April Fools Calzone Donut

For the past few years, I have made a pizza cake on April Fools Day (it is expected by the teens now).  Though I liked the recipe, I always felt that it could be better.  The seams always split and the cheese “frosting” just didn’t look convincing enough.

This year,I made my favorite pizza dough recipe, topped it and rolled it jelly roll style.  After baking, I added a garlicky cheese sauce to the top and it was perfect!  As I looked at my creation, I realized it looked much more like a giant donut than a bundt cake, so that's what I decided to call it!  Both fun and delicious!

Sunday Funday

April Fools Day

• April Fools Calzone Donut by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• April Fools' Day Chicken Nuggets & French Fries by Sneha's Recipe
• Big Ice Cream Taco by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Grogu's Frog Egg Dessert by Palatable Pastime
• Hot Beef Sundae by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• My Ideal Birthday "Cake" by Food Lust People Love
• Potted Plant Cremeux by Culinary Cam

April Fools Calzone Donut

Dough

2 cups flour, divided

2 ¼ tsp instant/quick rise/pizza yeast (1 envelope)

1 tsp sugar

¾ tsp salt

2/3 cup warm water (120 degrees F)

3 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

8 oz tomato sauce

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried marjoram

½ tsp garlic powder

Filling

2 cups shredded mozzarella

36 pepperoni (approximate)

¼ cup cooked sausage

2 tablespoons cooked, crumbed bacon

Cheese Sauce

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon all purpose flour

½ cup milk

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and grease a bundt pan with cooking spray.

Mix together all of the sauce ingredients, set aside.

Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add the water and oil and mix on low until combined.

Slowly add in the remaining flour until the dough forms a ball.  Switch to the dough hook, continuing to mix on low, for 4 minutes.  Keep adding flour, bit by bit until the dough is no longer sticky (slightly tacky is ok).

Roll the dough into a long oval shape.  Add half the sauce and fillings.  Roll the dough jelly roll style into a large tube and pinch edges to seal.  Place the dough into the prepared bundt pan.  Cover with a towel, and set aside for 10 minutes to rest.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is browned.

While the calzone bakes, make the cheese sauce.  Heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour and garlic and cook for a minute.  Slowly whisk in the milk, followed by the cheese until thick and melted.

Once the calzone is done, invert it onto a cake stand.  Top with cheese sauce (“frosting”) and sprinkle with parsley.  Cut and serve with remaining sauce.