Description
Love blooms with these Valentine’s Day Calzone Hearts, a romantic Italian-inspired treat perfect for sharing. Crispy pastry pockets filled with creamy cheese and sweet fillings promise to melt hearts and spark culinary passion you’ll treasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) warm water
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Filling Cheeses:
- 1 cup (240 grams) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Filling Proteins and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) diced pepperoni
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For Assembly:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) water
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) marinara sauce
- Olive oil, for brushing
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to develop for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbling.
- Create the dough foundation by blending flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate the activated yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. Knead thoroughly for 5 minutes to achieve a smooth, elastic texture.
- Allow the dough to rest and rise in a lightly oiled bowl, covered, for approximately 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.
- Prepare the savory filling by thoroughly mixing ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, diced pepperoni, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Heat the oven to 425F (220C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface to an even thickness. Craft heart-shaped sections using a cookie cutter or carefully cutting with a knife.
- Distribute the prepared filling onto half of the heart-shaped dough pieces, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Carefully layer a second heart-shaped dough piece over the filling, pressing and crimping the edges with a fork to create a secure seal.
- Enhance the calzones by generously brushing the tops with egg wash and a light coating of olive oil.
- Create small steam vents by making two delicate slits on the top of each calzone.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the calzones transform into a rich, golden brown color.
- Allow the calzones to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Present the heart-shaped calzones with warm marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Customize the dough by substituting half the flour with whole wheat for added nutrition and a nutty flavor.
- Experiment with different fillings like spinach and feta or ham and Swiss to suit various dietary preferences.
- Prevent soggy bottoms by preheating the baking sheet or using a pizza stone for extra crispiness.
- Reduce cheese content for a lighter version or use low-fat alternatives without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 359 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg