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| Dessert Pizza - 10 Tips to Ensure Your Cooking Success |
Years ago, when I was with my husband, I had an authentic
pizza. It was nothing like American version. When the server brought my order I
was shocked to see it covered the entire dinner plate. The thin, crispy crust
had been lightly brushed with tomato sauce and the melted cheese smelled a bit
like wood smoke. Italian seasonings dotted the top.
It was the best pizza I ever ate and I ate it all.
Americans have changed the meaning of pizza. We now have
deep dish pizza, filled crust pizza, barbecue pizza (a cross between two
cuisines), breakfast pizza, vegetarian pizza, and the latest food trend,
dessert pizza. Like its namesake, dessert pizza varies from region to region.
But one aspect -- a firm, sweet crust to support the fruit -- is universal.
Hundreds of dessert pizza recipes, crust, cream cheese
layer, and topping, are posted on the Internet. This is a flashy dessert. But
even experienced cooks can make a mistake or two and your dessert could turn into
a disaster. Follow these tips for pizza success.
1. To save time, use a brownie mix, cake mix, cookie mix, or
refrigerated sugar cookie or chocolate chip cookie dough for the base.
2. This dessert is usually made with fresh fruit, but you
may use canned. Make sure you drain the fruit well and dry it with paper
towels.
3. Combine cream cheese and whipped cream or topping for a
rich, cheesecake-like flavor.
4. Bring out the flavor of fresh fruit by adding pure
vanilla or almond extract to the cream cheese.
5. To prevent fresh fruit from turning brown, glaze the
pizza with one cup of fruit jam (marmalade, strawberry, raspberry, or apricot)
that has been thinned with a tablespoon or more of water.
6. Lower the calories by using so-called "free"
whipped topping and fat-free cream cheese.
7. Make mini pizzas with cookies to lower the calories.
Serve two to each person.
8. For added texture, garnish the pizza with toasted
coconut, almonds or walnuts.
9. Make the pizza an hour or two before serving. If you make
it too far in advance the crust will become soggy.
10. Ask kids to help you. Kids love to frost cookies and
they will enjoy frosting a large or mini pizzas.
Think about contrasting colors, raspberries and blueberries,
for example, when you are making the pizza. Also think about unusual
combinations, such as fresh pears drizzled with chocolate sauce. Color attracts
the eyes and the appetite. Family members and friends will be eager to
"dig in" to your fabulous dessert.
