Kids love dessert pizza

Kids love pizza and adore dessert, so it's a no-brainer that the combination will be a big hit. This easy sweet, found in the new "California Pizza Kitchen Family Cookbook" by Larry Flax and Rick Rosenfield (Wiley, $19.95), is the perfect party treat for young collaborators to prepare. Set out the toppings and let their creativity flow.

Dessert Pizza Cookie

Makes: 12 servings

CRUST

1 pound sugar cookie dough, room temperature

TOPPINGS -- Choose from:

1 cup whipped cream

1/2 to 1 cup chocolate, caramel or strawberry sauce

1/2cup chopped toasted pecans

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup j elly beans or gummy bears

1 cup M&M's or Reese's Pieces

1 cup sliced strawberries

1 cup crushed cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a removable-bottom tart pan with cooking spray or butter.

Press dough evenly into the bottom of the assembled pan. Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes or until it is light brown and just becoming firm.

Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Then carefully remove the tart ring.

Carefully loosen the crust from the pan bottom and transfer to a serving platter.

Cut the crust, which will still be warm and somewhat soft, into 12 slices. While still warm, decorate slices with your chosen toppings and