Description
Romantic mini heart pizzas bring Italian charm to Valentine’s Day dining with adorable heart-shaped perfection. Crispy crusts topped with classic marinara, melted cheese, and personalized toppings create a delightful culinary experience you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 12 pepperoni slices
- 2/3 cup pizza sauce
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- Garlic powder to taste
Preparation Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons cornmeal
Instructions
- Activate yeast by combining with lukewarm water and sugar, allowing mixture to become frothy and bubbly for 5 minutes.
- Transfer activated yeast into large mixing bowl, incorporate olive oil and salt, then gradually fold in flour until cohesive dough develops.
- Transfer dough onto lightly floured workspace, knead thoroughly until texture becomes smooth and elastic, then let rest for 10 minutes to relax gluten.
- Divide dough into four equal portions, roll each into circular shape, then carefully manipulate and trim edges to create distinctive heart-shaped profiles.
- Position heart-shaped dough onto parchment paper dusted with cornmeal, gently perforate surface with fork tines to prevent unwanted air bubbles during baking.
- Generously spread tomato sauce across each heart-shaped base, distribute shredded cheese evenly, and strategically arrange pepperoni slices for maximum flavor coverage.
- Slide prepared mini pizzas into preheated oven at 450°F, bake for 12-15 minutes until edges transform into golden-brown crispy texture.
- Immediately after removing from oven, brush crusts with garlic-infused melted butter for enhanced aromatic finish and rich flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Activate yeast perfectly by ensuring water temperature is between 100-110°F, which creates ideal conditions for fermentation without killing the microorganisms.
- Customize heart shapes by using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife to create precise, symmetrical edges that maintain dough integrity.
- Use parchment paper with cornmeal for extra crispiness and prevent sticking, giving pizzas a professional bakery-style bottom crust.
- Accommodate dietary needs by substituting regular flour with gluten-free alternatives or using plant-based cheese and vegan pepperoni for allergen-friendly versions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg