Description
Romantic Valentine’s Day Calzone Hearts blend passionate Italian flavors with playful love-themed shapes. Crimson-edged pastry pockets filled with rich ricotta and savory meats promise an intimate culinary celebration you’ll adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Dough and Filling):
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 grams) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) diced pepperoni
Dough Components:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) warm water
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Seasoning and Finishing:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water (for egg wash)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) marinara sauce
- Olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar, allowing mixture to become frothy and activate for 5-10 minutes.
- Create dough by combining flour and salt, then incorporate yeast mixture and olive oil until a cohesive texture forms.
- Knead dough thoroughly on a clean surface, working it until smooth and elastic with consistent texture.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and permit rising in a warm environment until volume doubles, approximately one hour.
- Prepare savory filling by blending ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, pepperoni, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Heat oven to 425°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for even cooking.
- Roll dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness, cutting distinctive heart shapes using cookie cutter or knife.
- Position filling centrally on half of the heart-shaped dough pieces, maintaining a small border around edges.
- Layer second heart-shaped dough over filling, pressing and crimping edges securely to prevent leakage.
- Apply egg wash across calzone surfaces, then lightly brush with olive oil for golden, glossy finish.
- Create small steam vents on calzone tops using a sharp knife to prevent potential pressure buildup.
- Bake until calzones transform into golden-brown delicacies, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Allow calzones to rest and slightly cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Accompany with warm marinara sauce for enhanced dipping experience.
Notes
- Customize the filling by swapping pepperoni with cooked sausage, ham, or vegetarian alternatives like roasted vegetables for diverse dietary preferences.
- Use gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring the dough maintains a similar texture and elasticity.
- Prepare the dough and filling ahead of time, storing separately in the refrigerator, to streamline the assembly process and reduce day-of cooking stress.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, goat cheese, or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the classic calzone.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg