Cherry Cheese Pizza 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 cup cold butter 2 tablespoons shortening 3 to 4 tablespoons water 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup chopped pecans TOPPING: 2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen pitted tart cherries or 1 can (15 ounces) tart cherries 1/3 cup sugar Printed from tasteofhome.com Jul 25, 2008 Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008

-----------------------Fold------------------------ Cherry Cheese Pizza cont. 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon butter 1/8 teaspoon almond extract 1/8 teaspoon red food coloring Whipped cream and fresh mint, optional In a large 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-in. circle. Place on an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Flute edges to form a rim; prick bottom of crust. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar Printed from tasteofhome.com Jul 25, 2008 Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008

Cherry Cheese Pizza until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in nuts. Spread over crust. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool. Drain cherries, reserving 1/3 cup juice. Set cherries and juice aside. In a large 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. Top with whipped cream and mint if desired. Yield: 10-12 slices. Printed from tasteofhome.com Jul 25, 2008 Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008