Description
Romantic Italian heart-shaped pizza delivers love on a plate for special occasions. Crispy homemade dough, classic marinara, melted mozzarella, and fresh basil create a delightful culinary experience you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm water
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 12–15 slices pepperoni
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Merge warm water, sugar, and yeast in a vessel, allowing the mixture to bloom and develop frothy bubbles, indicating active yeast.
- Dough Foundation: Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a light, uniform dry mixture for the pizza base.
- Dough Formation: Integrate the foamy yeast liquid and olive oil into the flour mixture, stirring until a cohesive, slightly tacky dough emerges, then transfer to a lightly floured surface.
- Kneading Process: Work the dough with firm, rhythmic motions for several minutes, developing a smooth, elastic texture that springs back when gently pressed.
- First Rise: Nestle the kneaded dough in an oiled bowl, drape with a kitchen towel, and let rest in a warm, undisturbed location until volume doubles, approximately one hour.
- Shaping and Preparing: Deflate the risen dough, carefully mold into a heart shape on a prepared baking surface, then evenly spread tomato sauce, leaving a small perimeter.
- Topping Assembly: Lavishly scatter mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then artfully arrange pepperoni, vegetables, or herbs across the pizza surface.
- Baking: Slide the pizza into a preheated oven, cooking until the crust transforms to a golden hue and the cheese melts into a bubbly, slightly caramelized layer.
- Serving: Extract from the oven, allow brief cooling, then slice and serve the warm, heart-shaped pizza.
Notes
- Yeast Activation Trick: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to perfectly activate yeast without killing it, creating a robust and reliable dough rise.
- Dough Kneading Technique: Work the dough consistently for 8-10 minutes, developing gluten structure that guarantees a tender, chewy pizza crust with excellent texture.
- Temperature Control: Proofing dough in a warm (80-85°F), draft-free spot accelerates rising and enhances flavor development, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Shaping Precision: Use parchment paper or a silicone mat when forming the heart shape to prevent sticking and achieve clean, defined pizza edges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg