Festive Christmas Pizza: A Fun and Delicious Holiday Treat
Embrace the holiday spirit with a delightful Christmas pizza thats sure to impress. This festive masterpiece features a crust filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, providing a rich and savory base. Topped with tender chicken and earthy mushrooms it offers a satisfying flavor combination. At the center a charming gingerbread man crafted from cheddar cheese adds a whimsical touch making it a perfect centerpiece for your Holidays!
Why This Christmas Pizza Is Perfect for Your Holiday Celebration
The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing delicious meals, and making unforgettable memories. And what better way to celebrate than with a festive Christmas pizza? This creative and flavorful dish brings the perfect combination of comfort and celebration to your holiday table. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, throwing a holiday party, or simply looking for something special to enjoy with your family, this Christmas-themed pizza is sure to be a hit. Here’s why it’s the perfect dish for your holiday celebrations.
Before cooking
link of everything we used for this recipe.
Here is a list of things to do before baking your Christmas pizza:
–GATHER INGREDIENTS, collect all the necessary ingredients to make this Christmas pizza including mozzarella cheese, blended tomato sauce, chicken, mushrooms, cheddar cheese for the toppings and all the necessary ingredients for the dough.
–WEIGHT INGREDIENTS, measure the appropriate amount of each ingredient for this recipe.
–PREPARE THE DOUGH, if you are using homemade dough (you can find the recipe in this blog post), roll it out to your desired thickness and if you are using store bough, let it come to room temperature.
–PREPARE THE SAUCE, we are using strained blended tomato sauce with extra virgin olive oil, dry oregano and salt.
-CHOP THE VEGETABLES, with a paper towel clean the mushrooms and cut them.
–CUT AND SEASON THE CHICKEN, cut the chicken into cubes and add the right seasonings. Mix and set aside.
–GRATE MOZZARELLA CHEESE, shred the cheese and cover with plastic wrap.
–CUT CHEDDAR CHEESE, find a gingerbread man cookie cutter and cut the cheddar cheese.
Equipment you’ll need to make a Christmas pizza
- food scale to weight the dough ingredients
- stand mixer to knead the dough (not necessary if you dont have it)
- mixing bowl
- rolling pin
- cutting board and knife to cut vegetables and chicken
- cheese shredder
- gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut the cheddar cheese
- baking pan or pizza pan
- pizza cutter to cut the pizza
Variety of flavors for your Christmas pizza
Cheese
When making a Christmas pizza, the cheese options can transform your holiday treat into a rich, flavorful masterpiece. Start with the classic mozzarella for its gooey texture and mild flavor. For an extra festive touch, consider adding provolone or gouda for a smoky depth. If you’re in the mood for something a little more decadent, ricotta can add a creamy richness that pairs beautifully with a savory garlic butter base. For those who prefer a tangy bite, goat cheese offers a delightful contrast and complements the sweetness of roasted vegetables. Mix and match to create the perfect combination of cheeses for your Christmas pizza.
Meat
Try classic options like pepperoni or Italian sausage for a traditional touch. For a more unique flavor, consider adding slices of smoked turkey or ham, which echo the holiday season’s traditional flavors. If you’re looking for a gourmet twist, crumbled bacon or pancetta offers a crispy texture that adds a salty crunch. For a special holiday flair, you can even top your Christmas pizza with slices of duck or sausage with a hint of cranberry for an elegant, seasonal vibe. The meat choices for your Christmas pizza are endless and customizable to suit your taste.
Vegetables
Roasted red peppers provide a sweet and smoky depth, while spinach brings a bright green freshness. Mushrooms, particularly portobello or cremini, add an earthy note that pairs well with your other pizza ingredients. For a unique twist, try adding caramelized onions or roasted garlic for an added sweetness. If you prefer a more festive approach, top your pizza with a scattering of fresh rosemary, which not only gives the pizza a holiday feel but also infuses it with a fragrant, herbaceous aroma.
The best tips to make a Christmas pizza
For the perfect Christmas pizza, it’s essential to use high-quality ingredients. Grate your own mozzarella cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese, as the latter contains preservatives that can affect the texture and flavor. Freshly grated mozzarella will give your holiday pizza that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Make sure to allow the dough to rest after kneading. This step is crucial for a fluffy Christmas pizza crust, as it helps the dough relax and rise evenly.
To elevate your Christmas-themed pizza, try stuffing the crust with mozzarella cheese. This adds a delicious, cheesy surprise in every bite, enhancing the overall flavor of your festive pizza.
When adding chicken to your pizza, avoid cooking it beforehand. If you cook the chicken before placing it on the pizza, it can become overcooked. Season the chicken, and place it directly on top of the pizza to bake, ensuring it stays tender and juicy.
For a playful touch, cut the gingerbread man and add it to the top of your Christmas pizza during the last few minutes of baking. This will help the gingerbread man maintain its shape and add a fun holiday twist to your pizza.
If you decide to use mushrooms in your pizza, make sure to add a good amount. Mushrooms shrink significantly as they cook, so extra mushrooms will ensure you have the perfect balance of flavor on your Christmas pizza with vegetables.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors for your holiday pizza toppings. Try different herbs, spices, and fresh ingredients to create a unique Christmas pizza that suits your taste. Whether it’s adding fresh rosemary, garlic, or even a hint of cranberry for a festive zing, the possibilities are endless!
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Pizza
What type of flour is the best for a Christmas pizza
- A combination of bread flour and all purpose flour. Bread flour will help create a chewy and elastic dough and all purpose flour is easier to work with. Making it easier to shape the dough.
How do I know if my pizza is done?
- Look for a golden crust and bubbling cheese. You can also check the bottom of the crust. It should be firm and lightly browned.
Can I freeze pizza dough?
- Yes, after the first rise wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
What toppings work together
- Classic combinations include pepperoni and mozzarella, BBQ chicken, fresh vegetables and goat cheese.. but don’t forget to add the gingerbread man on the middle to make it more festive.
How do I store leftover pizza
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3- 4 days. To reheat, place in a pizza pan in a hot oven until it’s warm.
How can i make the gingerbread man face and body
- To make the face and body we used dark chocolate but there’s other options you can use: dark balsamic vinegar, olive paste, dark chocolate, food coloring ring, reduced soy sauce.. use a pipping bag to draw the face and body.
Process
More recipes
christmas inspired recipes.
RECIPE to make a Christmas pizza
Recipe in cups and grams. You can find the cup measurements in the printable recipe scrolling down at the end.
Ingredients
PIZZA DOUGH
- 125 grams warm water
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 113 grams all purpose flour
- 113 grams bread flour / 00 flour
- 1 tablespoon soft butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
SAUCE
- 4 tablespoons blended tomato
- 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of salt
TOPPINGS
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese
- 75 grams mushrooms
- 2 chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
- Cheddar cheese for the gingerbread man
SEASONINGS FOR CHICKEN
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
Step by step learn how to make a festive Christmas pizza
DOUGH
1)First step, sponge
To create a sponge for your dough, begin by combining warm water with active dry yeast in a bowl. Stir the mixture gently to help the yeast dissolve, allow it to rest for 10 minutes, it should become frothy and bubbly.
2)Second step, dough ingredients
Once your sponge is ready you can add to a mixing bowl, all purpose flour, bread flour, salt and butter (or extra virgin olive oil).
3)Third step, knead the dough
After combining those ingredients, place the dough in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Knead the dough on low speed for 15 minutes.
PROOF
4)Forth step, first proof
Now, cover with plastic wrap the bowl with the dough inside and allow it to proof in a warm environment for about 1h and 30 minutes. This resting period allows the dough to develop its flavour and rise ensuring a delightful final product.
CHICKEN
5)Fifth step, cut and season
For the chicken start by cutting it into bite sized cubes. In a mixing bowl add your chicken, black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, sugar, garlic powder and onion powder. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings. Once well mixed set the seasoned chicken aside to allow the flavours to meld.
INGREDIENTS
6)Sixth step, ingredients
To prepare the sauce, take a bowl and combine blended tomato with oregano, extra virgin olive oil and salt. Mix these ingredients until well incorporated.
Next, shred the mozzarella cheese, and chop the mushrooms into your desired size.
PRE HEAT OVEN
7)Seventh step, pre heat oven
While you preheat the oven you can start making your pizza. Roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness. Once rolled place shredded mozzarella cheese in the corners of the dough then fold these corners over to create a stuffed edge.
Spread the tomato sauce, add mozzarella, mushrooms and chicken on top. Sprinkle some oregano on top for added flavour. Allow it to proof while you wait for the oven to get to the right temperature.
BAKE
8)Eight step, bake
Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 180 C (350 F) for about 15-20 minutes or until it’s fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on the pizza to ensure it doesn’t burn. Add the cut gingerbread man cheddar cheese on the middle a minute before you remove it from the oven so it has time to get warm but not fully melt.
9)Ninth step, gingerbread man
Draw the face and body of the gingerbread man using a piping bag.
Christmas pizza
Ingredients
PIZZA DOUGH
- 125 grams warm water
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 113 grams all purpose flour
- 113 grams bread flour / 00 flour
- 1 tablespoon soft butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
SAUCE
- 4 tablespoons blended tomato
- 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of salt
TOPPINGS
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese
- 75 grams mushrooms
- 2 chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
- Cheddar cheese for the gingerbread man
SEASONINGS FOR CHICKEN
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
Instructions
DOUGH
1)First step, sponge
- To create a sponge for your dough, begin by combining warm water with active dry yeast in a bowl. Stir the mixture gently to help the yeast dissolve, allow it to rest for 10 minutes, it should become frothy and bubbly.
2)Second step, dough ingredients
- Once your sponge is ready you can add to a mixing bowl, all purpose flour, bread flour, salt and butter (or extra virgin olive oil).
KNEAD
3)Third step, knead the dough
- After combining those ingredients, place the dough in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Knead the dough on low speed for 15 minutes.
PROOF
4)Forth step, first proof
- Now, cover with plastic wrap the bowl with the dough inside and allow it to proof in a warm environment for about 1h and 30 minutes. This resting period allows the dough to develop its flavour and rise ensuring a delightful final product.
CHICKEN
5)Fifth step, cut and season
- For the chicken start by cutting it into bite sized cubes. In a mixing bowl add your chicken, black pepper, sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings. Once well mixed set the seasoned chicken aside to allow the flavours to meld.
6)Sixth step, ingredients
- To prepare the sauce, take a bowl and combine blended tomato with oregano, extra virgin olive oil and salt. Mix these ingredients until well incorporated.
- Next, shred the mozzarella cheese, and chop the mushrooms into your desired size.
7)Seventh step, pre heat oven
- While you preheat the oven you can start making your pizza. Roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness. Once rolled place shredded mozzarella cheese in the corners of the dough then fold these corners over to create a stuffed edge.
- Spread the tomato sauce, add mozzarella, mushrooms and chicken on top. Sprinkle some oregano on top for added flavour. Allow it to proof while you wait for the oven to get to the right temperature.
BAKE
8)Eight step, bake
- Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 180 C (350 F) for about 15-20 minutes or until it’s fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on the pizza to ensure it doesn’t burn. Add the cut gingerbread man cheddar cheese on the middle a minute before you remove it from the oven so it has time to get warm but not fully melt.
9)Ninth step, gingerbread man
- Draw the face and body of the gingerbread man using a piping bag.
Nutrition
Archersfood
archersfood
Pizza buenísima y muy fácil de hacer.La recomiendo!!