What dough works best for these maple leaf shapes?

A standard pizza dough, either store-bought or homemade, rolled to about 1/4 inch thickness works best for clean, easy cutting and baking.

How can I achieve the vibrant autumn colors on top?

Using thinly sliced red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, along with red onion and baby spinach, creates a naturally colorful foliage effect.

Swapping mozzarella and cheddar with smoked gouda or goat cheese adds depth and complements the sweet maple tones.

Yes, you can prepare and shape the dough and toppings ahead, then bake just before serving to retain freshness and crispness.

Brushing olive oil helps the edges brown nicely, creating a golden, crisp crust with added flavor.

Miniature pizzas shaped like maple leaves, topped with vibrant autumn-hued vegetables and a sweet touch of maple, perfect for festive gatherings.

This recipe brings back fond memories of cozy fall evenings spent cooking with family and enjoying seasonal flavors together.

Dough: 1 pound (450 g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), All-purpose flour for dusting
Sauce: 1/3 cup (80 ml) tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1 clove garlic minced, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings: 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 small red bell pepper thinly sliced, 1/2 small yellow bell pepper thinly sliced, 1/2 small orange bell pepper thinly sliced, 1/4 small red onion thinly sliced, 1/4 cup (30 g) baby spinach chopped, 2 tablespoons corn kernels optional, Olive oil for brushing

Preheat Oven:: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Shape Dough:: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Using a maple leaf-shaped cookie cutter (about 4 inches/10 cm wide), cut out 8 shapes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
Make Sauce:: In a small bowl, mix the tomato sauce, maple syrup, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Assemble Pizzas:: Spoon a thin layer of the sauce onto each dough leaf. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar over the sauce. Arrange the bell peppers, onion, spinach, and corn on top to create a colorful foliage effect. Lightly brush the edges of the dough with olive oil.
Bake:: Bake for 13 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden.
Cool & Serve:: Let cool slightly before serving.

Making these mini pizzas always brings my family together for fun and delicious fall celebrations.

Serve these mini pizzas with a fresh arugula salad and a glass of crisp apple cider for a perfect fall appetizer spread.

Try swapping cheddar for smoked gouda or goat cheese, and add mushrooms or roasted butternut squash for extra autumn flair.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven to crisp up the crust.

Enjoy these festive mini pizzas as a charming way to celebrate the flavors of fall at any gathering.

→ What dough works best for these maple leaf shapes?: A standard pizza dough, either store-bought or homemade, rolled to about 1/4 inch thickness works best for clean, easy cutting and baking.
→ How can I achieve the vibrant autumn colors on top?: Using thinly sliced red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, along with red onion and baby spinach, creates a naturally colorful foliage effect.
→ Is there an alternative cheese blend that pairs well?: Swapping mozzarella and cheddar with smoked gouda or goat cheese adds depth and complements the sweet maple tones.
→ Can these be prepared ahead of time?: Yes, you can prepare and shape the dough and toppings ahead, then bake just before serving to retain freshness and crispness.
→ What is the purpose of brushing olive oil on the edges?: Brushing olive oil helps the edges brown nicely, creating a golden, crisp crust with added flavor.