At first glance, the charcoal pizza dough may resemble an accidental culinary experiment gone awry, but rest assured that this eerie endeavour isn’t a case of burnt offerings to the pizza gods. Instead, the dark hue is achieved through the strategic use of charcoal powder, imbuing the crust with an air of mystery and intrigue. For those seeking innovative Halloween party ideas or a memorable dinner menu for adults and kids alike, this black olive spider pizza is sure to cast a spell of delight.
Charcoal Pizza Dough Ingredients
To conjure up a spellbinding spider Halloween pizza with a black charcoal crust, you’ll need just 7 essential ingredients: flour, water, yeast, oil, salt, sugar, and activated charcoal powder. The magic begins when you mix these dry and wet ingredients together. After baking the crust, the real fun starts – it’s time to get creative with your decorations! Start by spreading a layer of tomato sauce across the surface, followed by shredded cheese and sliced rounds of cheese. Add an eerie touch with ‘olive spiders’ – simply place one black olive half in the center of a round of cheese, then cut the other half into legs and press them onto their new home. For an added kick, feel free to sprinkle some pepperoni across the pizza as well.
What is Activated Charcoal Powder?
You may be unfamiliar with using activated charcoal in cooking, but it’s an excellent choice for preparing a spider-themed Halloween pizza with a black charcoal crust. This finely ground powder has no discernible smell or flavor, making it a versatile ingredient to work with.
One of the unique properties of activated charcoal is its ability to add a striking visual element to any dish. Its popularity in recent years has led to its incorporation into various recipes, including black ice cream, charcoal pizza dough, and even black lattes.
Interestingly, black pizza has been a staple in certain international cuisines for some time now. You may have seen it featured on menus in Indonesia, Japan, the UK, and Canada. However, despite its popularity elsewhere, activated charcoal-cooked pizzas remain relatively unknown in the US.
When shopping for activated charcoal to use in your cooking, be sure to purchase food-grade charcoal specifically designed for culinary purposes. Avoid using charcoal briquettes intended for grilling, as they may not meet the necessary safety standards.
How to Make Charcoal Pizza Dough Like a Pro
To begin crafting this unique pizza with a twist of black olive spiders, start by preparing the dough. A stand mixer is a great tool for streamlining this process. Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water in the bowl, allowing the mixture to ‘bloom’ for a few minutes before proceeding. Once it appears foamy, stir in flour, olive oil, charcoal powder, and salt. If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding more oil or flour. Next, knead the dough using either your hands or the mixer with a dough hook attachment. Allow the mixture to rise for about an hour, placing it in a warm location such as on top of the refrigerator or countertop. Once risen, shape the dough into a circle using your hands, accepting that imperfections are part of its charm. Finally, add your preferred toppings and cook this spider-themed pizza with black charcoal crust on a pizza stone, pan, or baking sheet. Cooking time will depend on your oven’s temperature, but expect it to take around 15 minutes to achieve a cooked-through crust and hot, melted cheese.
Spider Halloween Pizza with Black Charcoal Crust Variations
Shake things up at your Halloween dinner table by experimenting with creative twists on traditional dishes. For instance, swap out black olives for green ones or use green instead to give your meal a pop of colour. Consider replacing mozzarella cheese with orange-coloured cheddar underneath your olive ‘spiders’ – the bold contrast between orange and black is purrfectly Halloween-esque.
Add some heat to your spooky spread by incorporating jalapeño slices or a pinch of red chilli flakes into the mix. You can also serve the flakes on the side for added spice. For an extra touch of whimsy, try crafting ‘ghosts’ from melted cheese and adorning them with black olive eyes and mouths. Alternatively, shape your crust into a face and add ingredients to create spooky visages.
If you’re enjoying this pizza with its creepy crawly charm, you might also appreciate other Halloween-themed treats like Spooky Monster Eye Pretzels, Halloween Buffalo Chicken Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers or hauntingly delicious Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies.
Halloween Pizza with Black Dough Recipe
Spider Halloween Pizza with Black Dough
While the exterior of this pizza may resemble a charred offering, rest assured that the spider-inspired masterpiece within is a treat for both adults and kids. The secret to its inky hue lies not in burnt offerings, but rather a clever use of charcoal powder. If you’re searching for a show-stopping addition to your Halloween menu or a creative spin on traditional pizza night, look no further than this eerie yet edible delight.
Ingredients 1x2x3x
To create the dough, you’ll need to combine 1 3/4 cups of flour with 3/4 cup of warm water. The mixture will also require 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast, 2 tablespoons of food-grade activated charcoal powder, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and a pinch each of salt and sugar.
Instructions
In a stand mixer’s bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast, stirring gently to create an environment conducive to yeast fermentation. Allow this mixture to bloom for 5-8 minutes, during which time the yeast will activate, producing a foamy texture. Once the yeast has fully bloomed, add the remaining ingredients and mix until just combined, ensuring no visible white flour remains. If the dough appears excessively wet, introduce additional flour; conversely, if it seems too dry, incorporate a small amount of olive oil. Proceed to knead the dough for approximately 2 minutes, either by hand or with the stand mixer. Then, using your hands, shape the dough into a ball and lightly grease the bowl. Return the dough to the greased bowl, cover with a light towel, and permit it to rise for about an hour, during which time it should double in size. Preheat your oven to 475°F. When the dough is ready, transfer it to a greased surface, shape into a large circle, and place onto your chosen baking pan (cookie sheet, pizza pan, or pizza stone). Top with your preferred ingredients, such as marinara sauce, pepperoni, black olives, mozzarella, and provolone. Bake at 475°F for approximately 15 minutes or until the crust is fully cooked and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven, let sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting.
Notes
Charcoal is a breeze to work with, making it easy to incorporate into your recipe. For reference, I used [insert link] for the charcoal. Since the charcoal has no discernible flavor, the crust takes on a delightful yeasty texture that’s hard to resist. When combining the charcoal powder with other ingredients, be sure to mix it in slowly as it can be quite fine. If you’re looking to add some spooky flair to your pizza this Halloween, consider topping it off with black olive spiders. To create these creepy critters, simply slice a black olive lengthwise and use one half for the body, then slice the other half into legs. Alternatively, you could also try using a mozzarella-provolone cheese blend for an added layer of flavor and texture. This combination provides a great balance of creaminess and bite.
Nutrition
The nutritional profile of this unique pizza is just as fascinating as its spider-like appearance. With a breakdown of 275 kilocalories per serving, it’s a satisfying treat that won’t blow your diet. The carbohydrate content comes in at 44 grams, while protein and fat levels are relatively modest at 6 grams and 8 grams, respectively. Saturated fats make up just 1 gram of the total fat intake, with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats contributing slightly more. In terms of essential minerals, this pizza provides a decent amount of sodium (482 milligrams) and potassium (76 milligrams), along with smaller amounts of fiber (2 grams) and sugar (1 gram). Vitamin C enthusiasts will be pleased to see 1 milligram per serving, while calcium and iron levels come in at 10 milligrams and 3 milligrams, respectively. If you’re as enthralled by this spider Halloween pizza with black charcoal crust as I am, feel free to rate and comment below! Meanwhile, if you’re seeking more spooky culinary inspiration, consider checking out our recipes for Easy Candy Apples, Easy DIY Caramel Apples, or Colourful No-Churn Halloween Ice Cream.
