Description
Romantic homemade Heart-Shaped Pizza brings Italian passion to your kitchen, creating delicious memories with simple ingredients and love. Couples can craft this charming culinary masterpiece together, sharing laughter and connection through a delightful shared cooking experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm water
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup pizza sauce
Seasoning and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- 12–15 slices pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast mixture by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small vessel, allowing it to bloom and become frothy with visible bubbles.
- Create a foundation for the pizza dough by blending flour and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, forming a light and airy dry mixture.
- Incorporate the foamy yeast liquid and olive oil into the flour mixture, gently stirring until a cohesive, slightly sticky dough develops.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface and knead with rhythmic, pressing motions for several minutes until the texture becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough in a generously oiled bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel to create a warm, draft-free environment for rising.
- Allow the dough to rest and expand for approximately one hour, or until it has doubled in volume and appears puffy and light.
- Punch down the risen dough to release trapped air, then carefully shape it into a heart-like configuration on a prepared baking surface.
- Spread a layer of tomato sauce across the heart-shaped base, ensuring even coverage and leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, creating a rich and melty topping.
- Distribute additional toppings like pepperoni, vegetables, or herbs across the pizza surface according to personal preference.
- Bake in a preheated oven until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve the heart-shaped pizza while still warm.
Notes
- Activate yeast thoroughly by using lukewarm water, ensuring it’s between 100-110°F for perfect activation without killing the microorganisms.
- Choose bread flour for a chewier, more authentic pizza crust texture that provides better structure and rise.
- For gluten-free friends, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, adding xanthan gum for improved elasticity.
- Transform this romantic pizza into a healthier option by using whole wheat flour, which adds nutty flavor and extra nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg