Caramel Apple Pizza

 

1/2

cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1/3

cup corn syrup

2

tablespoons butter or margarine

1/3

cup whipping cream

1

teaspoon rum extract or vanilla

2

medium cooking apples, thinly sliced

1

tablespoon lemon juice

1/2

cup granulated sugar

2

teaspoons ground cinnamon

1

teaspoon ground nutmeg

1

package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

1

egg

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

package (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry, thawed

1

cup chopped nuts, toasted

• 1 Heat oven to 400°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with foil or cooking parchment paper. In 1-quart saucepan, heat brown sugar, corn syrup and butter to boiling over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened; remove from heat. Cool about 30 minutes. Stir in whipping cream and rum extract.
• 2 In medium bowl, mix apples and lemon juice. Stir in granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
• 3 In small bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla on medium speed until blended.
• 4 Roll each sheet of pastry into 10-inch square on foil-lined cookie sheet. Cut each pastry square into 10-inch circle. Place scraps in center; roll into pastry.
• 5 Spread half of cream cheese mixture over each pastry round. Arrange apple slices on cream cheese. Sprinkle with nuts. Drizzle about 1/4 cup caramel syrup over each pizza.
• 6 Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. Pour remaining caramel syrup over hot pizzas. Serve warm.