We attended a school play at my daughter’s school yesterday and I loved every minute of it. Regardless of the fact that my son was sitting in my lap the whole time and it was a true struggle to keep the little troper under control. However, all in all things went better than expected. I came armed with water and selection of snacks and treats to keep him happy and busy. I am happy to report that it worked. No tantrums or crying fits. No wandering about and other than playing for a while with the back of the chair in front of us, no annoying or irritating the people sitting around us (a major sigh of relief from mum on the way out as we have had less successful evenings) 

Back to the play. Isn’t it amazing how quickly kids grow.

I know it doesn’t feel that way in long sleepless nights or when they are throwing a tantrum in the mall and everyone is looking at you and thinking (what’s wrong with you? can’t you control a 2-year-old?) 

 But really, when you see your child on a stage, sort of look at them through someone else’s eyes..you can’t help it. You remember the minute you first saw them and the time between then and now seems to vanish or run in fast play. 

When they walked out to salute the audience at the end, I couldn’t help tearing up (yup, I’m the emotional type. I cry when I’m watching movies too) and I couldn’t wait to hug my little one.

Pizza and dessert don’t usually come together but there a few yummy recipes which make (pizza for dessert) possible. Nutella pizza, Strawberry pizza  come to mind, and now you can add apple streusel topped pizza to the list.

Cinnamon, apples, a crunchy buttery streusel topping..do I really need to say any more? In case all that is not tempting enough I have to tell you that the apples are sautéed in butter with brown sugar and orange zest. Add cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg and you’d really have a hard time eating the topping as is and forgetting about the pizza

The recipe comes from baking obsession. Eva suggested making the streusel ahead of time and then sprinkling it on top of the baked pizza. I made it according to her suggestion and though it tasted GREAT, I have to admit I like it better when you bake the streusel along with everything else.

I served this warm with some vanilla icecream…heavenly

For the Apple and Cinnamon Streusel Pizza: recipe from baking obsession

For the streusel:

• ½ cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp (pinch) salt
• 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the sautéed apples:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• ¼ cup packed golden brown sugar
• 4 large apples (I used Gala), peeled, cored, halved and thinly sliced crosswise
• Zest of 1 small orange
• Zest of ½ lemon
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Scant ¼ tsp cardamom
• Scant ¼ tsp nutmeg

• About 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for brushing the crust before baking)

• About 1 tbsp Demerara sugar for sprinkling

Make the Apple and Cinnamon Streusel Pizza:

Make the streusel topping:

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Add the cubes of cold butter and work them into the flour using a pastry blender or your fingers (my preference here) until the mixture is crumbly.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat and sprinkle the crumbs over the sheet.

 Transfer into the refrigerator while the oven is preheating.

Center an oven rack and preheat the oven to 180 C.

Bake the streusel crumbs for about 12 minutes, until they are light golden.

 Gently stir the crumbs and bake for another 5-6 minutes until nicely browned.

Cool on the baking sheet on a rack. Leave on the sheet if you plan to assemble the pizza the same day.

The streusel topping can be made several days in advance. Store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Sauté the apples:

Melt the butter in a heavy large skillet over the medium-high heat.

Add the brown sugar.

Cook until a grainy sauce forms, about 1 minute. Mix in the apples.

Cook until the apples are tender and the sauce is reduced to glaze, about 7-10 minutes, stirring often.

Add the zest and spices.

Cool completely.

Assemble and bake the pizza:

Top the shaped pizza dough with the apples leaving 1-inch border around.

 Brush the crust with melted butter. If there’s any butter left, drizzle it over the apples.

Sprinkle the Demerara sugar over the crust and the apples.

 Slide into the 270 C oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the crust is puffed and nicely browned.

Take the pizza out of the oven, transfer to a cutting board. Turn the oven off and slide the baking sheet with streusel crumbs into the oven to warm them slightly, for 1 to 2 minutes.

 If the streusel was made in advance and kept in the refrigerator, let it stay in the oven a minute longer. Top the apples with streusel crumbs and serve