Ingredients:

  • 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 1 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast
  • ¾ cup Warm Water (105–115°F)
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 1 Large Egg, beaten
  • 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup Powdered Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 3 large Firm Apples (Granny Smith/Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar, packed (for apples)
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
  • ½ cup All-Purpose Flour (for crumble)
  • ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar, packed (for crumble)
  • 3 tablespoons Cold Unsalted Butter, cubed (for crumble)

Instructions:

  1. Activate Yeast & Mix Dough: Combine yeast, warm water, and 1 tsp sugar; let bloom for 5 minutes. Mix remaining dough ingredients (flour, salt, melted butter, egg) in a stand mixer. Knead until smooth (about 8 minutes).
  2. First Rise: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled (approx. 60–90 minutes).
  3. Prepare Toppings: While dough rises, make the streusel by cutting the cold butter into the flour and brown sugar until coarse crumbs form; chill. Mix sliced apples with ¼ cup brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice; set aside.
  4. Prepare Creamy Base: Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy; set aside.
  5. Preheat & Shape: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Punch down dough, shape into a rough 12-inch circle, and place on a lightly floured pizza peel or parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Par-Bake (Crucial Step): Brush the dough edges lightly with melted butter. Bake the naked crust for 5 minutes until slightly puffed and set.
  7. Assemble Pizza: Remove crust. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface, leaving a 1-inch border. Layer the spiced apple slices evenly over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the chilled streusel crumble over the apples.
  8. Final Bake: Return the pizza to the oven. Bake for 13–17 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender when poked with a fork.
  9. Cool & Serve: Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing the Apple Pie Pizza.