Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza with Sourdough Pizza Crust
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If you love cherry pie and fresh-baked pizza crust, this dessert brings both together in the best way. Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza layers jammy spiced cherries over a sourdough crust and finishes it with a sweet vanilla glaze. The texture is a perfect mix of crisp edges, gooey fruit, and soft dough. It tastes like your favorite summer pie turned into a handheld slice.
The whole thing starts with a sourdough pizza base (just like the peach version) and comes together with a homemade cherry pie filling and simple powdered sugar glaze. It’s baked like a pizza but eats like a slice of pie. Prep is minimal, especially if you already have your dough ready. This one’s great for cookouts, brunch, or a fun weeknight bake.
Why You’ll Love Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza
- Familiar Flavors, Fun Format: Classic cherry pie filling meets pizza night. What’s not to love?
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The cherry filling and glaze can both be made in advance to save time.
- Effortless Ingredient Prep: No peeling required for cherries. Just toss them in, fresh or frozen.
- Party-Ready Presentation: Bakes up like a pizza so it’s easy to slice and serve at any gathering.
- Versatile Crust Base: Works with sourdough, store-bought, or even flatbread crusts.
Ingredients Needed To Make Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
Cherry Pie Filling
- Cherries (fresh or frozen)
- Water
- Orange zest (optional)
- Almond extract (or vanilla)
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Ground cinnamon
Vanilla Glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
Other
- Prepared sourdough pizza dough (or store bought pizza crust)
Oven Temperatures
Oven temperatures can vary significantly from one oven to another. To achieve consistent results, it’s crucial to know the exact temperature inside your oven. The safest and most accurate way to determine this is by using an oven thermometer. This simple tool can help you avoid underbaking or overbaking your treats.
Variations and Substitutions
- Pantry Shortcut: Use canned cherries (drained) if fresh or frozen aren’t available.
- Flavor Twist: Sub vanilla for almond extract for a different flavor profile.
- Texture Boost: Add a handful of chopped toasted nuts on top before baking for crunch.
- Topping Swap: Swap in a lemon glaze or cream cheese drizzle instead of vanilla.
How To Make Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza
- Make the Cherry Filling: Combine cherries, sugar, orange zest, almond extract, cinnamon, and a cornstarch slurry in a pot. Simmer until thick and jammy. Cool completely.
- Prebake the Crust (optional): If you like it crispier, bake the dough at high heat for a few minutes before adding toppings.
- Assemble and Bake: Spread cooled cherry filling onto dough. Bake until the edges are golden and the fruit is bubbling.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle with vanilla glaze once slightly cooled. Slice and serve warm or room temp.
Commonly Asked Questions
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Let the dessert pizza cool completely, then store slices in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in a toaster oven or regular oven to bring back that crusty texture.
Get all the best baking tips!
Wondering how in the world to get the BEST bake every time? We’ve laid it all out for you.
Can I Freeze Dessert Pizza?
You can. For best texture, freeze the slices without glaze. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. When you’re ready to serve, reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through and crisp again. Add glaze just before serving.
Can I Use Store-Bought Dough?
Absolutely. Any pre-made dough or even flatbread will do the trick. Sourdough adds great flavor and chewiness, but it’s not a must.
Does It Have to Be Served Warm?
Nope. This tastes great at room temp too. Let it cool slightly after baking so the filling sets and it’s easier to slice.
Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza
Equipment
- Stock Pot
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and cherry pitter (if using fresh cherries)
- Rolling pin (optional, for dough)
- Baking sheet or pizza stone
Ingredients
- 3 cups cherries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tsp orange zest optional
- ½ tsp almond extract or sub vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- sourdough pizza crust or store bought pizza crust
Glaze
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- If using fresh cherries, pit and stem them.
- In a small bowl, stir together the water and cornstarch to make a slurry.
- In a stock pot over medium-low heat, combine cherries, orange zest, sugar, almond extract, cinnamon, and slurry.
- Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the filling thickens to a jam-like consistency.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely before using.
Make the Glaze
- Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Adjust with more milk (½ tsp at a time) if a thinner consistency is desired.
To Assemble the Dessert Pizza
- Prepare sourdough pizza dough as directed.
- Prebake the crust at 450°F for 6–8 minutes if desired for crispier texture.
- Spread cooled cherry filling evenly over crust.
- Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes or until the edges are golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Let cool slightly, then drizzle with glaze before slicing.
Notes
Substitutions
- Cherries: Use frozen (no need to thaw) or canned, drained
- Almond extract: Vanilla works fine
- Orange zest: Optional, but adds brightness
- Milk (glaze): Can use non-dairy alternatives
Nutrition
This one surprised me with how fast it disappeared. The combo of gooey cherry filling and soft crust hits the spot every time. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a treat but is still easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. I’ll definitely be making it again when I need something fun and fruity.