Everyone will love this dessert pizza with its shortbread crust, 'cheesecake sauce', sweet cherry topping and garnished with whipped cream!

Cherry Cheese Pizza

Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup cold butter or margarine

2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

3 to 4 tablespoons water

 

'Cheesecake Sauce':

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup chopped pecans or almonds

 

Topping:

2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen pitted tart cherries or 1 (15-ounce) can tart cherries

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

1/8 teaspoon red food coloring

Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

1. For Crust: In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder; cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Roll out into a 14-inch circle. Place on an ungreased 12-inch pizza pan. Flute edges to form a rim; prick bottom of crust. Bake at 350°F (175°F) for 15 minutes.
2. For 'Cheesecake Sauce': In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in nuts. Spread over crust. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool.
3. For Topping: Drain cherries, reserving 1/3 cup juice. Set cherries and juice aside.
4. In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in reserved juice until smooth. Add cherries. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat; stir in butter, extract and food coloring. Cool to room temperature; spread over cream cheese layer. Garnish with sweetened whipped cream, if desired.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.