Kids’ Choice: Chocolate Pizza

When kids have a say in the menu, how many of them are going to suggest broccoli? Not many.  When we had kids’ choice the other night, top of the list was Chocolate Pizza.  The kids at my house love both chocolate and pizza, so it seemed like the perfect choice.

Actually this was a cooking lesson in disguise, and they enjoyed every minute in the kitchen. 

Chocolate Pizza - serves 8 (adapted from "Chocolate on the Brain") 

Chocolate syrup for pizza sauce

Coconut flakes for mozzarella cheese

Crust

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

3 oz unsweetened chocolate

1 1/4  cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup flour 

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Sauce

1 pint ice cream plus 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce

or

1/2 cup icing 

Possible Toppings

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup peanut better chips

1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1 cup sliced strawberries, kiwi or banana

1 cup M & M's

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles

Maraschino cherries

To make the crust:

Place an oven rack in the middle position and begin preheating the oven to

350 degrees.  Cover a 12-inch pizza pan with aluminum foil.  Rub the foil

with butter and set aside.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a small, heavy pot over very low heat,

stirring occasionally,  When the chocolate is almost melted, turn off the

heat and set aside to cool.  The heat of the pot will melt the remaining

chocolate.

Put the sugar, eggs and vanilla in a food processor or small bowl.  Process

or beat with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes on high speed, until pale

yellow and frothy,  Add the chocolate mixture and process or beat until

well-blended.  Add the flour, baking powder and salt and pulse for about 10

seconds, or beat on low speed just until blended,

Pour the batter onto the foil-lined pizza pan and spread evenly with the

back of a spoon.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is firm to the

touch and fully baked.  Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for 3

minutes, Carefully lift the foil and the pizza crust from the pan and let

cool directly on the rack.  It will cool much faster out of the pan.

To make the sauce:

If you are using ice cream, remove it from the freezer to begin softening,

or soften it by microwaving it in its container at low/medium speed for

about 30 seconds.  If you are using icing, make it now,

When the crust is at room temperature, carefully lift the crust and foil off

the rack.  Place the rack on top of the crust and gently turn the crust and rack over together,  Gently pull the foil away from the bottom of the crust, making sure not to crack or break it.  Place a tray face-down,  and holding it firmly, turn the rack, crust and tray over together,  Remove the rack, making sure you do not crack or break the crust.  It is now ready for the sauce and toppings.

To top the crust:

Spread it with a 1/2-inch layer of ice cream and follow with a thin layer

of fudge sauce or a thin layer of icing.  Decorate with as many toppings as

you like or put them in small bowls and let guests select their own.  Do not

add fresh fruit until you are ready to serve.  

If your pizza is topped with ice cream, put it in the freezer for 1 hour to firm up before serving.  If it is topped with icing,you can serve it immediately  or leave it at room temperature for a few hours.  Cut the pizza into 10-12 slices and serve.  Cover and freeze any leftovers.

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