Viral Braided Crown Pizza with Pepperoni and Marinara Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before beginning, ensure your oven is preheated to 420°F (215°C) to allow for a proper rise. Have all ingredients measured and chopped, and your parchment paper ready on a flat workspace.

If using refrigerated dough, take it out of the package early so it becomes pliable. Clear enough counter space to roll out the dough into a full circle, and have your small bowl ready to serve as the center guide for the star-burst cuts.

Instructions

Dough Shaping

1. 1Forming the Crown Base
   Roll out the pizza dough into a large circle on a sheet of parchment paper. Place a small bowl in the center to create an indentation. Using a pizza cutter, cut eight star-burst slits radiating outward from the edge of the bowl to the outer edge of the dough circle.
   Look for Dough should be rolled to a uniform thickness, and cuts should be precise and equal in length to ensure the crown symmetry.
   Tip If the dough shrinks back while rolling, let it rest for five minutes to allow the gluten to relax before continuing.

The dough should be rolled into a smooth, even circle. The cuts must be distinct and aligned properly around the center bowl to ensure the crown segments are of equal size, which is critical for the final wreath shape.

Filling and Folding

2. 2Layering and Shaping
   Spread a ring of garlic tomato marinara around the outer border of the dough. Layer the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, beef pepperoni, and bell peppers over the sauce. Fold the eight star points over the filling and pinch the ends securely to the outer rim to create a circular crown wreath shape.
   Look for The points must be pinched firmly to the outer edge so the cheese does not leak out during the baking process.
   Tip Use a little water on your fingertips if the dough edges are not sticking together properly.

The marinara, cheese, and pepperoni should form a uniform ring. After folding the star points, the wreath should look secure with no visible gaps where the filling might escape. The points should be firmly attached to the outer edge.

Baking the Crown

3. 3Baking to Perfection
   Brush the braided dough surface with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Place the pizza into an oven preheated to 420°F (215°C) and bake for 18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven, place a bowl of warm marinara in the center, and serve immediately.
   Look for The crust should be a deep golden brown, and the cheese should be melted and slightly blistered in spots.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (ground meat)
   Tip Ensure the center bowl is heat-safe before placing it in the middle of the hot pizza.

The pizza is finished when the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling throughout the braided sections. The sesame seeds should be lightly toasted, adding a nutty aroma and a pleasant crunch to the final presentation of the dish.

Common mistakes

A common mistake is cutting the star-burst slits too far toward the center, which leaves too little dough to hold the toppings, causing the crown to collapse during baking.

Another error is failing to pinch the dough points tightly enough to the outer rim; if the seal is weak, the melted cheese will leak out onto the pan.

Finally, overcrowding the toppings can make the dough difficult to fold, so keep the mozzarella and pepperoni to a moderate, even layer.

How to tell it’s done

The pizza is done when the braided crust is a deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. The cheese should be fully melted, bubbly, and slightly browned on top. The beef pepperoni should be crisp around the edges.

When checked with an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature of the cheese and meat filling should reach at least 160°F (71°C) to ensure the ingredients are heated through and safe for consumption.

• Ground meat: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part