Little Caesars CopyKat Pretzel Cheddar Pizza
Ok, I have been working on this recipe for a month or two (this is my third attempt), and I really think I got it! Try it and let me know what you think. I truly think this is better than Little Caesars! Oh, it is just so good! ENJOY!
Ok, I have been working on this recipe for a month or two (this is my third attempt), and I really think I got it! Try it and let me know what you think. I truly think this is better than Little Caesars! Oh, it is just so good! ENJOY!
- 2 tbsp sugar
- toppings
- 4 tbsp butter
- pretzel dough recipe
- 1 1/2 c warm water 110 - 115 degree
- 1 tbsp rapid rise yeast (i use saf-instant gold yeast)
- 4 c flour all purpose or bread flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt (or your choice)
- 1 oz or 2 regular size small cans)
- 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese shreds
- pepperoni (as much or as little as you like)
- 1/2 c warm water
- 1/8 c baking soda
- coarse kosher or sea salt (pretzel salt is best b
- Carbohydrate 0.698812500590848 g
- Cholesterol 762.578127117205 mg
- Fat 287.708782048728 g
- Fiber 0.0300000004470348 g
- Protein 3.04484375837035 g
- Saturated Fat 182.198725505845 g
- Serving Size 1 1 - 2 Slices Each (Prep includes DOUGH time!) (517g)
- Sodium 3789.87000921066 mg
- Sugar 0.668812500143813 g
- Trans Fat 20.1508563059139 g
- Calories 2545 calories
Step-by-step
- DOUGH:
- Add 1 1/2 cups warm water (110-115 degrees) to a bowl of a stand mixer or a medium-size bowl if kneading by hand. Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar into the water, add 1 tablespoon of instant rise yeast, and give a quick whisk to combine. Let stand until bloomed, about 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, add 4 cups of all-purpose or bread flour to the yeast mixture. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. If using a stand mixer, set it to speed #2 and let it mix and knead for 5 minutes. If kneading by hand, mix until well combined and then knead on a countertop for 5 minutes (you will have a soft but firm dough).
- Spray a separate bowl with cooking spray (lightly) and place the dough into it. Spray the top of the dough lightly with cooking spray. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free place (the microwave is best!). Let it rise for 30 minutes.
- Remove dough from the bowl onto an ungreased pizza pan and roll it as close to the edges as you can. Press the dough towards the outside to form a thick pretzel crust. Let it rest for 10 minutes without covering.
- TOPPINGS
- In a bowl, add all the cheese sauce and 4 oz of the cheddar cheese shreds and combine.
- Spread the cheese mixture over the crust, all the way to the edge.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the mixture and top with as much or as little pepperoni as you like.
- Mix 1/2 cup of warm water and 1/8 cup of baking soda together until the baking soda is dissolved. Brush the edge crust with this mixture, wait a minute, and repeat several times.
- Sprinkle with as much or as little coarse salt as you like.
- Bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 18-20 minutes, until the crust is dark brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cool.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and brush it all over the crust.
- Cool for at least 10 minutes to set the cheese sauce and ENJOY!!
My Little Caesars Copycat Pizza Adventure
Let me tell you, friends, I've been on a quest. A culinary quest, if you will. For months, I’ve been trying to recreate that addictive, cheesy, pretzel-crusted pizza from Little Caesars. I’m a busy mom, juggling work, kids, and everything in between. Finding time to cook a proper meal often feels like a Herculean task. But this pizza? This pizza was a challenge I just couldn't resist. The first two attempts were... well, let’s just say they didn’t quite hit the mark. The crust was either too tough, or too soft, the cheese sauce was bland, or the whole thing just fell apart.
But I’m a stubborn one, and I wasn’t going to give up that easily! I tweaked the recipe again and again, testing different flour blends, experimenting with yeast activation, and perfecting the pretzel crust technique. I even tried different baking temperatures and times. It was a bit of a trial and error, let me tell you. The kitchen often looked like a disaster zone, and my kids would make fun of my “experiments.” But I had to get it right! I wanted that perfect combination of salty pretzel crust, gooey cheese, and tangy sauce that makes Little Caesars' pizza so undeniably addictive.
Finally, after numerous attempts and several flour-covered surfaces, I cracked the code. I perfected the recipe, and the result was truly spectacular. This pizza isn't just a copycat; it’s an upgrade. It’s even better than the original, at least in my humble opinion (and my family wholeheartedly agrees!). The crust is perfectly chewy and salty, with that irresistible pretzel flavor that makes you crave just one more bite. The cheese is stretchy and gooey, and the sauce is the perfect tangy complement to the savory crust and rich cheddar.
This pizza is a celebration of success! It's a testament to my persistence, my love for pizza, and my desire to bring a little bit of happiness to my family’s dinner table. It’s a recipe born from trial and error, from kitchen mishaps, and from the sheer will to create something delicious. And most importantly, it’s a recipe that I’m thrilled to share with you.
This isn't just a pizza; it's a story. A story of determination, of never giving up, and of the joy that comes from creating something delicious from scratch. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to embark on your own pizza-making adventure. The taste of victory—or should I say, the taste of amazing pizza—is waiting for you!
Trust me, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your home. It’s easy enough for a weeknight meal, but impressive enough for a weekend gathering. The best part? You can customize it to your liking. Add extra pepperoni, try different cheeses, or even experiment with different herbs and spices. The possibilities are endless!
But before you dive into the deliciousness, let me just say this one more time: This isn't just a pizza recipe; it's a story. A story of a mom, a wife, a baker, and a pizza enthusiast on a mission to create the perfect pizza. And I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
