Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey slice of dessert pizza, with a soft, chewy crust topped with a buttery cinnamon-sugar crumble and a drizzle of sweet vanilla glaze. This Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza is like a giant cinnamon roll and a sugar cookie had a baby, and it’s pure comfort in every bite. It’s sweet, slightly spiced, and just the right amount of indulgent—perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings without being too heavy. I started making this years ago for game nights with friends, and it’s become my go-to when I want a fun, shareable treat that everyone loves. Whether it’s a cozy movie night, a holiday party, or just a random Tuesday when you need something sweet, this dessert pizza is a total crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s super easy to whip up with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 minutes: From mixing the dough to drizzling the glaze, you’ll have this dessert pizza on the table in half an hour.
- Irresistible flavor: The warm cinnamon-sugar topping paired with a sweet glaze tastes like a cinnamon roll in pizza form.
- Super shareable: Slice it up for parties, potlucks, or family dessert nights—everyone can grab a piece (or three).
- Customizable: Add nuts, fruit, or a scoop of ice cream to make it your own, or keep it classic with just the cinnamon-sugar goodness.
- Kid-friendly: Picky eaters and kids adore this sweet, familiar flavor, and it’s fun to make together.
- No fancy tools needed: Just a mixing bowl, a baking sheet or pizza pan, and an oven—nothing complicated here.
- Budget-friendly: Made with basic pantry staples, this dessert won’t break the bank but feels like a special treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups): The base for a simple, chewy pizza crust—nothing fancy required.
- Baking powder (2 tsp): Gives the crust a little lift without needing yeast or rising time.
- Sugar (2 tbsp for dough, ¼ cup for topping): A touch in the dough for sweetness, plus more for that classic cinnamon-sugar crunch.
- Salt (½ tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Milk (½ cup, warm): Helps the dough come together; warm it slightly for easier mixing.
- Butter (4 tbsp, melted, divided): Some for the dough, some for the topping to create that rich, buttery flavor.
- Cinnamon (2 tsp): The star of the topping—use fresh cinnamon for the best warm, spicy kick.
- Powdered sugar (¾ cup): For the sweet vanilla glaze that takes this pizza to the next level.
- Vanilla extract (½ tsp): Adds a cozy, aromatic note to the glaze.
- Milk (1–2 tbsp for glaze): To thin the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
(Note: A complete list of ingredients with exact measurements is included in the instructions section below.)
How to Make It (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Step 1: Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the crust from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Pro tip: If you don’t have a pizza pan, a regular baking sheet works fine—just shape the dough into a rough circle or rectangle.
Step 2: Make the dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter and ½ cup of warm milk. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a soft dough forms. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. Knead the dough gently in the bowl for about 30 seconds until smooth. Note: Don’t overwork the dough—it should be soft and slightly tacky.
Step 3: Shape the crust
On a lightly floured surface, roll or press the dough into a 12-inch circle (or spread it out on your baking sheet to fit). Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and use your fingers to create a slight lip around the edges for that classic pizza crust look. Poke a few holes in the dough with a fork to prevent air bubbles while baking. Heads-up: If the dough springs back while rolling, let it rest for a minute to relax.
Step 4: Add the cinnamon-sugar topping
In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup of sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Brush the dough with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top, leaving a small border around the edges. Press the topping gently with your fingers to help it stick. Pro tip: For extra crunch, add a tablespoon of coarse sugar (like turbinado) to the topping mix.
Step 5: Bake the pizza
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the topping is bubbly and slightly caramelized. Rotate the pan halfway through for even baking. The kitchen will smell like a cinnamon roll bakery—get ready! Note: Keep an eye on it toward the end to avoid burning the sugar.
Step 6: Make the glaze
While the pizza cools slightly, whisk together ¾ cup of powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1–2 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the milk to get a drizzle-able consistency—not too thick, not too runny. Pro tip: If you want a thicker glaze, use less milk; for a thinner drizzle, add a bit more.
Step 7: Drizzle and serve
Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the warm pizza in a zigzag pattern (use a spoon or a piping bag for precision). Slice into wedges or squares and serve immediately. For extra decadence, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side. Note: This pizza is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be reheated for a quick treat.
Helpful Tips
- Make it a party dessert: Set up a topping station with extra glaze, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), mini chocolate chips, or sliced fruit (like apples or bananas) so everyone can customize their slice. It’s a fun, interactive dessert for gatherings.
- Storing leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to crisp up the crust—microwaving can make it soggy.
- Reheating tips: To revive the texture, warm slices in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or in an air fryer at 300°F for 3–4 minutes. Add a fresh drizzle of glaze after reheating for that just-made vibe.
- Perfect pairings: Serve with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for an indulgent treat, or pair with hot cocoa, coffee, or chai tea for a cozy dessert experience. It’s also a great sweet contrast after a savory meal like pizza, tacos, or chili.
- Creative twists: Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping for crunch. For a fruity twist, scatter thinly sliced apples or pears over the cinnamon-sugar before baking. You can also swap the vanilla glaze for a cream cheese glaze (mix 2 oz cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 1–2 tbsp milk) for a richer flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this dessert pizza ahead of time?
You can prep the dough and cinnamon-sugar topping a few hours ahead and store them separately (dough in the fridge, topping at room temp). Assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture. If you need to make it fully in advance, bake, cool, and store without the glaze. Reheat and glaze before serving.
Can I freeze this dessert pizza?
Yes, but it’s best to freeze the baked crust without the glaze. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temp, reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes, and add fresh glaze. The topping may lose some crunch after freezing.
What if I don’t have a pizza pan?
No pizza pan? Use a regular baking sheet and shape the dough into a circle or rectangle. It’ll taste just as good, even if it’s not perfectly round. A cast-iron skillet also works for a crispier crust.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend (like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur). The texture might be slightly less chewy, but it’ll still be delicious. Check that your baking powder is gluten-free too.
How do I make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter (like Earth Balance) instead of regular butter and swap the milk in the dough and glaze for almond, oat, or soy milk. The flavor will be just as sweet and satisfying.
This Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza is my go-to for any occasion that calls for a fun, sweet treat—I probably make it once every couple of weeks, especially when friends are over. My favorite way to serve it is warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for dipping. Give it a try and let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear your favorite toppings or how it turned out in your kitchen!
Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza
Ingredients
- For the Base:
- 13.8 oz refrigerated pizza crust e.g., Pillsbury
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- For the Streusel Topping:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- For the Icing:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a pizza pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough onto the prepared pan.
- Spread the butter: Evenly spread the softened butter over the dough.
- Add cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, mix together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
- Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine cold, cubed butter, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Add the streusel: Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the cinnamon-sugar mixture on the dough.
- Bake: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 9–10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for 5–10 minutes.
- Prepare the icing: While the pizza is cooling, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Drizzle and serve: Drizzle the prepared icing over the warm pizza. Slice into 8 pieces and serve.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, bake the pizza a few minutes longer until the edges are golden brown.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and are best enjoyed within 2 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
