Last updated on September 19th, 2014
I MADE THIS APPLE PIZZA LAST NIGHT, and can tell you it’s beyond delicious. The shortbread cookie crust is tender but dense (just like me). And the apples are flavored with only brown sugar and dots of butter. It’s the perfect, not-too-sweet treat for Afternoon Tea, dessert, or breakfast. Care for a taste?
Here’s the photo-heavy step-by-step version of the recipe, followed by a picture-less copy-and-paste version:
Shortbread Apple Pizza
Ingredients for one 10-inch diameter “pizza,” or 8 servings
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and diced, plus one extra tablespoon for dotting the apples
3-4 Tablespoons ice water
3-4 baking apples (I used Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
To make the shortbread crust, tip flour, salt and sugar into the work bowl of a food processor. Process for two seconds just to combine.
And one very cold, diced-up stick of butter.
Pulse 10-20 times, or until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
With the processor running, quickly add 3-4 Tablespoons of ice water, and then immediately turn the machine off.
The dough will look fairly dry. But if it holds together when pressed between your fingers (as above), it’s ready to go. (If the dough doesn’t hold together, just add a little more water, and process again.)
Now tear off a sheet of plastic wrap, and place it on your work-station.
Dump the dough onto the plastic wrap.
Using two hands (I’m using one hand, because I’m also taking pictures), form the pastry into a rough mound…
Then pat the mound into a disk, and cover it with the plastic wrap.
Chill the dough for at least one hour, or freeze it for 15 minutes.
And if you plan to make this apple pizza sometime in the distant future, you can freeze the dough for up to 6 months, if not a year…or a decade…or a century.
On a lightly-floured board or pie crust measuring sheet, roll the dough into a 10-inch diameter circle.
And please note: You don’t have to form your pastry into a circle. You can form it into a rectangle, a square, or some free-form shape your rolling pin invents for you.
Rolling pins can be very inventive. I once had a cheap pin that could create only shapes that resembled the continent of Africa.
To make the rolled-out dough easy to transfer, just fold it like this…
And then unfold it on a baking sheet that you’ve lined with parchment paper.
Pop the baking sheet into the fridge for a few minutes, ’cause we’ve got some apples to slice!
Oh. Now is the time to set your oven rack at the lower-middle position, and to preheat the oven to 400°F.
Peel, core, and slice the apples. If you slice them 1/16-inch thick, you’ll need only 3 medium-size apples for this pizza.
Lay the slices atop the dough, extending them right to the edge. You can arrange them haphazardly in a single layer. Or, you can try, as I did, to achieve some kind of “design.”
Well, I tried.
Sprinkle some brown sugar over the top…
And then dot the fruit with bits of butter.
Bake until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender — 20-30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes or so.
Folks, this dessert smells divine…
The shortbread crust is tender, but firm enough for eating out of hand.
The taste will knock you off your feet. Think of a shortbread cookie, with slightly-sweetened apples on top. You could enjoy a slice with yogurt for breakfast, or with ice cream for dessert.
I hope you’re drooling right about now.
Here’s a photo-less, copy-and-paste version of the above:
Shortbread Apple Pizza
Ingredients for one 10-inch diameter “pizza,” or 8 servings
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and diced, plus one extra tablespoon for dotting the apples
3-4 Tablespoons ice water
3-4 apples which will hold their shape when cooked (such as ‘Granny Smith’ or ‘Golden Delicious’), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark as you please)The crust – Pour the flour, salt and sugar into the bowl of a food processor; process for 2 seconds just to combine. Add the egg yolk and butter; pulse the machine 10-20 times, until the butter breaks up, and the mixture resembles coarse meal. With the processor running, quickly add 3-4 tablespoons of ice water, and then promptly turn the machine off. off.
Now test the dough by pressing a small amount between your fingers. If it holds together, mixing is complete. Otherwise, add a little more water, and process again.
Pour the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap, roughly form it into a ball, and then pat it into a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Or, freeze the dough for 15 minutes. (Shortbread dough can be frozen for months.)
On a lightly-floured surface, roll the shortbread into a 10-inch diameter circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes.
Set oven rack at the lower-middle position; preheat oven to 400°F.
Peel and core the apples; slice them thinly (I sliced mine 1/16-inch thick). Arrange the slices on the shortbread crust, making sure they extend all the way to the edge. You can arrange the slices decoratively,or simply scatter them in a single layer.
Top the apples with the brown sugar; dot with butter.
Bake until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender — 20-30 minutes. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Serving – Use a pizza-cutter (or knife) to make 8 equal slices; serve hot, warm, or cold, with or without ice cream, sour cream, creme fraiche or yogurt.
Think you’ll try this Shortbread Apple Pizza? You can let me know by leaving a comment. As always, I cherish your words.
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Brenda Johnson says
Oh that looks delicious!! I’d be happy to taste test if you deliver!!! 🙂 Shortbread base- very interesting concept!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brenda – See what happens when you’re not around? I had to eat the entire “pizza” all by myself! Delicious, delicious, delicious. (Burp.)
Shannon A says
Looks divine! I actually have all the ingredients and I would love to make it tonight! However, I’m not sure what to do after the fold in half, then fold the half in half step? Do I re-roll it out into a circle? From the pictures it seems that’s what you did, but I want to be sure. Thanks for a lovely recipe!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Shannon A – I folded my rolled-out dough so it would be easy to move to the baking sheet. Then I simply unfolded it. (Hope that makes sense!)
Misty Morgan says
OMG! Ok, Kevin…I’m drooling now! I so want to make this delicious recipe with my apple from my apple tree. It’s been in the 100’s here in Apple Valley, CA and I really didn’t want to turn on that oven, but I may have to now. LOL I remember that when I made your Apple cheese turnovers, I couldn’t stop eating them because they were so good. As always, I look forward to all your yummy recipes,Kevin. Thanks so much for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
Tonia says
I am making this right now! Can’t wait to taste it. Smells heavenly. Thanks for sharing!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Misty Morgan- If the apples from your tree are a baking-variety (i.e., hold their shape when cooked) then by all means use them! (And I’m jealous. From my “orchard” I harvested exactly one apple!)
Tonia – Great! Let me know how it turns out for you…
Andrea D says
Hey Kevin- thanks for this!! Actually a dollop of Greek vanilla yoghurt would be supremely perfect! I like it better than ice cream… seriously.
Eliza J says
That sounds awesome! I’ve never been good at making pie crust….
Rhonda says
Love the puppy dog in the background!!
Hoping for a taste too.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Andrea D – And the best Greek yoghurt (or yogurt)? Homemade!
Hi Eliza J – Not to worry. Shortbread crust is very forgiving.
Rhonda – Hope you’ll give this pizza a try!
Betty G says
Will try it as soon as you let me know when that food processor I hope to win will get here… LOL
Looks delicious!
Katy says
I made this last night and it was absolutely DIVINE! Thanks for the recipe. Think what other fruit I could use…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Katy – So glad you tried the pizza — and liked it!
Kate Wilson says
I love this!!! Thank you!
janis Cortright says
looks delicious
Mary says
so can you make the shortbread crust without a food processor? Love the sound and smell of it cooking…yes I got it through the pics! Thanks.
juanita says
Yes, I am going outside to pick the apples off my tree and surprise my children when they get home later.
Angelia says
Mmmmmmmmm….looks divine! Love your site, BTW. I’m a relatively new follower via email. Happy Autumn! to you.
Joann says
HI Kevin…..Looks devine!! Do you have any more good apple receipes, just picked a bushel and need some more good ones!! Lily is a lucky pooch!!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Joann – If you scroll up to the top of this site…hover your mouse over “Cooking”… and then click on “Desserts,” you’ll find lots of apple recipes! Among them: Tarte Tatin, Oven Baked Apple Slices, and Flaming Apple Crepes.
Lyne Barnes says
Hi Kevin this is a wonderful idea. I think it is missing one thing, cinnamon. A sprinkle of cinnamon before you lay the apples down or with the brown sugar complete it.
LIving up here in Canada I love to read your posts and dean about all the plants you so easily grown in your area. Thank you for rising my spirits, with your spring plantings when we are still up to our ears in snow.
blake says
Thank you for this recipe. It not everyday one comes across a yummy recipe without having to use spices of cinnamon , nutmeg and allspice and of which I can’t have for a while
Joy says
Shall definitely be trying this one! Shortbread. Apples. What could be better?
Tammy says
What are your thoughts about baking this on a pizza stone?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Tammy – It’s a cookie crust — no need for a pizza stone.
Susan in MI says
Perfect timing, Kevin!! Heading out to pick apples in the orchards. The whitetails get the windfalls though I have seen does rear up on their hind legs to snatch apples off the tree branches. So grateful to have an abundance of “free” fruit this year considering the strange Spring weather last year killed the buds on everything but the grapes.
Valerie C. says
My family is going to love this! I can’t wait to make it. Thanks again!
Kay daniels says
Man, I need to win the Cuisinart give-a-way so I can make this. It sounds so simple and quick to do with one of those machines! I am drooling…
John Root says
I think I might make this for my guests from Provence, this coming weekend. A touch of pizza ( although better) and local fruit. Sounds great. Thanks for the idea. You have “saved my bacon” on more than one occasion. 🙂
Ingrid C says
If you want to make perfectly even slices of apples, these are great http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/151117902790?lpid=87 (I’m using the URL because it’s the only way I can think of to send you a photo of one. I have no idea if the particular one this guy is selling is any good). My mother had one on her farm in the 1930’s and they used it a lot to slice apples for drying. The machines became all the rage over here (Australia) about 10 years ago. At my kids’ school, the students can take an apple to the canteen and pay 20 cents and, at lunch time, the apple is returned to them as a slinky. The children consider this to be a premium treat.
Susan McAuliffe says
i WILL BE MAKING THIS IN TWO WEEKS WHEN I WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE IT WITH OUR SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND TRIPLET GRANDCHILDREN WHEN WE GET TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE MY HUSBAND AND MY 49TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. I THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE. APPLES ARE MY FAVORITE FRUIT, APPLE PIE IS MY FAVORITE PIE AND NOW THIS. i CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT.
Diane says
Apples? shortbread? Two of my favorites. I am definitely in.
Barb says
Can’t wait to try the apple shortbread. I can almost smell and taste it. Sounds absolutely delicious. Thank you for your recipes.
Mary Ann says
Pinned this one, we have loads of Granny Smiths coming in right now!
anita says
Sounds wonderful. I will definitely try this soon.
I think you should feature Lily in your cookbook.
Margie Schaecher says
Oh, this is a must do for my granddaughter’s birthday …she’s apple crazy and loves anything made with apples. I wonder if using my blender would work (since I don’t have a food processor) any thoughts on this or other ideas?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Margie Schaecher – A blender won’t work, but you could certainly use a pastry-blending gadget, or even your own fingers to mix the dough. The goal is to incorporate the butter into the flour so that it resembles coarse meal.
Diana Zee says
Hi Kevin,
I was a Kindergarten teacher and we actually made apple pizza every Fall with the children doing the cooking. For the crust we used real pizza dough instead and then put on the apples, cinnamon and a little sugar. The kids loved it.
Thank you for your wonderful website. After visiting your gardens this summer and meeting you, I am hooked. I enjoy everything so much.
I’m even doing my weeds with vinegar and I’ve bought a microfiber dust mop. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
Thanks,
Diana
Barbara Jividen says
Looks yummy, I think I’ll try it this weekend!
Debra Haag says
I’m a sucker for shortbread. Pairing it with apples is quite the treat, thank you.
Pam says
This sounds so lovely….and Lily the Beagle is ready and willing for a taste… 🙂 Thank you for your recipe, once more Kevin!
Dana Hutchinson says
Yum Yum Yum is all I can say!!!
Katherine rossmoore says
Sounds and looks delicious and I love how your beagle is always hanging around the food, just lime mine!
Helga G says
Looks absolutely Yummy! Lily seems to think so too by the look on her face. Apple season is almost here, then I’ll have to make 2 or 3 for my Scrap-book Friends and myself.
Kenneth F says
You may call it a pizza but it looks like my desert. This would be good hot or cold. I would be adding a scoop of White Chocolate French Vanilla Ice Cream to mine. Thanks
Deb Lee says
If it’s anything like the Blueberry Crisps , a big YES. Looking forward to it, all your recipes are easy and delicious. Thanks
Katreader says
I’ll be going with “some free-form shape” my rolling pin invents for me. lol. Sadly, I got no apples from my tree this year. But I live in apple country, so I can get some good ones.
Tracey San says
Looks like another big hit! My mouth is watering and I can not wait to go apple picking next week! Just one thing…that plate, who? Where? It’s beautiful! Simple and elegant! Thanks again for another wonderful post!
Trudi Dido says
i know a certain grandson and grandaughter who will LOVE this .! and me for letting them bake it with me . Thanks!
Nancy rusinak says
Kevin, would you please share how you cut such beautiful 1/16th inch slices?
Emily Phillips says
Gee thanks. NOW I’ve got to change clothes, put on makeup and go to the store. This has got to be made tonight!!!! I WANT this NOW!!! Can’t wait to try this out on the grands and the hubby! Going to do this for Thanksgiving also!!
Donna says
Kevin,
This sounds divine! !! I think I could actually make this and not mess it up! Lol….
I especially love the pic with doggy in it. I think my pug would appreciate that:)
I’ll let you know how my dish turns out! Thanks
Joann DeLeury says
Hi Kevin……I love this time of year because there are so many goodies you can make from apples. I will try this recipe and know that it will be delicious. Lily is right there making sure your doing everything just right. Thanks for all the great recipes.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Beautiful and informative photos, AS USUAL !!
Thanks for broadening our horizons.
cecile says
Hi Kevin,
like the picture with you and (new?) glasses.
2 questions:
1) here we have not sticks of butter, can you tell me how much it is in grams ( from kilogram) ?
2) I am not allowed to eat dairy-products. What are the best products to use instead of butter and milk in baking receipes?
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Glenn says
WHAT, no Cinnamon, not only is it good on apples it is good for you. Mix the cinnamon with the brown sugar and sprinkle it on or just put it on before the brown sugar. Sum good bye.