Mini Christmas Pizzas
A short prebake sets the crust before the sauce goes on, so every star and tree keeps its sharp points instead of puffing into a blob. Finished with melted mozzarella and ham.
Ingredients
- 10 oz. refrigerated pizza dough (1 roll)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 3½ oz. deli ham finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
- 2 tablespoons chives finely chopped
Ingredients you need per step are listed below the step in Italic
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to
430 °F conventional oven or 
400 °F (convection oven). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. - Use Christmas cookie cutters that are about 3 inches wide. Smaller cutters do not leave much room for the toppings. Cut stars, Christmas trees, bells and other forms you have from the pizza dough. Press each cutter all the way through the dough.10 oz. refrigerated pizza dough
- Carefully lift the shapes with a thin spatula and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Leave a little space between each one. If the shapes do not fit on one baking sheet, bake them in batches.
- Gather the leftover dough, roll it out one more time, and cut out additional shapes. Avoid rolling it more than once because the dough can become tough.
- Prebake the plain pizza crusts for 3 to 4 minutes. They should look set but should not be brown yet.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each crust. Use no more than about 1 teaspoon per pizza and a little less for narrow or smaller shapes. A thin layer is enough.½ cup pizza sauce
- Divide the chopped ham and mozzarella among the pizzas. Sprinkle with Parmesan and oregano. Keep all the toppings inside the edges so the holiday shapes remain easy to see.3½ oz. deli ham, 1 cup shredded Mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- If desired, lightly brush the uncovered dough edges with olive oil. This helps them turn golden brown, but you can skip this step.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Bake for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the edges are golden brown. Check the pizzas regularly after 5 minutes because narrow points can brown quickly.
- Let the mini pizzas cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh chives just before serving.2 tablespoons chives
NOTES
1. Can I Use a Different Meat?
- Deli ham is a good choice for children. You can replace the 3½ ounces of ham with the same amount of finely chopped salami or cooked chicken breast.
- Salami will make the pizzas a little saltier and richer.
- Whichever meat you choose, spread it in a thin layer so the Christmas shapes remain visible.
2. Can I Use Fresh Mozzarella? Shredded low-moisture mozzarella works best because it melts well and contains less liquid than fresh mozzarella. If you want to use a ball of fresh mozzarella, drain it thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels. Chop it into very small pieces before adding it to the pizzas. Keep in mind that the crusts may turn out slightly softer.
3. Can I Make Mini Christmas Pizzas Ahead of Time?
- Refrigerator: Prebake the plain crusts for 3 to 4 minutes, then let them cool completely. Store the crusts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Add the toppings and finish baking just before serving. This helps the crust stay firm and prevents the sauce from soaking into the dough.
- Freezer: Bake the crusts without toppings. Spread the sauce over the crusts, then top with the cheeses, ham and oregano. Place the pizzas in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for three hours. Transfer the frozen pizzas to a freezer bag and store for up to one month. Ready to bake? Place the frozen pizzas on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown and hot.
4. Storage
- Refrigerator: Let leftover mini pizzas cool and refrigerate them in an airtight container within two hours. Store them for up to two days.
- Freezer: Freeze fully baked and cooled pizzas for up to one month. Pack them in individual portions in airtight containers or freezer bags. Thaw the pizzas overnight in the refrigerator. The edges may be slightly less crisp after freezing.
- Reheating: Reheat the pizzas in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is hot and the centers are warmed through. For a small portion, warm them in a dry skillet over low heat. Place the lid slightly ajar so steam can escape. This helps prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
Nutrition
Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 247mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
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