If you’re craving something cozy, sweet, and a bit different for dessert or even brunch, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Apple Pizza with Cinnamon Apples, Cream Cheese Topping, and Streusel Recipe is one of my absolute favorites—it’s like apple pie and coffee cake had a delicious baby! The combination of soft cinnamon apples, tangy cream cheese, and crumbly streusel topping all on a yeast-raised dough makes this recipe something truly special. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it over and over.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Delicious Layering: The creamy, fruity, and crumbly components work together to create a perfect flavor balance.
Comfort Food Vibes: It smells like apple pie baking in your kitchen but with a fun, pizza twist.
Versatile Dessert: Serve it warm with ice cream, or enjoy it cold as a quick snack.
Easy Enough for Beginners: I used to struggle with yeast doughs, but this recipe walks you through it easily.

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 Cinnamon Apples, Cream Cheese Topping, Streusel, apple dessert pizza, easy sweet pizza

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here blend simple pantry staples with fresh apples, creating a comforting sweet treat. You’ll want tart apples for that bright flavor which stands up nicely against the cream cheese and streusel.

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 Cinnamon Apples, Cream Cheese Topping, Streusel, apple dessert pizza, easy sweet pizza

All-purpose flour: Essential for the dough and the streusel; pick a good quality flour for best texture.
Sugar: Both granulated and brown sugar add sweetness and depth—brown sugar works beautifully in the cream cheese topping.
Active dry yeast: The magic behind that soft, fluffy dough that holds up the toppings perfectly.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
Water and milk: Warming these helps activate the yeast and makes the dough tender.
Butter: Cubed butter is used in both the dough and the streusel topping—make sure it’s cold for crumbly streusel.
Tart apples (peeled and sliced): Granny Smith is my go-to for that bright, tart pop.
Ground cinnamon: The warm spice that makes those apples smell irresistible.
Cream cheese: Softened to spread easily, it adds a lovely tang that cuts through the sweet apple topping.
Caramel ice cream topping: Swirled into the cream cheese and drizzled on top for that bit of indulgence.

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 like to play around with this recipe depending on the season or my mood. The great thing is, it’s super adaptable! Feel free to swap or add flavors—your kitchen, your rules.

Use different apples: I’ve tried Fuji and Honeycrisp, which makes the topping sweeter and less tart—great if you’re not a big fan of sourness.
Spices variations: Sometimes I mix cinnamon with a little nutmeg or allspice for that extra depth—just a pinch can change the game!
Dairy substitutes: You can replace cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free twist—works surprisingly well.
Nutty streusel: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping ups the crunch factor and adds warmth.

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

Step 1: Prepare the Dough Like a Pro

Start by combining your flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Then, gently warm your water, milk, and butter until they’re about 120° to 130° Fahrenheit—warm but not hot, or you’ll kill the yeast! Pour this warm liquid into your flour mix and beat it for two minutes to activate the magic. Stir in just enough flour to shape a firm dough that isn’t sticky. When kneading, sprinkle flour lightly to keep the dough workable without making it tough. Let it rest covered for 15 minutes so it can relax before rolling out—this little pause makes a big difference in texture!

Step 2: Make the Irresistible Cinnamon Apple Topping

While the dough rests, heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and toss in your sliced apples. Cook just two minutes to soften them slightly. Mix sugar, flour, and cinnamon separately, then stir this into the apples. Let it cook down on low heat for around 4 to 6 minutes—stir frequently to prevent sticking, until the apples become tender and everything thickens. I like to keep them just soft enough to bite into without turning into applesauce.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Topping

In a small bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and caramel ice cream topping until it’s smooth and spreadable. This layer adds a velvety tang that contrasts so wonderfully with the warm apples and sweet streusel—trust me, it’s the heart of the flavors here.

Step 4: Create the Heavenly Streusel

For the streusel, toss together flour and sugar, then cut in the cold butter cubes using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks crumbly with pea-sized chunks of butter. This crumbly topping becomes perfectly crunchy and golden when baked. The secret is definitely cold butter—it’s what gives you that delightful texture that just melts in your mouth.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake Your Apple Pizza

Pat your rested dough onto a greased 14-inch pizza pan, gently building up the edges just like a crust. Spread on your luscious cream cheese topping first, then pile on the cinnamon apples evenly. Finish by sprinkling the streusel all over the top. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the streusel looks crisp. This is the moment your kitchen starts smelling like your favorite fall bakery—it’s just pure magic!

Serve warm, perhaps with an extra drizzle of caramel ice cream topping if you’re feeling indulgent. Or, cool it down and enjoy as a sweet treat later on.

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

Perfect Dough Temperature: Make sure your liquid is warm enough but not hot—too hot kills the yeast and your dough won’t rise.
Don’t Overcook the Apples: Cooking them just until tender keeps that nice bite rather than mushy apples.
Cold Butter Makes Crispy Streusel: Keep your butter cubes chilled and handle quickly for the best crumble texture.
Watch the Bake Time: Keep an eye in the last 5 minutes to prevent the streusel from burning—golden brown is your goal.

How to Serve Apple Pizza with Cinnamon Apples, Cream Cheese Topping, and Streusel 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 Cinnamon Apples, Cream Cheese Topping, Streusel, apple dessert pizza, easy sweet pizza

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a little extra caramel ice cream drizzle right before serving. A sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of powdered sugar also adds a lovely finishing touch—makes it feel a bit fancy without any fuss.

Side Dishes

Since it’s sweet and rich, I usually serve this apple pizza alongside a cup of strong coffee or chai tea. It’s also fantastic with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you want to turn it into a more indulgent dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch spread, I like to slice this apple pizza into smaller squares and arrange it on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh fruit and nuts. Add some edible flowers or little bowls of caramel and cream cheese spread for a charming twist that’s sure to wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover apple pizza in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to three days. Just bring it to room temperature or warm it slightly before eating to restore that melty goodness.

Freezing

If you want to freeze this, I recommend freezing before baking—wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Bake from frozen, just add a few extra minutes. You can also freeze leftovers, but the streusel gets a bit softer after thawing, so it’s best eaten soon after.

Reheating

The oven is your friend for reheating—pop slices on a baking sheet at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes. This crisps up the streusel again and warms the filling evenly, making every bite taste fresh.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! Pre-made dough can save time and still deliver great results. Just be sure to roll it out to about 14 inches and adjust baking time as needed since homemade dough may bake differently.
What type of apples work best?

Tart apples like Granny Smith are ideal because their tanginess balances the sweetness of the cream cheese and streusel. However, Fuji or Honeycrisp can also be great for a sweeter topping.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but results may vary since the dough depends on gluten for structure. For best results, look for gluten-free yeast dough recipes or serve the apple topping over gluten-free crust alternatives.
How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover apple pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the oven to bring back the crispiness of the streusel and warmth of the filling.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?

Definitely! The sweet and creamy flavors combined with tender apples make it a big hit with children and adults alike. Plus, it’s a fun way to sneak in some fruit.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Pizza with Cinnamon Apples, Cream Cheese Topping, and Streusel Recipe is one of those comfort-food gems I keep coming back to, especially when the seasons change and I want something that feels like a warm hug. I love how it brings together the nostalgic flavors of apple pie with a fun, unexpected pizza twist. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself on a chilly afternoon, I promise you won’t be disappointed. So grab those apples, get your hands a little buttery, and enjoy every bite—you’re going to love it as much as my family does!