Method
- Step 1: Make pizza dough: In large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and activated. Add flour, salt, and olive oil, stirring until shaggy dough forms. Turn out onto floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back when poked. Place in oiled bowl, cover with damp towel, and let rise in warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.Step 2: While dough rises, prepare pepperoni hearts: Use mini heart-shaped cookie cutter (about ¾ inch wide) to cut hearts from pepperoni slices. You'll need 20-25 pepperoni hearts total. If you don't have heart cutter, use regular round pepperoni—pizza will still be romantic with heart shape alone.Step 3: Preheat oven to 475°F. If using pizza stone, place it in oven while preheating (at least 30 minutes). If using baking sheet, line it with parchment paper. Punch down risen dough and place on floured surface.Step 4: Roll dough into circle about 12-13 inches diameter, then shape into heart: Fold circle in half creating half-moon, pinch indent at top center of curved edge to form heart's top curves, and gently stretch bottom into point. Adjust and smooth dough with fingers until you achieve even heart shape with relatively uniform thickness throughout.Step 5: Transfer shaped dough to parchment paper (if using stone) or prepared baking sheet. Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough leaving ½-inch border around edges. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over sauce, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning.Step 6: Arrange pepperoni hearts decoratively across pizza surface, spacing them evenly and creating appealing pattern. Press pepperoni gently into cheese so they adhere during baking.Step 7: Carefully transfer pizza (on parchment if using stone) to preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden brown and crispy on bottom, cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown in spots, and pepperoni edges curl slightly. If using stone, slide parchment with pizza directly onto hot stone; if using baking sheet, place sheet in oven. Remove finished pizza from oven, let cool for 2-3 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Slice and serve immediately while hot and cheese is still gooey. For romantic presentation, serve whole heart pizza on large board and slice at table for maximum visual impact.
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving): Carbs: 42g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 18g