Pizza: Pizza Buns

Want pizza, but don't want pizza? Me too, though I'll always eat pizza in any of its forms. But if you want something a little easier to eat than a traditional pizza, and something kids will love, these easy Pizza Buns are for you.


Ingredients


1 recipe for Basic Pizza Crust
½ cup pizza sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
¼ cup parmesan cheese
other pizza toppings as desired


Preparation


If you've ever made cinnamon buns, this will be easy. If you haven't, it will still be simple enough. Roll out your pizza dough until it's a rectangle about 12 x 15 inches. Spread the sauce on the dough, leaving a strip of about an inch uncovered on the long side (the 15-inch side). Top the sauce with the cheeses and any other toppings you like. Reserve just a little mozzarella cheese and other toppings to put on top of the buns, if desired. Don't overload the dough. You generally want a little less toppings than you'd use if you were making a traditional pizza.


Roll up the dough, starting on the 15-inch side, but not the side that has no sauce or toppings. You'll need that side free to seal the roll. Roll the dough tightly, but no so tight that you push the toppings out. Ideally, the toppings need to stay in place, so go slowly and gently.


Pinch the roll closed along the seam, then gently use your hands to move the roll back and forth a bit. This will help even it out a little. Use a sharp knife to slice the roll into 12 equal portions. Do not use a serrated knife, and cut in one smooth motion. A little sauce will squeeze out, but just ignore that.


Heat the oven to 400°F. Place the buns on a prepared baking sheet. The two end pieces should be place with cut side up so they look like the other buns. Using a piece of wax paper or a plastic baggie to protect your hand and keep the sauce in place, press down on each bun slightly, flattening them out so they bake evenly. Sprinkle with any remaining toppings, if desired.


Bake for 20 minutes, until buns are browned and the cheese is bubbling a little. Allow to cool 5 minutes, then serve.


This recipe makes 12 Pizza Buns.