Choco Chip Pizza

My go-to crowd-pleaser has become this chocolate chip dessert pizza. I found it by accident when my pantry was nearly empty and needed something sweet in a pinch. What makes it amazing is how cake mix and pizza dough work together to make this fantastic cookie-like bottom that's chewy inside with crispy edges. When you add melting chocolate chips and that sugary top layer, you've basically got a giant cookie shaped like a pizza!

When I brought this to my nephew's baseball team get-together last year, kids ate it all within minutes. Before I left, three different parents asked me how to make it. Now my sister-in-law makes it for every team gathering because it's "the only sweet treat that gets eaten faster than the actual pizza."

Basic Components

• Pizza dough: The stuff that comes in tubes in the fridge works great. You can make your own if you want, but honestly, who has the time?
• Yellow cake mix: Use it dry right from the box for that perfect cookie texture and vanilla taste. Don't mix it up according to the box!
• Butter: When mixed with cake mix, melted butter creates that yummy, rich base everyone loves.
• Chocolate chips: Milk chocolate gives you that classic taste, but feel free to try semi-sweet or even a mixture of both.
• Sugar blend: Mixing white and brown sugar makes a sweet top layer that gets slightly caramelized and adds wonderful crunch.

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Baking Tricks

Dough prep

Always poke holes with a fork! This stops the crust from forming bubbles during that first cooking time.

First bake approach

That quick 5-minute initial bake is key so your base doesn't turn mushy from the toppings.

How to spread

The butter and cake mix combo will be thick - kinda like cookie dough. Just use a spoon back or flat spatula to spread it out evenly.

Chip placement

Lightly push those chocolate chips into the cake layer so they stay put and melt properly.

Sugar application

Stay away from the very edge when sprinkling sugar since those areas can burn when the sugar turns to caramel.

Getting the time right

Keep an eye on it during final baking - you want a golden top and melty chips, not a burnt mess.

I came up with this after trying lots of different dessert pizza recipes. My first tries used cookie dough as topping, which tasted great but was too heavy. Cake mix gives you the perfect middle ground - lighter than cookie dough but still sweet and rich. I got the idea for the sugar topping from those crunchy bakery cookies, and it adds just the right amount of crispness.

Fun Presentation Thoughts

Give everyone a slice while it's still a bit warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for an amazing combo. Cut it into tiny pieces for parties alongside other small desserts. Want to make it festive? Throw some colorful sprinkles on with the chocolate chips before you bake it.

Delicious Variations

Switch to chocolate cake mix instead of yellow for a super chocolatey experience. Toss in some mini marshmallows with the chocolate chips to make it taste like s'mores. After it's baked, drizzle some caramel sauce over everything for an extra touch of sweetness.

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I've whipped up this chocolate chip dessert pizza for so many different occasions - from surprise visitors to birthday alternatives to potluck parties. There's something special about familiar tastes coming together in an unexpected way that gets people excited. It's one of those special recipes that turns out better than you'd expect - simple stuff transformed into something that looks fancy but doesn't need much effort at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the dough myself instead of using store-bought?

Of course! Just prepare your go-to pizza dough recipe, poke some holes in it, and pre-bake for the toppings.

→ What if I don't have yellow cake mix?

No problem. Use vanilla cake mix or sugar cookie mix instead. For a richer twist, opt for chocolate cake mix with white chips.

→ Can I try different toppings?

Sure thing! Toss on mini marshmallows, nuts, or candies like M&Ms. Drizzle caramel or chocolate after baking, or try fruit like strawberries.

→ How should I store leftover chocolate pizza?

Keep leftovers in a sealed container at room temp for 2 days or in the fridge for 4 days. Warm slices in the microwave for a few seconds before eating.

→ Why do you suggest poking the crust with a fork?

Poking stops bubbles from forming while baking. This lets the crust bake evenly and keeps the toppings in place.