Classic Valentine’s Day Pizza Roses
These delightful pizza roses are a festive and delicious way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Made with pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, they're perfect for a romantic meal or a fun family activity.
Equipment
- Muffin tin
- Pizza cutter
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 lb fresh or store-bought pizza dough
Sauce & Cheese
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings
- ¼ cup mini pepperoni or crumbled cooked sausage
- 2 tbsp olive oil for brushing
- Dried oregano Optional toppings
- red pepper flakes Optional toppings
- fresh basil for garnish
Equipment
- Muffin tin
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the pizza dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick.
- Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the entire dough rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by your chosen toppings, being careful not to overload it.
- Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough rectangle into 6 long strips, each about 2 inches wide.
Assembly & Baking
- Take one dough strip and roll it tightly into a spiral. Place this "rose" into a greased muffin tin cup, and repeat with the remaining strips.
- Lightly brush the tops of the pizza roses with olive oil to help them brown.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Let them cool for a few minutes in the muffin tin before carefully removing, and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Ensure not to overload the dough with toppings, as this can make rolling difficult. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle on top before baking. These pizza roses are best served warm, but leftovers can be reheated in a toaster oven for a few minutes.