Description
This Blackberry Basil Pizza offers a delightful and unexpected blend of sweet and savory flavors. Featuring a crispy, golden crust topped with a layer of mashed blackberries, fresh whole blackberries, aromatic basil, creamy mozzarella, and tangy goat cheese, this pizza is finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze that perfectly balances the freshness and richness. Ideal for a unique appetizer or a light meal, it’s a creative twist on classic pizza that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, about 12-inch diameter)
- Flour for dusting
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 olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the pizza.
- Prepare Dough: Lightly dust your work surface with flour to prevent sticking. If using store-bought dough, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften.
- Roll Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a round shape approximately 12 inches in diameter, making sure to leave the edges slightly thicker to form the crust.
- Transfer Dough: Carefully place the rolled-out dough onto a baking sheet or pizza stone lined with parchment paper if preferred for easy cleanup.
- Mash Blackberries: In a small bowl, gently mash half of the blackberries with a fork to release their juices, while keeping the other half whole for topping.
- Season Berries: Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the mashed blackberries for added flavor and mix gently.
- Mix Cheeses: In another bowl, combine shredded mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese evenly.
- Add Garlic Powder: Sprinkle garlic powder into the cheese mixture and stir well to distribute seasoning throughout.
- Spread Blackberry Layer: Evenly spread the mashed blackberry mixture over the rolled-out dough, leaving about an inch border around the edges for the crust.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the mixed cheese evenly over the blackberry layer.
- Add Whole Blackberries: Scatter the remaining whole blackberries across the top of the cheese for texture and bursts of fruity flavor.
- Add Basil: Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil leaves evenly over the entire pizza for aromatic freshness.
- Drizzle Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle the olive oil over the assembled pizza to enhance the flavors and help create a golden crust.
- 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 melted.
- Monitor Browning: Keep an eye on the pizza in the last few minutes of baking; if the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the pizza carefully from the oven and allow it to cool for a couple of minutes to set the toppings before slicing.
- Add Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the top of the pizza to finish, adding a sweet and tangy contrast that elevates the taste.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe blackberries and fresh basil leaves.
- If you don’t have a pizza stone, a baking sheet works equally well for baking.
- Letting the dough rest at room temperature makes it easier to stretch and roll out.
- Covering the edges with foil during baking prevents over-browning or burning of the crust.
- Balsamic glaze can be substituted with a balsamic reduction or a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar for a similar effect.
- Pair the pizza with a light salad or a glass of white wine to complement the fruity and savory flavors.
