dough from scratch is totally worth the effort for that fresh-baked flavor.

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, Caramel, and Streusel, apple dessert recipe, easy fruit pizza, cinnamon apple tart, caramel apple dessert

All-purpose flour: This is your base for both the dough and the streusel topping; make sure it’s fresh for best texture.
Sugar: You’ll need regular sugar for dough and streusel plus brown sugar to add that rich molasses note to the cream cheese topping.
Active dry yeast: The secret to a soft, fluffy crust—don’t forget to proof it properly in warm liquid!
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors.
Water and milk: Warmed together to activate the yeast and moisten the dough.
Butter (cubed): Adds richness to the dough and creates lovely crumbly streusel chunks when cold.
Apples (peeled and sliced): I recommend tart varieties like Granny Smith for that perfect tang.
Cinnamon: A must for warming the apple topping beautifully.
Cream cheese: Softened for the smooth cheese layer that balances the sweetness.
Caramel ice cream topping: This adds luscious flavor in the cream cheese mixture and is great for drizzling before serving.

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 experimenting with this recipe, and you can really make it your own depending on what you have around or any dietary tweaks you want. It’s super forgiving and really encourages a little creativity.

Use different fruits: I’ve swapped out apples for pears or a mix of berries with great results, changing up the flavor profile.
Gluten-free option: Try a gluten-free flour blend for the dough and streusel if you want to keep it accessible for everyone.
Vegan variation: Substitute the butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free cream cheese to fit vegan diets.
Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled into the streusel give a lovely crunch and extra depth.

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

Step 1: Make the Soft Yeasted Dough

The magic starts here. Combine your dry ingredients—flour, sugar, yeast, and salt—in a large bowl. Warm your water, milk, and butter in a saucepan just until the butter melts and the temperature hits between 120° and 130°F—too hot, and you’ll kill the yeast, too cold, and it won’t activate properly. Pour this into the dry mix, then beat it for a couple of minutes. Stir in just enough flour to form a firm dough that’s still soft and bouncy. Tip: Don’t skimp on kneading or you’ll miss out on that perfect chewy texture.

Step 2: Rest and Prepare the Apple Topping

Once your dough rests (about 15 minutes, loosely covered), get started on the apples. In a skillet, melt butter and toss in those sliced apples, cooking them for just a couple of minutes to soften. Mix sugar, flour, and cinnamon together and stir this into the apples. Lower the heat and cook uncovered for 4 to 6 minutes until the apples soften but still hold a little bite. This step creates that classic apple pie filling flavor you’ll fall in love with.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese and Streusel Toppings

Next, mix softened cream cheese with brown sugar and caramel ice cream topping until silky smooth—that’s your luscious cheese layer. For the streusel, combine flour and sugar, then cut in nice cold butter cubes until the mixture turns crumbly. Pro tip: Keeping that butter cold is what makes the streusel flaky and irresistible once baked.

Step 4: Assemble Your Apple Pizza

Pat your dough evenly onto a greased 14-inch pizza pan (don’t forget to build up the edges slightly—we want a little crust wall to hold all the goodies). Spread on your cream cheese mixture first, then layer the apple topping, and finally sprinkle generously with that crumbly streusel. It already looks amazing at this point, doesn’t it?

Step 5: Bake and Enjoy

Bake your apple pizza in a 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is gloriously golden and the streusel looks perfectly crisp. Serve warm or at room temperature, and if you’re anything like me, drizzle a bit more caramel topping right before digging in. Trust me, that finishing touch sends it over the top.

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

Temperature Check: I always double-check my liquid temp before adding yeast—it’s the difference between a dough that rises beautifully and one that doesn’t.
Keep Butter Cold for Streusel: I learned the hard way that warm butter turns the streusel gluey, not crumbly, so keep it straight from the fridge.
Don’t Overcook Apples: They should soften but still have a bit of bite to avoid a mushy topping.
Build a Little Crust Edge: Creates a delicious barrier that keeps all those juicy toppings from sliding off during baking.

How to Serve Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Caramel, 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, Caramel, and Streusel, apple dessert recipe, easy fruit pizza, cinnamon apple tart, caramel apple dessert

Garnishes

I like to top this apple pizza with a light drizzle of extra caramel sauce just before serving. Sometimes I sprinkle a little powdered sugar for a pretty finish. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side takes it absolutely next level, especially if you’re serving it warm.

Side Dishes

This dessert is a star all on its own, but if you want to pair it, consider a cup of hot apple cider or a lightly spiced chai tea. For brunches, a simple green salad or a plate of breakfast sausages provides a nice savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings or parties, I’ve served this apple pizza as mini tartlets using the same toppings in small muffin tins. Another fun idea is to cut it into small squares and serve it on a dessert platter with fresh apple slices and nuts for dipping or decoration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover apple pizza can be stored covered tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to keep it on a plate covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out but also keeps some crispness in the streusel.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices of apple pizza wrapped in foil and placed in airtight containers with good results. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I pop a slice into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. This crisps up the streusel again and warms the apples without making the crust soggy like a microwave might.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, you can absolutely use store-bought dough if you’re short on time. Just roll it out to about 14 inches, and follow the rest of the recipe as is. Homemade dough gives the best flavor and texture, but the shortcut works well for busy days.
What type of apples work best?

I recommend tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because their bright flavor balances the sweetness of the caramel and cream cheese.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it. The cream cheese mixture and streusel can also be made in advance and stored separately until you’re ready to assemble and bake.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Absolutely, even if you’re new to baking, the steps are straightforward. The dough is forgiving, and the toppings come together quickly. Just be mindful of yeast temperature and keeping butter cold for the streusel.
What’s the story behind streusel topping?

Streusel is a crumbly, buttery topping made from flour, sugar, and cold butter. It adds texture and sweetness, and I’ve found it turns this apple pizza into something truly special with that delightful crunch.

Final Thoughts

When I first tried this Apple Pizza with Cream Cheese, Caramel, and Streusel Topping Recipe, I was blown away by how it combined the best parts of a classic apple dessert with the fun twist of pizza. It’s a comforting treat that feels special for family gatherings or a cozy weekend dessert. If you give it a go, I know you’ll love how the tastes and textures come together, and your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll be on repeat—so grab your apron, and let’s bake some delicious memories!