Stuffed Crust Pizza Braid Recipes

PIZZA BRAID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl and stir until smooth. Microwave the sauce, stirring halfway through, until hot, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Put the pizza dough on a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 10-by-14-inch rectangle. Spread 3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough and sprinkle with the mozzarella and pepperoni pieces.
• Working from one long side, roll up the rectangle like a jelly roll and position it seam-side down on a cutting board. Use a paring knife to trim the ends of the dough log, then cut the log in half lengthwise. Lay the 2 halves cut-side up next to each other and twist them together into a tight loaf about 12 inches long.
• Transfer the twisted dough to the prepared baking sheet and brush gently all over with the egg mixture. Bake until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted in the center, 30 to 32 minutes. Transfer the braid to a cutting board, cut into slices and serve with the remaining pizza sauce for dipping.

STUFFED PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Roll and stretch out the risen dough on a floured work surface into a rope about 31 inches long. Press a rolling pin into the dough to create a trench and roll it to a rectangle about 3 inches wide.
• Keeping a 1/2-inch border on each long side of the dough, smear the remaining dough with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Spread the surface with a nice thin layer of the Arrabbiata Sauce, then sprinkle with the Parmesan, mozzarella and pepperoni. Arrange the string cheese pieces on top in a double line. Fold the long sides of the dough up over the center (over the string cheese) and pinch the edges together well so there's no leakage. Bring the ends together to form a circle.
• Drizzle a baking sheet with olive oil. Carefully transfer the dough circle to the prepared baking sheet, flipping it over before putting it on the sheet so the seam side is down. Brush the egg wash over the surface of the dough. Bake until the edges of the crust are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a board to rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
• Arrange the tomato slices and basil leaves in concentric circles in the middle of the pizza crust ring and serve with a dish of the remaining Arrabbiata Sauce on the side for dipping.
• Heat a pan over medium-high heat until hot and add the olive oil. Throw in the red pepper flakes and onions, give them a stir and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the wine, whisking to deglaze the bottom of the pan. Cook until the liquid reduces by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning and stir to combine. Add a pinch of sugar and some salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

MOZZARELLA STUFFED CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• You can make the pizza dough up to 48 hrs before you want to cook the pizza. Warm the milk in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling. In a large bowl combine the flour, yeast, sugar and 1 tsp salt. Add 1/2 tbsp oil to the milk and leave to cool until just warm -when you place a finger in the liquid it should feel body temperature. Pour the liquid into the bowl and either mix with a wooden spoon or food mixer, until the ingredients are well combined. Tip out onto your work surface and knead for 10 mins, or continue mixing in the mixer for 5-7 mins, until you have a smooth and elastic dough. Clean and oil the bowl, return the dough and cover with cling film. Leave somewhere warm to rise for 1-2 hrs, until doubled in size, or place in the fridge for up to 48 hrs.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Pour the remaining oil and passata into a saucepan and add the squashed garlic, oregano and a pinch of sugar. Season well and simmer for 5-10 mins, until the sauce is thick. Remove the garlic cloves and set aside until you're ready to assemble the pizza.
• If the dough has been chilled remove from the fridge and leave at room temperature for 1 hr. Dust the work surface with polenta and tip the dough onto it. Punch the dough down to knock out the air bubbles then shape into a disk. Roll out the dough to a pizza base, about 35cm wide. Dust a large baking sheet with polenta and place the dough on top, making sure the dough can move around freely. Use 125g of the mozzarella to create a ring around the outside edge of the pizza base, leaving 1/2cm gap between the edge. Brush a little water inside the mozzarella ring then fold over the outside edge to enclose the mozzarella and create a stuffed crust. Press firmly to stick the dough in place.
• Spoon the sauce over the middle of the base and top with the remaining mozzarella. Scatter with your chosen toppings (save any fresh herbs for scattering over at the end) and brush the stuffed crust with a little oil, then lightly cover with oiled cling film and set aside for 20-30 mins, until the dough has puffed up a little. Meanwhile heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9 with a large baking sheet on the middle shelf to heat up.
• When the oven is hot and the pizza dough has puffed up, quickly open the oven door and slide the pizza onto the hot tray. Shut the door and cook for 15-20 mins, or until bubbling and cooked through. Leave to cool for a few mins before eating.

BRAIDED STUFFED PIZZA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on cookie sheet, forming 14x11-inch rectangle.
• Spread garlic and herb cheese lengthwise down center 1/3 of rectangle to within 1/2 inch of short ends. Top with Canadian bacon, pepperoni, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• With scissors or sharp knife, make cuts 1 inch apart on long sides of dough to within 1/2 inch of filling. Alternately cross strips over filling. Fold ends under to seal.
• In small bowl, mix egg yolk and water until well blended. Brush over dough; sprinkle with poppy seed.
• Bake 11 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into crosswise slices. Serve with pizza sauce.

BRAIDED PIZZA LOAF

Steps:

• Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Cool completely. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 15x12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased baking sheet. Spread filling lengthwise down center third of rectangle. Sprinkle cheeses over filling. , On each long side, cut 1-1/2-in.-wide strips about 2-1/2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Brush with butter. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

PIZZA WITH STUFFED CRUST

Steps:

• Sprinkle cornmeal evenly over a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Unroll pizza dough and place on pan, letting dough drape 1 in. over the edges. Pinch center seam to seal. , Place pieces of string cheese around edges of pan. Fold dough over cheese; pinch to seal. Brush the crust with butter; sprinkle with basil. , Bake at 425° for 5 minutes. Spread sauce over crust. Place two-thirds of the pepperoni in a single layer over sauce. Sprinkle with mushrooms, olives and cheese. Top with remaining pepperoni. , Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crust and cheese are lightly browned.