Pepperoni Pan Pizza

By NicoleS

Pan pizza (often called deep-dish pizza) is named for the pan in which the dough is risen and cooked. This type of pizza is known for an irresistible, buttery crust that’s crispy on the bottom and chewy in the middle. We set out to develop a pizza that was better than take-out, where the crust shares equal billing with the toppings and each is full of flavor—not grease.

Ingredients

• Dough:
• 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
• 3/4 cup skim milk plus 2 additional Tablespoons, warmed to 110 degrees
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 1/3 cups (11 5/8 ounces or 11.6) all-purpose flour, plus extra for counter
• 1 pkg instant yeast
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• Topping:
• 1 (3.5-ounce) package sliced pepperoni
• 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce
• 12 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 3 cups)

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from keyingredient.com

Preparation

Step 1

Dough:
1. Adjust an oven rack to lowest position and heat the oven to 200 degrees. When the oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off. Lightly oil a large bowl with vegetable oil spray. Coat two 9-inch cake pans with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.

2. Mix milk, sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a measuring cup.

3. Mix flour, yeast and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine on low and slowly add milk mixture. After dough comes together, increase speed to medium low and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes. Turn dough onto a floured counter, shape into a ball and place in oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in oven until doubled, about 30 minutes.

4. Transfer dough to lightly floured counter, divide in half, and roll each half into a ball. Roll each ball into the 9 1/2-inch round and press into the oiled pans. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm spot (not in the oven) until risen slightly, about 20 minutes.

5. While the dough rises, put half of the pepperoni in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate lined with 2 paper towels. Cover with 2 more paper towels and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Set pepperoni aside; repeat with the remaining pepperoni.

6. Remove the plastic wrap from the dough. Ladle 3/4 cup of sauce onto each round. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cheese and top with pepperoni. Bake until cheese is melted and the pepperoni is browning around the edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven; let the pizzas rest in the pans for 1 minute. Using a spatula, transfer the pizzas to a cutting board and cut each into 8 wedges. Serve.