Description
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:
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- 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.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 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:
- 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:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Brush with Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the calzones with the egg wash and lightly brush with olive oil.
- 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:
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the calzones are golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the calzones cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 calzone
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg