Everyone loves chocolate and everyone loves pizza, so what could be better than these baci pizzas? The delicious chocolate-hazelnut flavors combined with strawberries make the perfect dessert for Valentine's Day.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
Toast the hazelnuts in a 325ºF (160ºC) for 10 to 15 minutes, until they're golden brown and the skins are peeling away. Remove from the oven. When they're cool enough to handle, rub the hazelnuts in a tea towel (or with your hands) to remove as much of the skins as possible.
Melt the Perugina chocolate in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it for 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring between each heating. Let cool completely.
In a food processor, grind the hazelnuts until they form a paste. Add the oil, sugar, and vanilla, and salt and continue processing until the mixture is as smooth as possible.
Add the melted chocolate and blend well.
Scrape your chocolate-hazelnut spread into a bowl and let it cool to room temperature. The spread will keep on the counter for up to 2 weeks (if you don't eat it all beforehand).
Take 1 cup of the chocolate hazelnut spread and mix it in a medium bowl with 1 cup of the mascarpone. Set this aside while you form your mini pizzas.
Heat your oven to 500°F.
Divide the dough into 4-6 small balls. Working with one ball at a time, stretch the dough into a round shape about 4-5" inches in diameter and no more than ½" thick.
Repeat with all the dough, placing each round onto a cookie sheet.
Now, smear the tops of the dough with the fresh chocolate hazelnut spread. Feel free to use as much as you like, but don't overload the little guys.
If you need more, you can mix more of the chocolate hazelnut mixture with the remaining mascarpone.
To shape the pizzas into hearts, use a butter knife to pull the middle of the top side toward the center of the dough round. Then, with your fingers, pull the middle part of the bottom down to form the "point" of the heart.
Bake for about 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Sprinkle the finished pies with crumbled Baci candy, confectioners sugar and strawberries (if desired). Serve immediately!
Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
Toast the hazelnuts in a 325ºF (160ºC) for 10 to 15 minutes, until they're golden brown and the skins are peeling away. Remove from the oven. When they're cool enough to handle, rub the hazelnuts in a tea towel (or with your hands) to remove as much of the skins as possible.
Melt the Perugina chocolate in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it for 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring between each heating. Let cool completely.
In a food processor, grind the hazelnuts until they form a paste. Add the oil, sugar, and vanilla, and salt and continue processing until the mixture is as smooth as possible.
Add the melted chocolate and blend well.
Scrape your chocolate-hazelnut spread into a bowl and let it cool to room temperature. The spread will keep on the counter for up to 2 weeks (if you don't eat it all beforehand).
Take 1 cup of the chocolate hazelnut spread and mix it in a medium bowl with 1 cup of the mascarpone. Set this aside while you form your mini pizzas.
Heat your oven to 500°F.
Divide the dough into 4-6 small balls. Working with one ball at a time, stretch the dough into a round shape about 4-5" inches in diameter and no more than ½" thick.
Repeat with all the dough, placing each round onto a cookie sheet.
Now, smear the tops of the dough with the fresh chocolate hazelnut spread. Feel free to use as much as you like, but don't overload the little guys.
If you need more, you can mix more of the chocolate hazelnut mixture with the remaining mascarpone.
To shape the pizzas into hearts, use a butter knife to pull the middle of the top side toward the center of the dough round. Then, with your fingers, pull the middle part of the bottom down to form the "point" of the heart.
Bake for about 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Sprinkle the finished pies with crumbled Baci candy, confectioners sugar and strawberries (if desired). Serve immediately!