Sourdough Pull-Apart Pizza Heart
Ingredients
- 350 gwater
warm, 1½ cups
- 600 gbread flour
4 ½ cups
- 150 gactive sourdough starter
⅔ cup
- 20 ghoney
1 tablespoon
- 30 golive oil
2 tablespoons
- 10 gsalt
1 ½ teaspoons
- 60 g30-40 pepperoni slices
- 335 gmozzarella cheese
shredded, 3 cups
- 30 golive oil
2 tablespoons
- 1 gitalian seasoning
½ teaspoon
- sprinkle parmesan cheese
freshly grated
- 28 gbutter
salted or unsalted, 2 tablespoons
- 4 ggarlic
minced, 2 teaspoons
Directions
- 1
Add all the dough ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer, and with a dough hook knead the dough for 3-4 minutes. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it is not add a little bit more flour. Alternatively, you can mix the dough by hand in a mixing bowl and then knead for a few minutes on a lightly floured surface until it is soft and forms a smooth ball.350 grams water, 600 grams bread flour, 150 grams active sourdough starter, 20 grams honey, 30 grams olive oil, 10 grams salt
- 2
Let the dough rise covered in a warm spot at 80 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 hours until doubled in size. Alternatively you can leave the dough to rise for a longer period of time at cooler temperatures.
- 3
After the dough has doubled, punch it down and dump it onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in 2.
- 4
On a lightly floured surface, begin rolling out half of the dough into a rectangle. Start making the heart shape by pulling the middle section down towards the center and rounding out the tops. You can use a bench scraper to cut sections as needed and attach them to other spots. Fold it in half vertically to see if it is symmetrical. My heart ended up being about 12 inches wide and 14 inches tall.
- 5
Complete this step again with the second half of the dough. Use the first heart as your guide and try to get the size and shape the same.
- 6
Before assembling the pizza heart, place the bottom heart on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cheese and add a single layer of pepperonis. Place the other half of the heart on top and pinch the edges together to seal it. 60-70 grams 30-40 pepperoni slices, 335 grams mozzarella cheese
- 7
Place a heart cookie cutter in the center of the pizza dough and press slightly to indent. If you don't have a heart cookie cutter you can trace a heart in the middle with a toothpick.
- 8
Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut 1-inch strips in the dough, starting from the bottom of the heart and working your way up each side. Cut the slices all the way to the middle heart.
- 9
Twist the two bottom strips away from each other 2-3 times and then squeeze the ends together. Next, twist each strip 2-3 times towards the bottom of the heart until all the strips are twisted. Curve the top pieces to reinforce the heart shape.
- 10
Cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for another hour or two in a warm spot. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. When it is puffy, brush it with a mixture of olive oil and italian seasoning and sprinkle with freshly-shredded parmesan cheese before baking. 30 grams olive oil, 1 gram italian seasoning , sprinkle parmesan cheese
- 11
Bake in the preheated oven for 27-30 minutes or until it is golden brown and cooked through.
- 12
Remove from the oven and let the pizza heart cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a serving platter.
- 13
Optional: Prepare a garlic butter by melting two tablespoons of butter with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Brush the butter mixture on top of the Sourdough Pizza Heart with a pastry brush. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping, and enjoy!28 grams butter , 4 grams garlic
Sourdough Pull-Apart Pizza Heart
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About this Recipe
Looking for an unforgettable appetizer that's both delicious and adorable? This Sourdough Pull-Apart Pizza Heart is the perfect tear-and-share treat, brimming with classic pizza flavors and gooey mozzarella, making it an instant crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
What makes this recipe truly special is its foundation: a rich, tangy sourdough pizza dough that develops incredible depth of flavor and a satisfying chew. The pull-apart design transforms traditional pizza into a fun, communal experience, encouraging interaction and making it ideal for sharing, especially for festive occasions like Valentine's Day.
Prepare for a delightful combination of textures and tastes with every bite. You'll experience the satisfying resilience of the sourdough crust, a delightful tang from the zesty pizza elements, and the savory kick of generous pepperoni slices paired with ample melted mozzarella cheese. This appetizer is designed to be pulled apart effortlessly, revealing layers of savory goodness and ensuring everyone gets a perfect cheesy piece. It’s a hearty and satisfying start to any meal, with each of the 12 servings offering a robust 370 calories.
Customization & Serving Suggestions
While delicious as is, you can easily customize your Sourdough Pull-Apart Pizza Heart. For a different flavor profile, consider swapping pepperoni for other cured meats like salami or prosciutto. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the pepperoni and load up on extra shredded mozzarella cheese or your favorite finely chopped, sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms. You could also experiment with different cheese blends beyond just mozzarella, incorporating a touch of provolone or Parmesan for added complexity.
This delightful Sourdough Pull-Apart Pizza Heart is an ideal appetizer for special occasions, especially perfect for Valentine's Day celebrations, game nights, or family gatherings. Serve it warm straight from the oven as a festive and inviting centerpiece for sharing.