Pizza Cake
Pizza Cake is a fun and hearty layered dish made with pizza dough, savory meats, melted cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings baked into a tall, sliceable "cake." It's a crowd-pleasing recipe that's perfect for parties, game days, family dinners, or special celebrations.
Equipment
- 9-inch springform pan
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Cutting board
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Pastry brush
- Small mixing bowl
- Spoon or offset spatula
- Aluminum foil
- Serrated knife or sharp chef’s knife
Ingredients
For the Pizza Layers
- 3 tubes refrigerated pizza dough about 13.8 ounces each
- 2 cups thick pizza sauce
- 4 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone or Italian cheese blend
- 6 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
For the Pan and Crust
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal optional
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh basil
- Extra grated Parmesan
- Warm pizza sauce for dipping
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
Step 1: Bake the inner pizza crusts
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Unroll two tubes of pizza dough. Cut four 8-inch circles from the dough, gently rerolling the scraps when needed.
- Place the circles on the prepared baking sheets and prick them several times with a fork. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until set but still pale and flexible.
- Transfer the crusts to a wire rack and let them cool while you prepare the pan.
Step 2: Prepare the springform pan
- Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
- Brush the inside of a 9-inch springform pan with olive oil. Sprinkle the bottom lightly with cornmeal if desired.
- Unroll the third tube of pizza dough. Press it across the bottom and up the sides of the pan, allowing a small amount to extend above the rim.
- Patch any thin areas with leftover dough from the baked crusts. The dough should form one continuous outer shell without large gaps.
Step 3: Prepare the cheese and seasonings
- In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan.
- In a second small bowl, mix the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
- Set aside about 1 cup of the cheese mixture for the top of the pizza cake.
Step 4: Build the pizza layers
- Spread about 1/3 cup of pizza sauce over the dough at the bottom of the pan.
- Add one baked crust, another thin layer of sauce, a portion of the cheese mixture, several pepperoni slices, and a light sprinkle of seasoning.
- Repeat the process with the remaining baked crusts. Keep each sauce layer thin so the finished pizza cake does not become watery.
- Finish with sauce, the reserved cheese, pepperoni, and a small amount of seasoning on top.
Step 5: Seal and bake
- Fold the dough extending above the pan inward to create a raised crust around the top.
- Mix the melted butter with 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and brush it over the exposed crust.
- Place the springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any melted cheese or sauce.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the outside crust is deep golden and the cheese on top is bubbling. Loosely cover the top with foil if it browns before the side crust is fully cooked.
Step 6: Rest and remove from the pan
- Transfer the pizza cake to a heat-safe surface and let it rest in the pan for 15 minutes.
- Run a thin knife around the inside edge to loosen any melted cheese. Carefully release and remove the outer ring of the springform pan.
- If the sides still look pale or soft, return the pizza cake to the oven without the ring for 5 minutes.
Step 7: Slice and serve
- Transfer the pizza cake to a cutting board or serving platter.
- Sprinkle the top with fresh basil, Parmesan, or red pepper flakes if desired.
- Use a sharp serrated knife or chef’s knife to cut it into eight wedges. Serve warm with additional pizza sauce for dipping.