Description
Mini heart-shaped pizzas capture romance on a plate, blending Italian culinary charm with playful Valentine’s Day spirit. Crisp homemade dough, rich marinara, and melted cheese create an irresistible treat you’ll adore sharing with someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup warm water
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup pizza sauce
- 0.5 cup sliced pepperoni
Dough Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Additional/Optional Ingredients:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by whisking warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a small vessel. Allow the mixture to bloom and become foamy, indicating the yeast’s activation.
- Create a flour foundation by combining flour and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Form a central cavity and introduce the frothy yeast mixture along with olive oil.
- Transform the ingredients into a cohesive dough by stirring and then transferring to a floured surface. Knead the mixture thoroughly, developing a smooth and elastic texture through consistent manipulation.
- Nurture dough development by placing the kneaded mixture into a lightly oiled bowl. Drape a clean cloth over the container and permit the dough to rise, doubling in volume within approximately one hour.
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to a high temperature of 475°F, ensuring a crisp pizza foundation.
- Deflate the risen dough and segment it into four equal portions. Skillfully roll each section into delicate heart-shaped configurations, maintaining a consistent six-inch width.
- Position the heart-shaped dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, preparing for topping and baking.
- Embellish each pizza base with a thin layer of pizza sauce, distributing shredded mozzarella cheese evenly. Add preferred toppings like pepperoni slices for additional flavor complexity.
- Enhance the crust’s appearance by delicately brushing olive oil along the dough’s perimeter, promising a golden and crispy exterior.
- Bake the adorned pizzas for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until the crust achieves a beautiful golden hue and the cheese melts into a bubbling, slightly browned landscape.
- Extract the pizzas from the oven and allow a brief cooling moment. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves to introduce a vibrant aromatic finish.
Notes
- Ensure water temperature is lukewarm (around 110°F) to activate yeast correctly without killing it.
- Let yeast mixture sit until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating active fermentation for better dough rise.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a stretchy and soft pizza base with perfect texture.
- Use parchment paper for easy transfer and cleanup, preventing stuck pizza bases.
- Experiment with heart shape by using a template or cutting free-hand for personalized pizzas.
- Control cheese melting by using shredded mozzarella and avoiding overloading toppings.
- Rotate baking sheet halfway through cooking for even browning and consistent crispiness.
- vegetarian options, gluten-free flour, dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg