Introduction: How to Make a Spherical Pizza.
Are you sick of boring old 2-dimensional pizzas? I will show you step-by-step how I made my experimental pizza sphere. Be aware that this is an experiment that is still in development, and is not perfect. This is my first attempt, and I've already learned a few things that could be done differently. Where applicable, I'll point out any suggestions or refinements I've come up with that differ from the original recipe.
Also, it should be noted that there will be some sagging and collapsing due to gravity. I'm still working to minimize this, but unless you live in a zero gravity environment it is nearly impossible to make a perfect sphere.
Also, it should be noted that there will be some sagging and collapsing due to gravity. I'm still working to minimize this, but unless you live in a zero gravity environment it is nearly impossible to make a perfect sphere.
Step 1: What You'll Need:
For this project, you will need:
2 Semi-spherical stainless steel bowls, about 10" diameter
2 tubes of pizza dough (if you have a local pizza place that will sell you a bag of uncooked dough, that would be even better)
Pizza sauce
12 oz to 1 lb of shredded mozzarella cheese
2 pre-made pizza crusts, slightly wider than the bowls. *
Your favorite pizza toppings (I just used pepperoni)
2 Semi-spherical stainless steel bowls, about 10" diameter
2 tubes of pizza dough (if you have a local pizza place that will sell you a bag of uncooked dough, that would be even better)
Pizza sauce
12 oz to 1 lb of shredded mozzarella cheese
2 pre-made pizza crusts, slightly wider than the bowls. *
Your favorite pizza toppings (I just used pepperoni)
- These form the "shell" of the sphere. I'm not entirely sure if they're necessary, my next attempt will leave these out.
Step 2: Make the Outer Shell
This step is optional. If you don't want a thick outer shell to your pizza sphere, skip to the next step.
Line the bowls with the pre-made pizza crusts. I've found that the easiest way to do this is to cut out four small wedges from the crust, as shown in the picture.
Line the bowls with the pre-made pizza crusts. I've found that the easiest way to do this is to cut out four small wedges from the crust, as shown in the picture.
Step 3: Make the Center
Open the first tube of pizza dough and roll it out on the counter. You may want to put some flour down to keep it from sticking. Cover the dough with alternating layers of cheese, sauce, and whatever toppings you're using. You want a lot of cheese in between everything so that it will melt and hold everything together. When you're done, fold the corners in, and roll the whole thing up into a ball. Put the ball in the first bowl, then repeat this step for the other half. If you decided not to use the outer crusts, spray the bowl with non-stick cooking spray, then press the ball into the bowl to form it into a half-sphere.
You should now have two half-spherical pizzas, ready for cooking.
You should now have two half-spherical pizzas, ready for cooking.
Step 4: Cook It
Put the two bowls in the oven, preheated to 300 degrees. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
There is a lot of room for variation in the cooking time and temperature. If you didn't use the outer crust, it may take less time to cook.
There is a lot of room for variation in the cooking time and temperature. If you didn't use the outer crust, it may take less time to cook.
Step 5: Combine the Halves
Carefully remove the two halves from the oven. Cover the bottom half with cheese. (I'm not sure if that's necessary--my theory was that the cheese would help fuse the two halves together)
Now, using oven mitts or potholders, carefully flip the top half over onto the bottom half. Remove the bowl from the top half. This is where it gets tricky. It would probably be easier to just eat the pizza sphere out of the bowl, since removing it from the bowl will cause it to collapse under its own weight.
Now, using oven mitts or potholders, carefully flip the top half over onto the bottom half. Remove the bowl from the top half. This is where it gets tricky. It would probably be easier to just eat the pizza sphere out of the bowl, since removing it from the bowl will cause it to collapse under its own weight.
Step 6: Final Thoughts
As you can see, my pizza sphere collapsed as soon as I took it out of the bowl.
Interestingly, sections of the outer crust look and taste just like curved slices of regular pizza.
Actually eating the pizza will be an interesting challenge.
Possible improvements:
Leave out the outer crust. It makes it harder to cut, and adds more weight to the top.
Try different kinds of dough for the center. I was hoping the dough would rise a bit more, which would help it keep its shape better.
If you do make one of these, please comment and let me know how yours turned out. I'd love to hear any suggestions for changes or improvements.
Interestingly, sections of the outer crust look and taste just like curved slices of regular pizza.
Actually eating the pizza will be an interesting challenge.
Possible improvements:
Leave out the outer crust. It makes it harder to cut, and adds more weight to the top.
Try different kinds of dough for the center. I was hoping the dough would rise a bit more, which would help it keep its shape better.
If you do make one of these, please comment and let me know how yours turned out. I'd love to hear any suggestions for changes or improvements.