Monster Cookie Dessert Pizza

 

When I was little, my older brother made monster cookies.  I remember seeing the overflowing, GIANT, green mixing bowl he used and thinking that must be why they're called monster cookies.
But then. Then, after he baked them on multiple cookie sheets as 3 or 4 giant, cookie-sheet sized cookies, he used icing and red licorice strands to give them creepy monster faces.  My 6 year-old self finally understood why they were called monster cookies.
However, never in my life after that did I see monster cookies with faces. So, I'm back at square one. Why are they called monster cookies? Why not gooey, lumpy, chunky cookies? Okay, I admit, that doesn't sound appetizing.  Monster cookies it is.

 

The recipe I am going to share with you today is for the dessert-obsessed among you.  My sister may or may not have eaten over half of this dessert in the hour after its conception. Don't blame her; it's an addiction.

 

Without further ado, let me present to you:  Monster Cookie Dessert Pizza.

 

This beautiful combination of a traditional dessert pizza (think Pizza Hut) and sugar-loaded monster cookies is sinfully (calorifically) amazing.  But don't take my word for it (in the words of LeVar Burton).

 

Monster Cookie Dessert Pizza

Servings: 8

 

Ingredients:

• 1 recipe of your favorite pizza dough (or a premade pizza crust)
• 1 c. M&Ms
• 1 c. chocolate chips
• 3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 c. (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp. all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 c. powdered sugar
• 1-3 tbsp. milk
• 1/4tsp. vanilla, optional
• cinnamon

Preheat oven according to pizza crust recipe (typically 425 degrees). 

Using a round pizza pan, pat dough out to make a round crust to fit the pan.  (I did not use all the dough.)

Sprinkle crust liberally with cinnamon. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, cut chilled butter into brown sugar, oats, flour, and salt until the mixture resembles course, pea-sized crumbs.  I found it easiest to use a pastry cutter to break up large chunks of butter, and then I finished it using just my hands.

Spread oatmeal streusel topping over crust.  Distribute M&Ms on top.  Bake pizza according to directions. 

While pizza is baking, make your glaze by combing the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a bowl.  Begin with 1 tablespoon of milk and add more as needed, until glaze reaches a slightly thick, pourable consistancy. Set aside.
In a small bowl, heat peanut butter in microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until melted.
Place 1/2 c. chocolate chips in a small ziploc bag.  Heat in 30 second intervals, squishing in between, until melted and smooth.

  

When crust is golden brown and slightly crispy, the pizza is done.  Remove from oven.  Sprinkle remaining 1/2 c. chocolate chips on the pizza. (Adding them after the pizza is baked helps them retain their shape.) Drizzle powdered sugar glaze liberally over the pizza, and I do mean liberally.  You want this puppy sweet!  Repeat with peanut butter and melted chocolate. 

 

Serve warm, or let cool slightly and then serve. I have my doubts you'll be able to wait that long. :)