Chocolate Tunnel of Love

Yes! I did let my husband name this recipe. Of course for the most part it was his idea. After I made these Banana Chimis, John suggested I make a Chocolate Tunnel of Love for the next Improv Challenge. Well I decided to run with that idea and it is finally time for this month's Improv Challenge hosted by Kristen at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. This month's challenge was to make a new-to-your-blog recipe using cherries and almonds.  I changed the "tunnel" from a tortilla to pizza dough since it would be easier to fill and bake. It turned out super yummy - and super rich, a little goes a long way. With John's help this is what I came up with:

dough for one pizza crust
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1 cup nutella
10 oz jar maraschino cherries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 Tsp cornstarch
slivered almonds


Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Divide pizza dough into 4 portions. Place 1/4 cup nutella down center of each portion. 

Press closed and brush with melted butter. Bake for  minutes, turn over, continue baking for an additional 5-6 minutes or till browned. 

Meanwhile, drain cherries, reserving juice. In sauce pan combine cherries, sugar and vanilla. Heat over medium heat until sugar is liquified. Mix cornstarch with 1/2 cup of the reserved juice from cherries. Slowly add to cherry-sugar mix. Continue stirring till mixture is thick and bubbly. Pour cherry sauce over chocolate pastries. 

Sprinkle with almond slivers. Serve and enjoy!