Print

Valentine’s Day Calzone Hearts

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

These adorable heart-shaped calzones are perfect for Valentine’s Day! Filled with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, along with savory pepperoni (or your favorite fillings), these calzones are golden and crispy with a deliciously cheesy center. Perfect for dipping in marinara sauce!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup diced pepperoni (or cooked sausage, mushrooms, spinach, etc.)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

  • 1 large egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water, for egg wash)
  • ½ cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
  • Olive oil (for brushing)

Instructions

Make the Dough:

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until the dough comes together.
  3. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling:

  1. Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, diced pepperoni, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Shape the Calzones:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Roll the Dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a large heart-shaped cookie cutter or cut out heart shapes with a knife.
  3. Fill the Calzones: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of filling onto the center of half of the heart shapes, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
  4. Seal the Calzones: Place a second dough heart over the filling. Press the edges together and crimp with a fork to seal.

Add the Finishing Touches:

  1. Brush with Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the calzones with the egg wash and lightly brush with olive oil.
  2. Vent the Calzones: Use a sharp knife to make two small slits on the tops of the calzones for steam to escape.

Bake and Serve:

  1. Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the calzones are golden brown.
  2. Cool and Serve: Let the calzones cool for 5 minutes before serving.
  3. Serve: Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • You can customize the filling with your favorite ingredients such as sautéed vegetables, cooked sausage, or even a mix of different cheeses.
  • For a lighter version, use whole wheat flour for the dough.
  • If you prefer a crispier crust, bake the calzones on a pizza stone instead of a baking sheet.

Nutrition