Spooky mushroom pizza ☠️🤍
Recipe makes 2 pizzas
For the dough:
- 240g warm water
- 7g instant yeast
- 10g honey
- 35g olive oil
- 365g all purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook, whisk together the water, instant yeast, oil, and honey. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes
2. Add the flour and salt. Knead until a smooth dough forms. 10-15 mins
3. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes to allow the gluten to relax
4. Split into 2 portions then form into 2 balls
5. Place in a well greased dish then cover with plastic film
6. Proof in a warm environment for 3-4 hours
7. Preheat your oven to 500°F and place a steel pizza tray inside. Heat the tray for at least 40 minutes before using
For the sauce and toppings:
- 200g tomato sauce
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp each: parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Mozzarella cheese (as needed. You’re going to need a lot so have 1 block ready to go)
- Mushrooms (as needed. I used 2 small packs to make 2 pizzas)
1. Combine the tomato sauce, olive oil, sugar, salt, black pepper and spices
2. Shape your mushrooms as shown in the video. Make sure to use large thick mushrooms so they can hold their shape as they bake
3. Shred the Mozzarella cheese and have it ready to go. Use fresh cheese. Pre shredded is coated with starch and doesn’t melt as well
4. Form your 12” pizza on a well floured surface then place it on the hot tray. The tray should be 12” as well
5. Quickly add the sauce, cheese and mushrooms
6. Bake for 15 minutes. Make sure to rotate the tray halfway through baking so the pizza can get a nice even colour
7. Repeat the process with the other dough. This recipe makes 2
8. Optional: brush the pizza crust with garlic butter and drizzle it on top as well. Makes it even better :)
Making pizza at home can be both fun and rewarding, especially when you customize it with unique toppings like mushrooms for a spooky twist perfect for Halloween. When preparing the dough, it's important to use warm water—not too hot—to activate the yeast effectively without killing it. Honey in the dough not only helps the yeast activate but also provides a subtle sweetness that balances the savory toppings. Proofing dough in a warm, draft-free environment allows the gluten in the flour to develop properly, resulting in a light and airy pizza crust. Using a pizza steel preheated at 500°F for at least 40 minutes ensures your pizza cooks evenly and develops a crisp bottom. This is key to achieving an authentic wood-fired pizza texture in the home oven. For the tomato sauce, combining olive oil, sugar, and spices like parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne creates depth and complexity. The sugar balances the acidity of the tomato sauce, while the spices add a mild heat and flavor boost. When selecting mushrooms for the toppings, opt for large, thick ones such as portobello or cremini. These hold their shape during baking, allowing you to create fun spooky shapes for Halloween. Fresh mozzarella cheese melts smoothly and blankets the pizza beautifully. Avoid pre-shredded cheese since its added starch can prevent proper melting. To enhance flavor, brushing the pizza crust with garlic butter after baking adds a rich, aromatic finish that complements the savory toppings. Rotating the pizza during baking helps achieve an even golden color, avoiding spots that cook unevenly. Enjoying homemade pizza is also about the experience—preparing the dough, shaping mushrooms into spooky designs, and sharing the process with friends or family creates joyful memories. This recipe balances authentic ingredient techniques with creative Halloween fun, making it a perfect project for home bakers wanting to celebrate the season.
Well done very creative