If you have a serious sweet tooth and a craving for something both nostalgic and delightfully indulgent, then you are in for a treat with this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Pizza Recipe. This dessert combines the buttery, flaky goodness of pizza dough with the crunchy, cinnamon-sugary magic of your favorite cereal, all topped with a luscious drizzle of vanilla icing. It’s playful, cozy, and perfect for sharing with friends or family any time you want a fun twist on classic cinnamon toast flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this recipe is wonderfully simple, yet each one plays a crucial role in creating layers of texture and flavor. From the crispy cereal streusel topping to the smooth, sweet icing, every element enhances the final magic of this dessert pizza.
- Pizza dough: Acts as your sturdy but soft base; refrigerated dough is an effortless, delicious option.
- Butter (melted): Adds richness and helps the cinnamon stick beautifully to the crust.
- Cinnamon: Gives a warm, cozy spice that’s essential for that classic cinnamon toast vibe.
- All-purpose flour: Works with the sugars and fats to create a crumbly, buttery streusel topping.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (lightly crushed): The star ingredient that provides crunch and nostalgic cinnamon flavor.
- White sugar and brown sugar: Together, they sweeten and contribute to the streusel’s texture and color.
- Vegetable shortening: Helps bind the streusel while keeping it perfectly crumbly and tender.
- Powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla: Combined into a drizzle-worthy icing that finishes the pizza with a sweet, creamy touch.
How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel
Start by mixing the streusel ingredients together—flour, crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch, white and brown sugars, vegetable shortening, and melted butter. Use a fork or your clean hands to blend everything until you have a crumbly, cohesive topping. This streusel will bring both crunch and flavor when baked on top of the dough.
Step 2: Shape the Pizza Dough
Take your pizza dough and pat it into a 12-inch pizza pan sprayed lightly with oil to prevent sticking. Use a fork to prick the dough all over—this small step stops bubbles from forming as it bakes and keeps the crust flat and even.
Step 3: Add Butter and Cinnamon
Brush the entire surface of the dough with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. This step locks in richness and helps the cinnamon adhere beautifully. Sprinkle a generous layer of cinnamon evenly over the buttery dough to deepen that spicy-sweet profile.
Step 4: Top and Bake
Sprinkle your prepared streusel topping evenly across the cinnamon and butter-coated dough. The streusel will crisp up during baking, giving the pizza its signature crunchy, sweet topping. Bake in a 460°F oven for 8 to 9 minutes, depending on your dough’s thickness; watch closely to get that golden baked finish without burning.
Step 5: Drizzle with Icing
While your dessert pizza bakes, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth icing. Adjust the milk to reach a drizzle-friendly consistency—not too thick and not too runny. Once your pizza is out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the icing in a fun circular pinwheel pattern, making it as pretty as it is delicious.
How to Serve Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra pop of flair and flavor, consider garnishing your dessert pizza with a handful of fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or bananas. You could also add a sprinkle of extra crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch or a dusting of cinnamon sugar for that irresistible finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This dessert pizza shines best on its own, but if you want to round out the experience, pair it with a simple cup of hot coffee, vanilla ice cream, or even a refreshing scoop of Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness with tanginess.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Cinnamon Toast Crunch dessert pizza into small squares for easy sharing at parties or cut it into traditional pizza slices for a fun family treat. Serving it on a wooden board or a colorful platter brings out its playful vibe and makes it a centerpiece your guests will remember.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover dessert pizza tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Keep it at room temperature if you plan to eat it within a day, or refrigerate it for up to 3 days, where it will still be delicious but a bit chewier.
Freezing
If you want to keep this dessert pizza for longer, freeze leftover slices individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe bag. They will keep well for up to 1 month, allowing you to enjoy this sweet treat anytime a craving strikes.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to restore the streusel’s crunch. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the crust soggy and the streusel lose its crisp texture.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pizza dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough works wonderfully and can add even more flavor and texture. Just roll it out to about 12 inches before adding your toppings as described.
Is there a substitute for vegetable shortening in the streusel?
Yes, you can substitute cold butter for vegetable shortening to maintain richness and a tender crumb, though shortening helps keep the streusel extra crumbly and light.
Can I make this dessert gluten-free?
To make this dessert pizza gluten-free, try using a gluten-free pizza dough and check that your Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal is gluten-free or use a similar cinnamon-flavored gluten-free cereal for the streusel.
How do I ensure the streusel stays crunchy after baking?
Make sure not to overbake and avoid covering the pizza while it cools. Letting it cool uncovered helps the streusel to crisp up and stay crunchy instead of turning soggy.
Can I add other toppings to the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Pizza Recipe?
Definitely! If you want to get creative, try adding mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce before baking for extra layers of deliciousness.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Pizza Recipe that brings together childhood memories and grown-up indulgence in one fantastic bite. It’s easy to make, fun to share, and simply irresistible. Next time you want to wow your tastebuds with a playful dessert, give this pizza a whirl—you won’t be disappointed!
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Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 23 to 24 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Pizza combines the nostalgic flavor of the classic cinnamon cereal with a sweet, buttery streusel topping on a flaky pizza dough crust. Finished with a smooth vanilla glaze drizzle, this easy-to-make dessert offers a delightful twist on traditional pizza, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 portion pizza dough (about 12-inch size, store-bought refrigerated dough recommended)
- 1 TBSP butter, melted
- Cinnamon, for sprinkling
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, lightly crushed
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 TBSP vegetable shortening
- 2 TBSP melted butter
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 TBSP milk (plus additional if needed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, lightly crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, white sugar, and brown sugar. Add the vegetable shortening and melted butter. Mix thoroughly using a fork or clean hands until the mixture forms a crumbly streusel texture. Set aside.
- Prepare the Pizza Dough: Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan with oil. Pat the pizza dough evenly onto the pan, forming a 12-inch base. Perforate the dough all over with a fork to prevent bubbles from forming during baking.
- Butter and Cinnamon Layer: Brush the surface of the dough evenly with 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon all over the buttered crust to infuse that signature warm flavor.
- Add Streusel Topping: Evenly distribute the prepared streusel mixture over the entire surface of the dough, pressing lightly to ensure it adheres but maintaining the crumbly texture.
- Bake the Dessert Pizza: Preheat your oven to 460°F (238°C). Place the pizza pan in the oven and bake the dessert pizza for 8 to 9 minutes, adjusting slightly depending on the dough thickness, until the crust is golden and the streusel topping is crisp.
- Prepare the Icing Drizzle: While baking, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and of drizzle consistency. If too thick, add a few drops more milk to thin as needed.
- Finish and Serve: Once the pizza is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Drizzle the icing over the top in a circular pinwheel pattern. Slice into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- Perforating the dough helps to prevent air bubbles from forming during baking.
- Lightly crushing the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal helps the streusel hold together better while preserving texture.
- Baking time may vary slightly depending on oven and dough thickness; watch for a golden crust.
- The icing consistency can be adjusted by adding more milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Use vegetable shortening in the streusel for a crumblier texture; butter alone may make it denser.
- Store leftover dessert pizza in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; best eaten fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American

