Introduction
Get ready to indulge in a delicious homemade pizza experience with a unique twist! This recipe features thick, chewy pretzel-style pizza crusts topped with gooey cheese sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Perfect for parties or a family night in, these pizzas will surely impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
2 refrigerated pizza crusts (not thin crust)
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup baking soda
Coarse sea salt
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
24 pepperoni slices
For the Cheese Sauce:
8 ounces extra sharp Cheddar cheese
4 ounces Pepper Jack cheese
1½ tablespoons cornstarch
12 ounces evaporated milk
2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as Frank’s)
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
14 minutes
Total Time
34 minutes
Yield
2 pizzas
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Bring a stock pot or Dutch oven with 3-4 inches of water to a boil.
3. Unroll the refrigerated pizza crusts, keeping them on their paper.
4. If the dough needs rolling, roll it out to approximately 1/2 inch thickness. If already rolled, fold in half to achieve the desired thickness and press down slightly.
5. Using a bowl approximately 6 inches across, cut out two 6-7 inch pizza circles from each crust. Discard or save the remaining dough for later use.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash.
7. Lightly brush each pizza dough circle with the egg wash. If any pooling occurs, gently pat with a paper towel.
8. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water (caution: it will bubble up).
9. Place the first pizza crust into the boiling water. It will sink initially; use a wooden spoon to gently bring it back to the surface.
10. Let it cook in the boiling water for 25 seconds, then carefully flip it using two spatulas. Cook for another 20 seconds, then remove from the water and place on parchment paper.
11. Repeat the boiling process with the second pizza crust.
12. Once both crusts are on the parchment, brush them again with the egg wash, focusing extra on the outer rim. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt.
13. Bake the crusts in the oven at 425°F for 8 minutes.
14. While the crusts are baking, prepare the cheese sauce:
– In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan over low heat, combine the shredded Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheeses with the cornstarch. Toss to combine.
– Add the evaporated milk and hot sauce, whisking constantly until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth and bubbly, about 5 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add additional evaporated milk to reach the desired consistency.
15. Once the pizza crusts have baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes.
16. Spread the prepared cheese sauce over each crust, leaving about an inch around the edges for the pretzel crust.
17. Top each pizza with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 10-12 pepperoni slices.
18. Return the pizzas to the oven and bake for an additional 6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
19. Slice and serve the pizzas hot.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Prepare Boiling Water
Bring a stock pot or Dutch oven with 3-4 inches of water to a boil.
3. Unroll Pizza Crusts
Unroll the refrigerated pizza crusts, keeping them on their paper.
4. Roll Dough If Necessary
If the dough needs rolling, roll it out to approximately 1/2 inch thickness. If already rolled, fold in half to achieve the desired thickness and press down slightly.
5. Cut Pizza Circles
Using a bowl approximately 6 inches across, cut out two 6-7 inch pizza circles from each crust. Discard or save the remaining dough for later use.
6. Prepare Egg Wash
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create an egg wash.
7. Brush Dough with Egg Wash
Lightly brush each pizza dough circle with the egg wash. If any pooling occurs, gently pat with a paper towel.
8. Add Baking Soda to Boiling Water
Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water (caution: it will bubble up).
9. Boil First Pizza Crust
Place the first pizza crust into the boiling water. It will sink initially; use a wooden spoon to gently bring it back to the surface.
10. Cook First Pizza Crust
Let it cook in the boiling water for 25 seconds, then carefully flip it using two spatulas. Cook for another 20 seconds, then remove from the water and place on parchment paper.
11. Boil Second Pizza Crust
Repeat the boiling process with the second pizza crust.
12. Brush Crusts Again
Once both crusts are on the parchment, brush them again with the egg wash, focusing extra on the outer rim. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt.
13. Bake Crusts
Bake the crusts in the oven at 425°F for 8 minutes.
14. Prepare Cheese Sauce
While the crusts are baking, prepare the cheese sauce:
– In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan over low heat, combine the shredded Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheeses with the cornstarch. Toss to combine.
– Add the evaporated milk and hot sauce, whisking constantly until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth and bubbly, about 5 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add additional evaporated milk to reach the desired consistency.
15. Cool Crusts
Once the pizza crusts have baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes.
16. Spread Cheese Sauce
Spread the prepared cheese sauce over each crust, leaving about an inch around the edges for the pretzel crust.
17. Add Toppings
Top each pizza with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 10-12 pepperoni slices.
18. Final Bake
Return the pizzas to the oven and bake for an additional 6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
19. Slice and Serve
Slice and serve the pizzas hot.
Notes
1. Dough Handling
When handling the dough, try to keep it as cold as possible for best results.
2. Cheese Options
Feel free to substitute with other cheeses based on your preference, but keep the strong flavors for best results.
3. Spicy Alternative
If you prefer a spicier cheese sauce, increase the hot sauce to your liking.
4. Baking Soda Caution
Add baking soda to the boiling water slowly to avoid excessive bubbling.
5. Cooking Times
Keep an eye on the pizzas during the final bake to prevent burning, as oven temperatures may vary.
Cook techniques
Boiling the Dough
Boiling the pizza crusts enhances the texture and gives them a chewy, pretzel-like quality. This technique involves briefly submerging the dough in boiling water with baking soda, which helps to create a crispy outer crust when baked.
Egg Washing
Applying an egg wash to the pizza crusts before baking creates a golden and shiny finish. It is made by whisking together an egg and water, then brushing it over the dough to promote browning.
Making Cheese Sauce
To prepare a smooth cheese sauce, combine shredded cheeses with cornstarch to prevent clumping, then gradually add evaporated milk while whisking over low heat. This method ensures the sauce remains creamy and properly emulsified when heated.
Baking at High Temperature
Baking the pizzas at 425°F creates a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese. This high heat allows the toppings to cook quickly while ensuring the crust does not become soggy.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of cheese for the sauce?
Yes, you can substitute different cheeses; just ensure they melt well and mix smoothly to maintain the sauce’s consistency.
How long can I store leftover pizza?
Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the oven for better texture.
What can I do with the leftover dough?
Leftover dough can be rolled out and used to make smaller pizza bites, breadsticks, or even frozen for later use.
Is it necessary to use evaporated milk for the cheese sauce?
While evaporated milk creates a rich and creamy sauce, you can substitute it with regular milk, though it may result in a thinner consistency.
Can I add more toppings to the pizza?
Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite toppings, such as vegetables or additional meats, but be cautious not to overload them to keep the crust from getting soggy.
Conclusion
Savoring these delicious pizzas with a pretzel crust and cheesy goodness brings an exciting twist to your pizza nights. The combination of the soft, chewy crust with the rich cheese sauce and classic pepperoni makes for a delightful meal that’s both fun to make and irresistible to eat. Perfect for parties or a cozy night in, these pizzas are sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks
Transform your leftover pizza dough by rolling it into sticks, brushing with garlic butter, and sprinkling with mozzarella cheese and dried herbs before baking.
Veggie Supreme Pizza
Top a crust with a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, and onions, along with mozzarella and cheddar cheese for a colorful, healthy option.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Swap the pepperoni for shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with barbecue sauce, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, and add red onions for a sweet and tangy flavor.
Southwest Taco Pizza
Use seasoned ground beef or turkey, black beans, corn, jalapeños, and a blend of cheeses topped with fresh cilantro after baking for a spicy twist.
Breakfast Pizza
Top the crust with scrambled eggs, cooked sausage or bacon, and a mix of cheeses for a hearty breakfast option, perfect for brunch gatherings.
