Description
This Blackberry Basil Pizza offers a unique twist on traditional pizza by combining the sweet and tangy flavors of fresh blackberries with aromatic basil and creamy cheeses. It’s a delightful balance of sweetness, herbaceous notes, and savory elements baked to perfection with a crispy crust, making for an impressive appetizer or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Flour for dusting
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Toppings
- 1 cup fresh blackberries, rinsed and dried
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to ensure it is hot enough for a crispy crust and properly melted cheese.
- Prepare Dough: Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Allow store-bought dough to rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes for easier rolling and better texture.
- Roll Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch round shape, keeping the edges slightly thicker to form a crust.
- Transfer Dough: Carefully place the rolled-out dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone, using parchment paper if preferred to prevent sticking.
- Mash Blackberries: Gently mash half of the blackberries in a bowl with a fork, leaving the other half whole to add texture contrast.
- Season Blackberries: Add salt and pepper to the mashed blackberries to enhance their flavor.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Combine shredded mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese in a separate bowl.
- Flavor Cheese: Sprinkle garlic powder into the cheese mixture and stir well to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Layer Blackberry Spread: Evenly spread the mashed blackberry mixture over the pizza dough, leaving about an inch border for the crust.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the seasoned cheese mixture over the mashed blackberry layer.
- Add Whole Blackberries: Scatter the remaining whole blackberries evenly over the cheese for bursts of fresh flavor.
- Add Basil: Sprinkle the chopped basil leaves uniformly across the top to add aromatic freshness.
- Brush Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle olive oil over the pizza to enhance browning and add richness.
- Bake Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Monitor Baking: Watch the pizza closely during the last few minutes, covering edges with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly to prevent burning.
- Cool Pizza: Remove the pizza carefully from the oven and allow it to cool briefly for a couple of minutes to set the toppings.
- Finish with Glaze: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the pizza just before serving to add a tangy sweetness.
- Serve: Slice the pizza into 4-6 wedges and serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Allowing the dough to rest at room temperature makes it easier to roll and yields a fluffier crust.
- Using a pizza stone can improve crust texture but a baking sheet works well too.
- If edges brown too quickly, tent them with foil to prevent burning.
- Balsamic glaze adds a nice tang and sweetness that complements the blackberries perfectly.
- Fresh basil is recommended for best flavor; dried basil will not provide the same aromatic freshness.
- This pizza is best served warm and enjoyed immediately.
