Description
Pizza Roses with Pepperoni offer a creative twist on traditional pizza, featuring delicate rose-shaped rolls made from pizza dough layered with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and seasoned with Italian herbs. Baked to golden perfection, these bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, appetizers, or a fun family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pizza Roses
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a muffin tin thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a thin rectangle about ¼ inch thick for easy rolling and layering.
- Slice Dough into Strips: Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the dough into strips about 2 inches wide.
- Spread Sauce: Evenly spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over each dough strip to infuse flavor without making it soggy.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the marinara sauce for a melty, cheesy texture.
- Layer Pepperoni: Place slices of pepperoni evenly on top of the cheese to ensure every rose has savory bites.
- Fold Dough Strips: Fold each strip in half lengthwise to create a double-layered dough strip that helps hold the fillings together while rolling.
- Form the Roses: Starting from one end, carefully roll the folded strip into a rose shape and pinch the bottom to secure it firmly.
- Place Roses in Muffin Tin: Gently place each rolled rose into the greased muffin tin cavities, arranging them snugly but with space to expand.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush it over the tops of the roses to achieve a beautiful golden crust when baked.
- Sprinkle Toppings: Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning on top of each rose for added flavor and aroma.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the roses are puffed up and golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the baked Pizza Roses from the oven and allow them to cool for 10-15 minutes to set and make handling easier.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, add fresh basil leaves on top before serving to enhance the presentation and add a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- The dough should be rolled thin but not too thin, around ¼ inch, to ensure it holds its shape when rolled.
- Use a well-greased muffin tin to prevent sticking and allow for easy removal of the pizza roses.
- If you prefer a crispier crust, you can brush the edges with olive oil before baking.
- Feel free to customize the fillings by adding vegetables like bell peppers or olives for variation.
- Let the roses cool slightly before serving to avoid burns and help them firm up.
