Heart Shaped Pepperoni Pizza (Printable version)
A charming, festive pizza with crisp crust, zesty tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and halal pepperoni toppings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2/3 cup warm water
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Sauce
07 - 1/2 cup tomato passata or pizza sauce
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
10 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Toppings
12 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 2.8 ounces halal pepperoni slices
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 465°F or its highest setting. If using a pizza stone, position it in the oven to heat thoroughly.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until dough comes together.
03 - Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a clean cloth and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
04 - Roll out dough into a large heart shape approximately 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or floured pizza peel.
05 - Combine tomato passata with oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly over dough base, maintaining a small border around edges.
06 - Distribute shredded mozzarella evenly over sauce. Arrange halal pepperoni slices in a decorative pattern across the surface.
07 - Drizzle with olive oil across the entire pizza.
08 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until crust achieves golden brown color and cheese becomes melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, slice into portions, and serve while hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The dough requires just 10 minutes of rest instead of lengthy rising, perfect for those spontaneous pizza cravings that simply cant wait.
- Transforming ordinary pepperoni pizza into a heart shape somehow makes it taste better while bringing smiles to the table without requiring any special baking skills.
02 -
- Never overload the center of your heart-shaped pizza or it will sag and lose its defined shape while baking.
- The 10-minute rest after kneading is non-negotiable, as I learned when I once skipped it and ended up with dough that constantly shrank back while rolling.
03 -
- Lightly dust your parchment paper with cornmeal before placing the dough for an extra crispy bottom crust with a subtle texture that elevates the entire pizza experience.
- Brush the outer crust with olive oil mixed with a tiny pinch of garlic powder and salt before baking for a golden, flavorful edge that no one will leave behind on their plate.