[h4]This recipe is delicious and is always a hit when I bring to parties… MUST TRY![/h4]
INGREDIENTS
- [*] MONKEY BREAD
-
- 2 (1-pound) balls pizza dough
- 4 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (3/4 cup)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 8 (4 1/2-inch) sticks mozzarella string cheese
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[*] TOMATO SAUCE - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1. FOR THE MONKEY BREAD: Line baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle with flour. Roll each dough ball into 10 by 6-inch rectangle on lightly floured counter, then transfer to prepared sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 minutes.
2. Microwave pepperoni in bowl until fat is rendered, 60 to 90 seconds, stirring halfway through microwaving. Using tongs, transfer pepperoni to paper towel–lined plate, reserving pepperoni oil in bowl (you should have about 1 tablespoon). Pat pepperoni dry with paper towels. Stir olive oil into pepperoni oil. Brush 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan with 2 teaspoons oil mixture. Combine Parmesan and oregano in separate bowl.
3. Working with 1 dough rectangle at a time, return to lightly floured counter and roll into 18 by 9-inch rectangle with long edge parallel to counter edge, stretching corners as needed to make neat rectangle. Starting 2 inches from long edge of dough nearest you, shingle half of pepperoni parallel to long edge. Lay 4 mozzarella sticks end to end on top of pepperoni. Sprinkle half of Parmesan mixture alongside mozzarella. Fold bottom 2-inch section of dough over filling and roll tightly toward opposite edge. Pinch seam and ends to seal. Repeat with remaining dough rectangle, remaining pepperoni, remaining 4 mozzarella sticks, and remaining Parmesan mixture.
4. Cut each log in half and pinch open ends to seal. Cut each log in half again, pinching open ends to seal. Cut each log into thirds, pinching open ends closed as you go. Place single layer of stuffed dough balls (about 6) 1/2 inch apart in prepared pan and brush tops and sides with one-fourth of oil mixture. Layer remaining dough balls in pan, brushing tops and sides with remaining oil mixture as you go. Cover pan with plastic and let rise at room temperature until slightly puffed, about 30 minutes. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees.
5. FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE: Meanwhile, heat oil in small saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and cook until beginning to brown, about 90 seconds. Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside.
6. Bake until well browned, about 40 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Place serving platter on top of pan and invert. Let cool 10 minutes longer. Reheat sauce and transfer to serving bowl. Serve monkey bread with sauce.
STEP BY STEP: CONSTRUCTING PIZZA MONKEY BREAD
1. ROLL OUT DOUGH AND FILL: Roll out each ball of pizza dough into a rectangle. Arrange pepperoni slices, mozzarella sticks, and seasoned Parmesan on dough.
2. ROLL UP AND SEAL: Roll each rectangle into a log and pinch to seal the seam and ends.
3. DIVIDE LOGS INTO PIECES: Cut each into quarters, and quarters into thirds, for a total of 12 pieces. Seal open ends as you go.
4. FILL BUNDT PAN: Place the balls in a Bundt pan and brush them with pepperoni oil for extra flavor and to make it easier to pull apart the baked bread.
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