Homemade pizza, A Valentine’s Day tradition

Homemade pizza is always a good idea, but partner that was Valentine’s Day and it gives you a fun opportunity for an easy heart shaped pizza.

In our home, we have been making heart-shaped pizzas for years. It only takes a little bit of pre-planning in the morning to make the dough and make sure you have enough cheese and sauce and whatever toppings you want.

Here is the dough recipe that I love as it is so simple!

Pizza Dough Recipe: 

• One cup of warm water 

• 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast 

• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar 

• 2 teaspoon salt 

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil 

• 3 cups flour 

In a large bowl or using a stand mixer aka “KitchenAid" stir yeast and honey or sugar into warm water. Allow that to sit for about five minutes until it has bubbled. Pour in the salt, oil and half of the flour. Mix together using the paddle attachment (make sure to start slow so you don’t have flour fly), Mix just enough until it is sticky, then add the rest of the flour. Set a timer for six minutes with the mixer on. Six minutes seems to be the perfect amount of time for the dough to come together and a nice ball. If your dough is too sticky, you can add a bit of flour and if it is too dry, add a bit more warm water until you’re able to form a nice ball. Once you have your dough, place it in an oiled bowl and cover with a clean, lightweight towel. Set in a warm spot and walk away. Allow to rise for a few hours. 

This dough recipe will allow you to make two large pizzas or for personal size pizzas 

Preheat oven to 375° 

• On a flowered surface, roll out dough into a round shape, or a shape of your liking.  

• Place pizza on either a cookie sheet or a mesh pizza pan  

• Place in oven without toppings on first for 5 minutes. This allows the dough to cook a bit before you add your toppings.  

• Take the pizza out and place toppings on your pizza 

• Place pizza back into oven for about 12 minutes. Check on your pizza periodically as it is done when the edges of the pizza are golden brown. 

Here is a free downloadable printable for the Pizza Dough Recipe:

Pizza Dough Recipe.pdf

Download PDF • 219KB

If you don't already have a pan for pizza's, here's a link for the ones I like:

Some of our favorite pizzas to make include:

• Cheese or marinara

• Pesto with chicken and mozzarella with fresh basil on top

• Thai chicken with a peanut sauce, chicken, sliced carrots, scallions

• Pepperoni

• Meat, lovers, with pepperoni, bacon, salami

• Hawaiian with marinara, base, ham, pineapple, chunks, carrots, and mozzarella.

There's just a few ideas, but the nice thing about pizza as you can make it however you want it. So if you’re looking for a fun dinner, idea for the whole family, homemade pizzas are the way to go.

I might’ve been there, and I do know that.

Xo,

Mama