Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes

Deep dish pizza has long been a beloved staple of American cuisine, especially in Chicago, where its thick crust and generous layers of toppings have made it a culinary icon. The combination of soft, buttery crust, savory sauce, and gooey cheese makes deep dish pizza a favorite for pizza lovers everywhere. However, as food trends evolve, so do the ways we enjoy our favorite dishes. Enter the deep dish pizza cupcake—a whimsical and portable twist on a classic favorite that is perfect for gatherings, parties, or even weeknight dinners.

Discover a fun twist on classic deep dish pizza with these delectable deep dish pizza cupcakes! Perfect for parties, game days, or family meals, these mini delights feature a buttery cupcake base filled with gooey cheese, savory toppings, and a rich marinara sauce. Easy to customize, they're a hit with both kids and adults alike. Get the recipe now and impress your guests with these unique bites! #DeepDishPizzaCupcakes #Foodie #CookingFun #MiniPizzas #PartyFood #HomemadeDelight

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Ingredients

For the Cupcake Base:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup olive oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Filling:

1 cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce)

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup diced pepperoni (or preferred toppings)

1/2 cup diced bell peppers (optional)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Topping:

Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Extra marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard muffin tin generously with cooking spray or oil.

Make the Batter:

- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

- In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, olive oil, and eggs until well combined.

- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined; do not overmix.

Fill the Muffin Tin:

- Spoon a small amount of the batter (about a tablespoon) into the bottom of each muffin cup to form a base.

- Add a spoonful of marinara sauce into each cup, then sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese, followed by diced pepperoni and bell peppers if using. Repeat this layering until you reach the top of the muffin cups, finishing with a final layer of batter to seal it in.

Bake:

- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (it may have a bit of cheese on it).

Cool and Serve:

- Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool slightly.

- Once cooled, garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings:

20 minutes | 45 minutes | Makes 12 cupcakes