Chocolate Pizza

We’ve all heard of and love pizza for breakfast. But what about when you want pizza and something sweet? Pizza for dessert might sound ludicrous, but this chocolate pizza recipe is an easy and creative way to satisfy both cravings and impress even the harshest critic. It features a decadent base of melted vanilla and chocolate chips, chewy marshmallows, crispy rice cereal and crunchy walnuts that tastes like a cross between chocolate fudge and a candy bar.

Dessert pizzas take some liberties so the treats look like pizza but taste like dessert. Instead of pepperoni, tomato sauce and mozzarella, they turn to fresh fruit, creamy pudding and nuts for colorful toppings with varied textures. This chocolate pizza recipe uses brightly colored maraschino cherries (try Luxardo cherries for even bigger cherry flavor) and sweet, shredded coconut for that classic red and white pizza combination over the chocolate base.

Play with the toppings or mix-ins to make this recipe for chocolate pizza your own. Use fresh strawberries or blueberries instead of cherries, substitute different nuts, or drizzle it with caramel or melted peanut butter. Go all out and make it a triple-layer dessert by spreading the chocolate base over baked sugar cookie or pie dough. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, need a potluck dessert for a crowd or want a sweet treat for after dinner, this chocolate pizza will do the job every time.

Chocolate Pizza Ingredients

• Vanilla or white chips
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Miniature marshmallows
• Crisp rice cereal
• Walnuts
• Maraschino cherries
• Sweetened shredded coconut
• Canola oil

Directions

Step 1: Make the chocolate pizza base

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups vanilla chips and the chocolate chips.

Microwave it on high for two minutes. Then, microwave it for another one to two minutes and stir until smooth.

Editor’s Tip: Microwaving the chocolate in intervals evenly melts the chips and prevents them from overheating or burning.

Immediately add the marshmallows, cereal and walnuts.

Step 2: Assemble the pizza

Spread the chocolate mixture evenly on a 13-inch pizza pan that has been coated with cooking spray.

Arrange the cherries on top and sprinkle with coconut.

Step 3: Garnish, refrigerate and serve

Microwave the remaining vanilla chips on high for one minute.

Add the oil and stir until smooth.

Drizzle it over the pizza.

Chill the pizza until firm and serve it at room temperature.

How to Store Chocolate Pizza

Slice leftover chocolate pizza and store it in airtight food storage containers in the refrigerator. The pizza will last up to four days.

Chocolate Pizza Tips

What else can I put on chocolate pizza?

You can top a chocolate pizza recipe with almost anything you can think of that tastes good with chocolate, from fruit or candy to potato chips. Fruits with a tart edge, like raspberries, strawberries or blackberries, will help cut the overall sweetness of the dessert. For more crunch, scatter toasted chopped pecans, almonds or hazelnuts over the pizza.

To make it more decadent, top it with M&M’s, mini peanut butter cups, salted caramel truffles or toffee bits. For a sweet-salty vibe, add crushed pretzels, potato chips, a sprinkle of sea salt or, if you like experimenting, a good melting cheese, as in Colombian hot chocolate.

Can I make this pizza with another base?

If you want to change the base, try different combinations of chips and stir-ins or spread the chocolate mixture over a layer of baked pastry or cookie dough. You could use all vanilla chips, though it will be much sweeter, or half peanut butter chips and half chocolate chips. Bake one of the best cookie doughs in the pizza pan and then top with the chocolate mixture to add another layer. For a heartier alternative, spread the chocolate over a regular pizza crust to make it look like an actual pizza.

What other shape/size of pan can I use for this recipe?

While a round pan gives this dessert the most authentic pizza appearance, you can use whatever pans you have on hand. To keep the chocolate base from becoming too thick, use two smaller round or square cake pans. You can also press the base into a rectangular rimmed baking sheet for a grandma pizza-style dessert.