Caramel Apple Pizza Recipe

I just love trying new recipes and, I love pizza so, so I thought, why not try a fruit pizza. I know that fruit pizza is nothing new but, this is the first time I've ever made it.

I had a couple of fresh Granny Smithe apples in the refrigerator so I decided to make this caramel apple pizza. And, what a wonderful sweet treat it is. This is perfect hot out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh! doesn't that sound good?

First I made my standard pizza dough. While the dough was rising I peeled and cubed two Ganny Smith apples.

 The recipe and measurements are all below. I melted the butter in a medium saucepan. 

Then add the apples and all other ingredients into the pan.

Stir together until it comes to a slight boil then you can remove it from the heat. 

Next, I greased an 11-inch x 17-inch pizza pan. 

Spread the dough and brush it with 1 tablespoon of melted butter before pouring the apple mixture.


I baked this at 450 degrees on the center rack of the oven for 15 minutes. I melted Kraft Caramel Bits and drizzled it over the top. Then mixed my white icing made with powdered sugar and milk and drizzled it over the caramel.

Here is what I used for the dough:

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tablespoons Crisco or vegetable oil
1-1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 package dry yeast

Add the warm water into a mixing bowl then add the yeast. When the mixture begins to bubble add the oil.

Now, add the flour and begin mixing until you have a nice firm ball of dough. I always use my KitchenAid Stand mixer for this part. Cover and set the dough aside to let it rise. About one hour until it doubles in size.

For the Apple Topping:

2 Granny Smith Apples (peeled and cubed)
4 tablespoons butter melted
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon All Spice
1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, add the apples and the remaining ingredients. Stir over medium heat until it boils then remove it from the heat.

The Caramel:

1/4 cup Kraft Caramel Bits
1 tablespoon Milk

In a microwave-safe bowl melt for 30 seconds at a time. Stirring in between, I did this three times for a total of 90 seconds. This gave me a nice smooth caramel to drizzle.

The White Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk

I whisked this in a small bowl until it was nice and creamy. Then drizzle it over the caramel.

Vietnamese Cinnamon Ground By Penzeys Spices 1.7 oz 1/2 cup

This Penzeys Vietnamese Cinnamon is the best we've ever used. It is extremely aromatic and so flavorful and sweet. You only need to use about 2/3 of what any recipe calls for.

Mix this with some white sugar and enjoy it on your toast, hot cereal, or waffles. For amazing pancakes add some of this to the batter. This also is a perfect addition to your coffee or hot chocolate.

Kraft, Caramel Bits, 11oz Bag (Pack of 3)


Here is another favorite we like to use when baking. These Kraft Caramel Bits really come in handy during the Holidays.

 No need to unwrap your caramels anymore these are perfect for baking and ready to use right out of the bag.

Norpro Wood Pastry/Pizza Roller

And, let's remember one of my favorites. The Norpro Pastry and Dough Roller. This little kitchen gadget works wonders with pastry and pizza dough.

I've had this little tool for years and, it makes rolling out the dough so easy. Especially pizza dough. The small end is contoured which really helps get to dough right to the edge of the pan.

As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy.

Mini Strawberry Pies Recipe

Last week, Fran and I were waiting to see the doctor for one of her eye appointments. Fran started talking about some healthy recipes that we should try, then she said, " You know, we have some fresh strawberries, you should make some mini strawberry pies.

So, somehow we went from healthy recipes to desserts. I'm not one to argue because Farn always knows best. I wanted to make sure everything in this recipe was fresh, right down to the whipped cream.

Grow Fresh Strawberries with this 5-Tier Planter

I started by making this easy strawberry pie gelatin

Here is what I used:

9 fresh strawberries
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup water
1-1/4 sugar
3 tablespoons corn starch

I put the 9 strawberries, lemon juice, and water into my NutriBullet to make a liquid base.

This yielded 2 cups of liquid. If you don't have a NutriBullet, you can do this in a blender.



Using a saucepan on medium heat, add the liquid and sugar. Bring this to a boil, add the cornstarch a little at a time, stirring constantly until it thickens, then remove it from the heat. I placed the gelatin in a bowl and refrigerated it while I made the pie crust.

Easy Pie Crust Dough: 

2-1/2 cups flour
1 cup cold butter (cut into small pieces)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 to 5 tablespoons ice-cold water

I added the flour, butter, sugar, and salt into my KitchenAid mixing bowl. Using the batter attachment, I mixed until crumbs formed and the butter was cut in.

Then add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms.

I rolled the dough into a log, cut it in half, wrapped it in plastic, and refrigerated it.
After 30 minutes, I rolled the dough out on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thick. I cut circles about 3.5 inches in diameter. You can use a cookie cutter or whatever you have on hand.

To roll out my dough, I use this handy Norpro Pastry/Pizza dough roller. I think this handy tool gives you much more control than using a rolling pin.

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Norpro Wood Pastry/Pizza Roller

I sprayed a muffin tin with Baker's Joy No-Stick Baking Spray and carefully formed the crust in the tins. Then baked these at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Fill each mini crust with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the gelatin.

I cut strawberries in half and placed them on top of the gelatin. This recipe yielded 18 nice little mini strawberry pies. I used 9 more strawberries for this, plus whatever Tyler was eating while we finished these.

I topped these tasty, sweet treats with homemade whipped cream using this simple, quick recipe from Berly's Kitchen. Click the link to get this easy, creamy whipped cream recipe. While you're on their site, take a look at more of their amazing recipes.

I had to hurry with this, as Tyler was eating the whipped cream by the spoonful as we topped them off.  

As always, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy.

Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer SystemKitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart,Wilton Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Regular Muffin PanBakers Joy Cake Pan Spray 2 PackAteco 1440 Plain Edge Round Cutters in Graduated Sizes, StainlessZenker Non-Stick Carbon Steel Mini Tart Pans, 4-Inch Diameter, Set

Easter Rice Pie

Easter Rice Pie

This traditional Italian Easter rice pie is one that my mother made every year. I finally found the recipe and just had to make it this year.

There are several different versions of this recipe. I think the most popular is made with ricotta cheese and I will be making that one also.

This rice pie recipe is made with pineapple and raisins and is a delicious dessert any time of the year. So you don't have to wait for Easter every year to make this.

 Here is what I used for this Italian Rice Pie Recipe:

2 cups cooked and cooled white rice (1/2 cup uncooked = 2 cups cooked)
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1-1/4 cup sugar
1/2 Tsp. lemon extract
7 large eggs
1-20oz. can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp grated orange rind

This is how I made my Easter Rice Pie:

I started by boiling my rice for about 15 minutes. Then remove it from the heat add the butter and cover the pot.

While the rice was cooling down I added the eggs, sugar, lemon extract, and orange rind in my KitchenAid mixer and beat these together using the whisk attachment.

Then I added the cooled rice, crushed pineapple (juice and all), and raisins into my mixture.



I stirred everything together with a spoon to make sure all of my ingredients were well-mixed. I greased a 9-inch x 13-inch glass baking dish with butter and poured my mixture in.

The oven was already preheated to 350 degrees, I baked my Italian rice pie on the center rack for one hour.

This is my rice pie right out of the oven. I let this cool completely and then put it in the refrigerator for about an hour before cutting it.

You can also cook this in 9-inch pie plates. I'd say that you may need two or three of them. Your cooking time may be a little less if you use pie plates.

As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy!

These are the kitchen tools I used to make this delicious dessert

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KitchenAid K45SSOB 4.5-Quart Classic Series Stand Mixer, Onyx BlackOXO Good Grips GraterPyrex Basics 3 Quart Glass Oblong Baking Dish with Red

Here is your shopping list for this delicious dessert. Have it all delivered right to your door.

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Carolina Enriched Rice Long Grain 5 lbsDomino Sugar, Granulated, 4LB CanisterMcCormick Pure Lemon Extract, 8 fl ozDole Pineapple in Juice Crushed - 20 ozDole California Seedless Raisins, 12 Ounce

Quick Easy Lemon Bars

Quick Easy Lemon Bars: 

Well, since I had plenty of fresh lemons left over from what my cousin sent me from his backyard lemon trees I needed more recipes with lemons.

Jimmy was so kind to also send me his easy lemon bars recipe and easy is the keyword in this one. These lemon bars are so easy to make and such a treat for friends and family.

How to Make the Crust:

2 cups flour
1 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Dash of Salt 1/8 teaspoon

I placed the butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt into my KitchenAid mixing bowl.

Using the flat bar attachment I mixed this to a crumbly consistency.  Spread this mixture into a 9-inch x 13-inch ungreased glass baking dish. Firmly press this into the bottom of the dish to form a crust. I pre heated my oven to 350 degrees and baked the crust for 20 minutes on the center rack.

Quick Easy Lemon Bars: Filling

4 eggs beaten
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Powdered sugar to dust finished bars

Again, using my KitchenAid I added the eggs, lemon juice, and sugar.


Using the whisk attachment I mixed this on medium speed until the sugar was dissolved. Now, pour this batter over the hot crust and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

After the lemon bars have been out of the oven for about 15 minutes sprinkle with powdered sugar. This will yield 24 squares (3 equal cuts down the length and 5 cuts across the width).

You may also like my Quick Lemon Meringue Pie

As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy.

Grow your own fresh lemons with these indoor/outdoor trees.

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Meyer Lemon Tree - Fruiting Size/Branched Plant - 8Brighter Blooms Improved Meyer Lemon Tree, Dwarf Fruit Tree with