Get ready to discover your new favorite sweet treat. This Cinnamon Sugar Pizza is the perfect blend of a crispy, chewy crust, a warm, buttery cinnamon-sugar topping, and a tangy cream cheese icing that melts in your mouth. It’s incredibly simple to make and destined to be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion, from family movie nights to casual get-togethers. Forget delivery, this is one dessert pizza you’ll want to make again and again.
Why This Cinnamon Sugar Pizza Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another dessert; it’s an experience. What makes this recipe truly special is its delightful simplicity and unbeatable flavor. The buttery topping caramelizes in the oven, creating a slightly crunchy, gooey layer that perfectly complements the soft pizza dough. It captures the comforting essence of a cinnamon roll but with the fun, shareable format of a pizza.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is practically foolproof. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable, making it a fantastic base for all sorts of delicious experiments.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You likely have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator right now.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Pizza
- Pizza Dough: 1 (13.8 ounce) can of refrigerated classic pizza crust, or your favorite homemade dough.
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons, melted. This creates the rich, buttery base for our topping.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup. For that essential sweetness and crunch.
- Ground Cinnamon: 2 teaspoons. The star spice that brings warmth and classic flavor.
For the Cream Cheese Icing
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces, softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons, softened.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup, sifted to prevent lumps.
- Vanilla Extract: 1/2 teaspoon. For a touch of aromatic sweetness.
- Milk: 1-2 tablespoons, to reach the perfect drizzling consistency.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pizza: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a dessert masterpiece that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan or a large baking sheet.
- Shape the Dough: Unroll your pizza dough and press it evenly into the prepared pan, forming a slight rim around the edge to hold in the buttery topping.
- Create the Topping: In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Butter it Up: Brush the melted butter evenly over the entire surface of the pizza dough, reaching all the way to the edges.
- Add the Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously and evenly over the buttered dough.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the topping is bubbly and caramelized. Keep a close eye on it to prevent the sugar from burning.
- Make the Icing: While the pizza is baking, prepare the icing. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.
- Cool and Drizzle: Let the pizza cool for about 5 minutes before drizzling it generously with the cream cheese icing. Slice and serve warm!
Pro Tips for the Perfect Dessert Pizza
Unlock the secrets to an unforgettable cinnamon sugar pizza with these expert tips.
- Don’t Scrimp on the Butter: The melted butter is key. It helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the dough and ensures a rich, gooey, and perfectly caramelized topping.
- Watch the Oven: Sugar can go from caramelized to burnt very quickly. Check the pizza during the last few minutes of baking to ensure a perfect golden-brown finish.
- Serve Warm: This dessert pizza is at its absolute best when served warm, while the crust is crisp and the topping is melty.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest icing, make sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened to room temperature before mixing.
Fun Variations to Try
While this classic version is a guaranteed hit, feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas to inspire your next dessert pizza creation:
- Apple Cinnamon Delight: Thinly slice an apple and arrange the slices over the cinnamon-sugar topping before baking. It’s like a simplified version of our popular Pioneer Woman Apple Crisp on a pizza crust!
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking for a delightful textural contrast.
- Chocolate Drizzle: For the ultimate indulgence, add a drizzle of melted chocolate or Nutella over the cream cheese icing.
Storing and Reheating Your Sweet Pizza
Have leftovers? No problem! Store your cooled Cinnamon Sugar Pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat slices in an air fryer or a toaster oven for a few minutes to restore that delicious crispy crust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This pizza is best served fresh and warm from the oven for the best texture. However, you can bake it a few hours ahead and gently reheat it in the oven or air fryer before serving. We recommend adding the icing just before you serve it.
The key is to bake it at a sufficiently high temperature (400°F / 200°C) and to ensure you’re not using too much butter. The melted butter should create a thin, even layer, not pool on the dough. Baking on a preheated pizza stone can also help create an extra-crispy bottom.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in an air fryer, toaster oven, or conventional oven for a few minutes to restore the crust’s crispiness.
You can get very creative! Try adding thinly sliced apples or peaches, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips after baking.
For convenience, a store-bought refrigerated classic pizza crust (like Pillsbury) works perfectly. Its plain flavor provides a great base. However, you can also use a simple homemade pizza dough if you prefer.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this sweet pizza, you’ll fall in love with some of our other easy dessert creations. For another treat with a fun twist, try these Brown Sugar Pop Tart Cookies. If you can’t get enough of that cinnamon and cream cheese combination, our classic Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls are a must-bake. And for a simple but impressive dessert, don’t miss these Homemade Maple Donut Bars.
Share Your Creation!
We know you’ll love this Cinnamon Sugar Pizza recipe as much as we do. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! We’d love for you to share your delicious creation on Pinterest – it helps us grow and inspires other home cooks!
Cinnamon Sugar Pizza Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Pizza: The Ultimate Easy Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan or a large baking sheet.
- Unroll your pizza dough and press it evenly into the prepared pan, forming a slight rim around the edge.
- In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Brush the melted butter evenly over the surface of the pizza dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the butter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the topping is bubbly.
- While the pizza bakes, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, then stir in the vanilla and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk as needed to reach a drizzling consistency.
- Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before drizzling with icing. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
Watch the Oven: Sugar can burn quickly. Keep an eye on the pizza during the last few minutes of baking.
Serve Warm: This dessert pizza is at its absolute best when served warm.
