Description
Heart-Shaped Pizzas are a fun and festive way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or date nights at home. These mini pizzas feature a simple dough base, shaped into charming hearts, topped with rich pizza sauce, a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and customizable toppings. Easy to prepare and bake, they make a delightful, personalized meal perfect for sharing love through food.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Base
- 1 pound pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- Flour (for dusting surface)
- Olive oil (for brushing edges)
Sauce and Cheese
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings and Seasoning
- Favorite toppings (pepperoni, sliced olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.)
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape the dough: On a floured surface, divide the pizza dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each piece into a circle, then carefully shape each into a heart using your hands or a knife for precision.
- Prepare the pizzas on the baking sheet: Transfer the heart-shaped dough pieces to the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush the edges of each dough heart with olive oil to promote browning and crispiness.
- Add sauce and toppings: Spread a few tablespoons of pizza sauce on each dough heart, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, then add your favorite toppings. Optionally, sprinkle dried oregano or Italian seasoning on top for extra flavor.
- Bake the pizzas: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Remove the mini pizzas from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving to ensure the cheese sets and they are easier to handle.
Notes
- Make the pizzas personal by cutting pepperoni slices into initials or shaping toppings into small hearts.
- Substitute regular dough with whole wheat or gluten-free dough to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- These mini pizzas are excellent for kids to decorate and customize themselves, making cooking a fun family activity.
