Pan Pizza

This is the best homemade pan pizza I’ve ever had.  You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make this – but you have to have cake pans.  I know, cake pans!  That’s one thing I have in abundance!

Makes two 9-inch pizzas serving 4 to 6
Dough
 
1/2 cup olive oil  
3/4 cup skim milk plus 2 additional tablespoons, warmed to 110 degrees 
2 teaspoons sugar  
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour , plus extra for counter 
1 package  instant yeast  
1/2 teaspoon table salt  

Topping
 
1 (3.5-ounce) package sliced pepperoni  
1 1/3 cups tomato sauce (I use whatever I can find at the grocery store if I don’t have time to make it)          3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese  

See Illustrations Below: How to Make Pan Pizza

1. To make the dough: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off. Lightly grease large bowl with cooking spray. Coat each of two 9-inch cake pans with 3 tablespoons oil.

2. Mix milk, sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in measuring cup. Mix flour, yeast, and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine to 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 lightly floured counter, gently shape into ball, and place in greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in warm oven until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

3. To shape and top the dough: Transfer dough to lightly floured counter, divide in half, and lightly roll each half into ball. Working with 1 dough ball at a time, roll and shape dough into 9 1/2-inch round and press into oiled pan. Cover with plastic wrap and set in warm spot (not in oven) until puffy and slightly risen, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees.

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

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

Cooking Tip

• If you like your crust a little extra crispy, take them out of their pans when they’re done baking and put them directly on a rack of your oven for 5-7 minutes.  So good!!