Description
This classic Detroit Style Pizza recipe features a thick, airy crust topped with generous amounts of brick cheese, spicy pepperoni, and homemade tomato sauce. Baked in a rectangular pan to achieve its signature crispy edges and caramelized cheese, this pizza offers a perfect combination of textures and flavors for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup water
- Olive oil (for greasing)
Toppings
- 1 cup homemade tomato sauce
- 12 ounces brick cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 12 ounces pepperoni slices
Instructions
- Activate Yeast and Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine the water and instant yeast. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes to activate the yeast. Then add the bread flour and salt, mixing until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Drizzle olive oil inside a bowl, place the dough in it, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, about 2 hours.
- Prepare the Pan and Shape Dough: Line a 10x8-inch Detroit-style pizza pan or a similar rectangular pan with parchment paper and brush it generously with olive oil. Transfer the risen dough to the pan and gently press it toward the edges, even if it doesn’t reach all the way yet. Cover with a kitchen towel and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
- Stretch Dough Further: After resting, stretch the dough carefully to reach the edges of the pan, pressing slightly into the corners to fill the pan. Rest longer if necessary to allow the dough to relax and stretch more easily.
- Dimple the Dough and Add Cheese: Use your fingertips to dimple the dough’s surface to release any large air bubbles. Evenly sprinkle the cubed brick cheese over the entire dough surface, making sure some cheese touches the edges for that signature crispy, caramelized crust.
- Add Pepperoni and Sauce: Place the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese. Spoon the homemade tomato sauce in three even rows across the pizza without spreading it, preserving the classic Detroit style look.
- Bake the Pizza: Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) or as hot as your oven can go. Bake the pizza for 12–15 minutes until the edges are dark and crispy, and the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pizza to cool slightly in the pan, then slice into squares and serve warm.
Notes
- Using bread flour helps create the characteristic chewy texture of Detroit Style pizza crust.
- Brick cheese melts differently than mozzarella, giving the pizza its distinct creamy texture and crispy edges.
- Letting the dough rest between shaping steps helps achieve a better rise and texture.
- If you don’t have a Detroit-style pan, use a similarly sized metal or cast iron pan with high sides.
- For extra flavor, try adding garlic or herbs to your tomato sauce.
