Easy Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza Recipe

Are you looking for a perfect way to end your family’s pizza night? This cinnamon sugar dessert pizza is about to be your new weekend go-to. You get a delicious, chewy crust topped with lots of cinnamon and brown sugar. It’s baked until it is caramelized and then drizzled with sweet vanilla icing. This sweet pizza rivals your favorite childhood buffet restaurant’s dessert pizza, but it tastes so much better.

I’m fond of this dessert recipe because it uses a great hack to avoid making the homemade yeast dough which usually takes hours to rise. You simply use a tube of pizza dough and it only takes five minutes to prepare before putting it in the oven. It is the perfect dessert for when you get that late-night craving.

The icing that gets poured on top of the pizza while it is still hot is my favorite part. It melts slightly into the cinnamon sugar, giving each bite a sweet and gooey flavor. Cut yourself a slice, because there will be competition for the final piece!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’re going to love this cinnamon sugar dessert pizza recipe because it doesn’t require a lot of measuring or fancy ingredients. All you need to do is unroll the dough, cover it with melted butter and then sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar on top. There’s no rolling or kneading involved and there’s no flour anywhere!

The thing I love about this sweet pizza is that it is very versatile. Since you have a buttery, cinnamon sugar base, you can add whatever you like on top, like chocolate chips or pecans. This dessert is also very inexpensive and will serve a crowd.

What You Need

You’ll only need refrigerated pizza dough, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk for this easy cinnamon sugar dessert pizza recipe.

Refrigerated Pizza Dough

Refrigerated pizza dough is a great way to achieve a soft, chewy crust without having to make yeast dough yourself. Just unroll it onto the pan and stretch it out until it is fairly thin. You don’t want a really thick crust because it will be too much. Crescent roll dough can also be used for this recipe if you prefer a flakier crust.

Brown Sugar and Cinnamon

This luscious caramel-like topping is created by using a nice combination of packed light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. The molasses in the brown sugar mixes with the butter when placed in a very hot oven and forms a crunchy, sugary layer that sticks to the dough. Be sure to combine these ingredients well before sprinkling them over the pizza, otherwise each piece won’t be evenly coated with the cinnamon.

Unsalted Butter

An ample amount of melted unsalted butter is necessary to make sure that your cinnamon sugar doesn’t fall off the dough while baking. This is also what helps to crisp up the outside edges of the dough so that it resembles a fried crust. If you do not have any unsalted butter available, you can substitute for salted butter, the salt will complement the sweetness of the sugar nicely.

Powdered Sugar Glaze

To take this dessert to the next level, add a simple homemade icing made with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a bit of milk. Whisk this together until it is smooth and thick enough to drizzle over the pizza without running off the sides. You could substitute the vanilla for a few drops of almond extract or a tablespoon of pure maple syrup to add a different flavor.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza

Take out a pizza pan and a small mixing bowl to prepare this sweet delight for the oven.

Prep the Dough

Set the oven to 400°F and lightly spray a 12-inch pizza pan or large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Roll out the pizza dough on the prepared surface and seal any holes in the dough with your fingers.

Butter the Base

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter. Brush a thick layer of melted butter onto the pizza dough, especially covering the outer crust.

Sprinkle the Magic

In a separate small bowl, stir together the light brown sugar and cinnamon. Generously sprinkle this mixture over the pizza dough, going nearly to the outer edges.

Bake to Perfection

Place the pizza into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is a dark golden brown. The sugar and cinnamon should be bubbling and melting together into a sugary glaze.

Drizzle and Slice

While the pizza is baking, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to make the icing. Allow the baked pizza to cool for two minutes, then drizzle with the icing and cut into slices to serve.

My Top Recipe Tips

Letting the hot pizza sit for two or three minutes before adding the icing is the key to a nice texture. Adding the icing immediately after removing the pizza from the oven will cause the icing to melt into a thin film rather than creating those nice white stripes.

Don’t forget to use your pizza stone if you have one for this pizza! The combination of a preheated pizza stone in the oven and letting the dough cook directly on the stone ensures that the bottom of the pizza is as crispy as possible without becoming soggy once you’ve added the butter and sugar.

Don’t be shy to press down on the cinnamon sugar mixture with your palms before you bake to help keep it stuck to the pizza and prevent it from flying off in a convection oven.

Storage and Reheating

• Store: Store leftover dessert pizza in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to four days.
• Freeze: Freeze leftover un-iced dessert pizza slices wrapped well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to two months.
• Reheat: Warm up any leftovers in a 350°F oven or an air fryer for about three to four minutes to return the crispiness and warmth.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve while piping hot with a giant scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in the middle.
• Drizzle with additional warm, sticky caramel sauce right before serving.
• Serve with a side of fresh sliced strawberries and blueberries.
• Serve with a nice tall glass of ice cold whole milk for a perfect late night treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a pre-baked pizza crust instead?

Yes! Use a Boboli style pre-baked thin crust, however, you will want to reduce the bake time. It only needs to be baked for about five to seven minutes or until the butter and sugar has melted and bubbled.

Can I add apples to this pizza?

Yes! Adding very thin slices of Granny Smith apples over the butter layer before adding the cinnamon sugar makes a delicious apple version of this dessert.