Maybe your family is like mine – when it comes time to throw a party – there’s a small plate roster. A list of menu items that are damn well expected at every family gathering and their absence would likely throw the universe off balance.
You’d think as a cook, I’d want to try new things, heck cook new things. But no! When it’s celebration time, all I want is the MVP of our appetizer team, Mom’s Pizza Pinwheels.
Birthday, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Arbor Day – if we are together, you can be darn sure Mom’s making ’em.
And why wouldn’t she? They are amazing! She takes pizza dough and instead of topping it and leaving it open faced, she covers it in mozzarella and pepperoni and rolls it up like a log of pizza power. Then, this renegade of a woman slices it into individual pizza rolls of unbelievable goodness and bakes them – like the savory cinnamon bun your life’s been lacking.
The final result? A personal pizza pocket that is oozing with cheese, bursting with pepperoni and… wait for it.. SLAM DUNKED IN SAUCE, if you so choose.
It’s the pizza experience we all deserve but so infrequently enjoy. So I am bringing it to you. Here’s my recipe:
PS – Is it weird I wrote this whole story in the “In a world….summer 2016” movie announcer voice? Oh well.
Let’s make some dough. Start by putting the honey and the yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Add warm water and stir the honey and yeast around until dissolved. I use my hands because why not? Set the bowl aside for 10 minutes until the yeast is foaming reallll good.
Once the yeast is foamy (like above), mix in the oil and salt. With the dough hook attachment and the mixer on low speed, add the flour.
Mix on low until all the flour is incorporated. Next turn the mixer up to medium and mix until the dough comes together into a ball.
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and fold it over itself a few times.
The dough will smooth out and become quite elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place to let rise for an hour.
Divide the dough into two portions. Roll the first half of dough out into an oval that is about 9 1/2 x 13 inches and 1/4 inch in thickness. So the dough doesn’t stick make sure everything is well floured and keep the dough moving continuously.
Top with mozzarella, parmesan and chopped pepperoni.
Roll into a log. If any of the filling falls out you can just stuff it in the ends.
Slice into 8 equal pieces. Repeat process with second half of dough.
Place slices a few inches apart in a brownie pan lined with greased parchment. Brush lightly with egg wash.
Bake in a 375° oven for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
Throw a party!!!!! Eat pizza!!! Love life!!!!
Pizza Pinwheels
Ingredients:
1 package of yeast
1 tablespoon of honey
1 1/4 of warm water (100° – 110°F)
2 teaspoons of salt
3 tablespoons of olive oil
3 cups of flour
1/4 cup of of freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces of chopped pepperoni
egg wash
Instructions:
To make the dough, place honey, yeast and warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set aside in a warm place for 10 minutes until the yeast is bubbly.
With a dough hook attachment, mix the oil and salt into the yeast mixture.
Next, with the mixer on low speed, add the flour a little at a time until it is completely incorporated.
Turn the mixer speed to medium and mix the dough until it forms a ball. This will take a few minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead a few times with your hands until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and set aside in a warm place to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
Once the dough has doubled in size, turn it out onto a floured board and cut it in half.
Working with one portion at a time, roll the dough into an oval shape that is roughly 9 1/2 inches wide, 13 inches long and 1/4 inch in thickness.
Cover with half the grated parmesan, shredded mozzarella and chopped pepperoni.
Roll into a log. If some of the filling falls out just stuff it in the ends.
Cut into 8 equal pieces and transfer to a brownie pan lined with greased parchment.
Repeat the process with the second portion of dough.
Place pans into the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
Let cool for a few minutes (the cheese will be piping hot when the rolls come out of the oven) and enjoy!!!