If there’s one thing that’s universally loved, it’s pizza. However, few people outside of Michigan know about the mouth-watering wonder that is Detroit-style pizza. This Windy City secret has been kept under wraps for too long, and it’s high time that food lovers everywhere were let in on it.
What is Detroit-Style Pizza?
Detroit-style pizza is like the robust, more intense version of a Sicilian square pizza. Its defining characteristic is the thick, crispy crust that’s reminiscent of deep-dish pizza, yet quite different in taste and texture. The crust results from baking the pizza in a deeply oiled pan, producing an almost-fried bottom layer.
The Broad Speculation of Detroit-Style Pizza
The crust is soft and airy on the inside but offers the satisfying crackle of a crunchy exterior. Traditionally, the order of layering is a bit different, too. Pepperoni is laid out on the dough followed by cheese that extends to the edges. This leads to the formation of a caramelized cheesy crust around the perimeter. Then comes the signature stripe of red sauce across the top. The end result? A pizza that is robust, rich, with every bite offering a symphony of flavors.
Getting Down to Business: Detroit-Style Pizza Recipe
Ready to dive in? Starting from scratch is simpler than it seems. Just follow these easy steps to enjoying your own home-made Detroit-style pizza.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups bread flour
- 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz brick cheese, sliced thinly
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 cup pizza sauce
Instructions
- In a sizeable bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, sugar and salt. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Add warm water and olive oil to the dry mix. Stir until it forms a sticky dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for approximately 10 minutes. Shape it into a ball.
- Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and cover with a cloth. Allow it to rise in a warm location for about 2 hours, until it doubles in size.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F. Grease a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with a generous amount of olive oil.
- Transfer the risen dough to the prepared baking pan. Push it out towards the corners and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- After resting, arrange the pepperoni slices on the pizza dough. Cover with thinly sliced brick and mozzarella cheese, making sure to arrange some cheese around the edges to create a caramelized crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese forms a bubbly, golden crust.
- Heat the pizza sauce while the pizza bakes. Once the pizza is out of the oven, distribute the warm pizza sauce across the top of the pizza.
- Cut the pizza into slices and serve warm. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Try out this Detroit-style pizza recipe and forge a journey through the bold, satisfying flavors that make this dish a Motor City icon. Feel free to get creative and add your own twist, after all, the best cooking often comes from experimentation and personalized touches. Happy baking!
