1. Prepare the Pizza Dough

Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm water with the sugar and yeast. Stir gently to combine, then let it sit for about 5 minutes. You should see the yeast foam and bubble as it activates.

Once the yeast is ready, add the olive oil and salt to the yeast mixture. In a large bowl, combine the flour with the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it becomes soft but not too sticky.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. Once kneaded, form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about 10 minutes. The dough should double in size during this time.

2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce

While the dough is resting, prepare the pizza sauce. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic powder and oregano and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using) to the saucepan. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then remove the sauce from the heat. Set aside to cool.

3. Shape the Dough into Hearts

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 4-6 equal portions, depending on how large you want your mini pizzas to be.

Roll each portion of dough into a ball and flatten it into a small circle on a floured surface. To create the heart shape, gently pinch the top of the dough with your fingers and use a rolling pin to shape the dough into a heart.

If you’re not confident in your ability to freehand a heart shape, you can use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the dough after rolling it out. This method works especially well for getting perfect heart shapes every time.

4. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Place a baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven to heat while you prepare the pizzas.

If you have a pizza peel, dust it with a little cornmeal to prevent the dough from sticking. If you don’t have a peel, simply dust a baking sheet with cornmeal or lightly oil it to ensure the pizzas won’t stick during baking.

5. Assemble the Mini Heart-Shaped Pizzas

Once the dough is shaped, transfer each piece to the prepared baking sheet or pizza peel. Brush each mini pizza with a little olive oil for added crispness and flavor.

Spread a thin layer of the homemade pizza sauce over each heart-shaped dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.

Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. This is your base, but feel free to be as creative as you like with additional toppings. You can add pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or whatever else you prefer. Be sure not to overload the pizzas with toppings, as it could affect the cooking time and result in soggy pizza.

6. Bake the Mini Pizzas

Carefully slide the prepared pizzas onto the hot baking sheet or pizza stone. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the dough, so keep an eye on the pizzas towards the end of the cooking time.

If you prefer a crispier crust, you can bake the pizzas for an extra minute or two, but be careful not to burn the edges.

7. Garnish and Serve

Once the mini pizzas are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. You can garnish them with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Serve the mini heart-shaped pizzas warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara, ranch, or garlic butter.