Description
Festive Christmas tree pizza blends holiday cheer with delicious Italian flavors. Families can craft this whimsical meal together, creating memorable moments around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) pizza sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 pepperoni slices
- 1 black olives (sliced)
- 1 bell peppers (cut into stars or strips)
- 1 green spinach or pesto sauce (optional, for a green tree look)
- 1 cherry tomatoes (as ornaments)
- 1 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Roll pizza dough on a floured surface, artfully cutting the shape of a Christmas tree using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Base Layer: Spread pizza sauce evenly across the dough, then generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese to create a rich, creamy foundation.
- Festive Decorating: Adorn the pizza with strategic toppings – arrange pepperoni as ornaments, position bell pepper strips like garland, and scatter black olives for textural contrast.
- Star Topping: Place a delicate cheese star at the tree’s peak, completing the holiday-inspired design.
- Oven Setup: Preheat oven to 400F (200C), ensuring optimal conditions for a crisp crust and perfectly melted cheese.
- Baking Process: Transfer the decorated pizza on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining the tree’s intricate shape. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden and cheese bubbles vibrantly.
- Serving: Remove from oven, allow brief cooling to set the cheese, then slice into child-friendly portions and serve this edible holiday masterpiece.
Notes
- Maintain Dough Texture: Roll pizza dough gently to prevent toughening, using light touches and minimal handling for a softer, more tender crust.
- Strategic Ingredient Placement: Distribute toppings evenly to ensure balanced flavor and prevent soggy areas, placing heavier ingredients closer to the center.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Grate fresh mozzarella for smoother melting and superior texture, avoiding pre-shredded cheese which contains anti-caking agents that hinder proper melting.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Use a pizza stone or preheated baking sheet to crisp the bottom, ensuring a golden and sturdy pizza base that doesn’t become wet or limp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg