Garlic. Cheese. Bombs. These are a must every single time I make homemade pizza. If I don't make these, everyone asks for them. Pizza night is just a disappointment without them. I can't NOT make these anymore.
To make the garlic cheese bombs, start with my basic pizza crust. One batch of my basic pizza crust recipe will make three dozen garlic cheese bombs.
Once the dough has risen, divide the dough until you have 36 portions. I use a bench scraper and I just keep cutting halves until I get to 36 pieces.
Then I take chunks of mozzarella cheese, wrap the dough around them, and set them on a cookie sheet to rest and rise some more.
Before resting and rising.
Ready to bake!
Bake them in a 350 degree oven until they are starting to turn golden brown on top. While they are baking, melt 1/4 cup of butter and add 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt. When they are done, brush them with the garlic salt and butter mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Ready to try these? Print the recipe off and add these to your next pizza night!
Pizza. We love it all. (well, only if it doesn't have veggies on it 😆) I usually make pizza every other week, if not once a week. It is one meal that I know my whole family will love. If we have company I make multiple pizzas. You always win supper with homemade pizza.
This basic pizza dough recipe is how I start all my pizza recipes. It's easy to make and can easily make one large pizza or can be divided for smaller pizzas. Many times I make two batches so that I have enough recipe for garlic cheese bombs. (More on those later. They are so good.)
To make the dough, first you take 1 cup of warm water (110 to 115 degrees) and add it to a bowl with 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) of active dry yeast. The temperature is important here. If the water is too hot it will kill the yeast and your dough won't rise. If the water is too cool it may take longer to rise. I then sprinkle some of the sugar on top to help get the yeast going.
Once the yeast has developed some foam, I add my remaining ingredients and mix with my dough hook. Once the ingredients are combined I knead the dough for about 5-8 minutes with the dough hook. You will know the dough is ready once it comes together in a ball. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let it rise until doubled, about an hour.
Before rising
After rising
You can also freeze this dough for later. Just put it in a freezer ziploc bag after it has been kneaded and before you let it rise. When you are ready to use it, get it out the night before, put in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in the fridge. You can also let it rise on the counter for 3-4 hours.
Once the dough has risen, you can punch it down and divide it into the portions that you will need. You can make one large pizza with thick crust, several individual pizzas, or two pizzas. It really is up to you and your preferences. The kids love when I pinch off enough for them to make individual mini pizzas. However I normally divide this dough into two equal parts to make two pizzas with a thinner crust. Or, you can make one pizza and some of those yummy garlic cheese bombs I mentioned earlier. If I divide the dough in half, I can get one 12 inch pizza with thin crust and a dozen garlic cheese bombs.
After the dough has risen, it is time to make the pizza! Roll your dough out the way you like and poke the surface with a fork. This will prevent any huge air bubbles from forming while it bakes. Prebake your crust for about 7-8 minutes in a 425 degree oven, or until the crust barely starts to develop some golden brown spots.
Next, add your sauce and toppings. Pepperoni and Italian sausage are my usual go to toppings. Bake for about 20 minutes in a 425 degree oven or until the cheese is golden.
Turn your next pizza night up a notch with this easy homemade crust!
Basic Pizza Crust
Author: The Marigold Kitchen
Ingredients
1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 2 1/2 cups flour
Instructions
In a bowl, add the yeast and sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Add the warm water and stir. Let sit until the yeast becomes foamy.
Add the remaining sugar, salt, oil, and flour and mix with the dough hook. Start with 2 cups flour, and add more if needed to make the dough come together.
Knead with the dough hook for about 5-7 minutes.
Place the dough in a greased bowl and let rise until double, about an hour.
