Description
Tearin’ Up My Heart Pizza Twists is a fun and festive heart-shaped pizza featuring twisted dough strips filled with pesto, pizza sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, this recipe combines homemade bread dough, flavorful sauces, and cheesy goodness baked until golden and irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 tbsp instant yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (100-110°F)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp fine pink Himalayan sea salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cups bread flour
Filling Ingredients
- 2 tbsp pesto
- 3 tbsp pizza sauce
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
Topping and Finishing Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add 2 cups of bread flour and mix until mostly incorporated. Then add the remaining flour one cup at a time until the dough forms and pulls from the sides.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on low mixer speed for 5 minutes until it is soft and no longer sticky.
- Let Dough Rise: Remove dough from the mixer bowl, oil the bowl with a teaspoon olive oil, return the dough and roll it in the oil so it is coated. Cover bowl and let dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours until doubled, typically 1 1/2 hours.
- Divide Dough: Weigh the dough and divide into two equal sections (about 1 lb each). Keep unused dough covered to prevent drying out.
- Shape Dough Hearts: On a lightly floured surface, roll one section of dough into an approximately 12×12 inch heart shape using a parchment paper template as a guide. Repeat with second dough ball. Place each heart on parchment and cover.
- Add Sauces and Cheese: Spread pesto on half of the bottom dough heart and pizza sauce on the other half in a thin, even layer. Top evenly with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Optional small chopped toppings can be added carefully.
- Top with Second Dough Layer: Carefully lay second dough heart on top of the sauce and cheese layer. Place a heart-shaped cookie cutter in the center as a slicing guide.
- Slice the Heart: Using a sharp knife and the cookie cutter as a reference, make evenly spaced slices (approximately 1 inch wide) from bottom to top along both sides, creating about 10 strips total.
- Twist Strips: Starting from the bottom right strip, lift and twist it two full turns counterclockwise. Twist the bottom left strip clockwise. Continue twisting strips moving upward alternating directions as you go.
- Second Rise: Leave the cookie cutter in place, lightly cover the heart, and allow it to rise again for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400°F with rack in center.
- Prepare for Baking: Brush the entire dough surface with olive oil mixed with Italian seasoning using a pastry brush.
- Bake: Using the parchment paper, transfer the twisted dough heart onto a full-sized rimmed baking sheet (25 x 17 1/4 inches) to allow expansion. Bake for 28 minutes, turning the pan halfway through at 15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven, top with grated Parmesan, and serve immediately with extra sauce for dipping.
Notes
- The heart shape makes this recipe perfect for Valentine’s Day or romantic occasions.
- Keep toppings small or chopped finely to ease twisting and slicing.
- Use parchment paper for easy transfer to the baking sheet.
- Ensure dough is well risen for best texture and flavor.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter about 2 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches for slicing guidance.
- Baking on a large rimmed sheet pan prevents dough overflow and aids even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 317
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
