Mini Heart-Shaped Pizzas: Bite-Sized Love on a Plate

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 Mini Heart-Shaped Pizzas: Bite-Sized Love on a Plate

Mini Heart-Shaped Pizzas: Bite-Sized Love on a Plate

These adorable mini heart-shaped pizzas are perfect for Valentine's Day, a fun after-school snack, or a delightful appetizer for any occasion. They're easy to customize with your favorite toppings, making them a versatile and delicious treat.

Ingredients:

  • Dough: (Choose one of the following options)

    • 1 store-bought pizza dough (12-14 ounces)
    • OR
    • Your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe (enough for one small pizza)

  • Sauce:

    • 1/2 cup pizza sauce (or your favorite marinara sauce)

  • Cheese:

    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or a blend of your choice)

  • Toppings (Optional):

    • Sliced pepperoni
    • Chopped vegetables (bell peppers, mushrooms, onions)
    • Cooked and crumbled sausage
    • Black olives, sliced
    • Diced pineapple (for a sweet and savory twist)
    • Fresh herbs like basil or oregano

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your broiler: Set your broiler to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
  2. Prepare the dough:
    • Store-bought dough: If using store-bought dough, let it thaw according to package instructions.
    • Homemade dough: If using homemade dough, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
  3. Gettin' heart-y:
    • Cookie cutter method: Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as possible from the dough.
    • Freehand method: If you don't have a cookie cutter, freehand some heart shapes by gently shaping the dough with your hands or a knife. It doesn't have to be perfect, a little rustic charm is cute too!
  4. Sauce it up: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each heart-shaped dough piece.
  5. Cheese galore: Sprinkle your desired amount of shredded cheese over the sauce.
  6. Top it off (optional): Now comes the fun part! Add your favorite toppings to each mini pizza. Get creative and personalize them!
  7. Baking time: Place the mini pizzas on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Freshness matters:  If using fresh herbs, sprinkle them on the pizzas after they come out of the oven for the best flavor.
  9. Serve and enjoy! Let the smaller than expected pizzas cool somewhat some time recently serving. Enjoy them warm, gooey, and full of love!

Tips:

  • Remaining scaled down pizzas can be put away in an air proof holder within the fridge for up to 2 days.  Reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.
  • For a fun presentation, drizzle the mini pizzas with a balsamic glaze or hot honey after baking.
  • To make them extra crispy, preheat your baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes before placing the mini pizzas on it.
  • Get the kids involved! Let them help shape the dough and choose their favorite toppings.

These mini heart-shaped pizzas are a delightful twist on the classic pizza, perfect for spreading a little love (or cheesy goodness) on any occasion.