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Blessings Overflowing

Faith~Family~Creativity

January 27, 2015 By Jackie Leave a Comment

Party Food: DIY Personal Pizza

I love planning for and hosting parties. I don’t do it very often but, when I do, it is always fun. So, when two of my oldest and dearest friends planned to visit over Christmas, I went into full-on planning mode.

I try to do a different theme every year when they visit. One year it was a taco bar and another year we had a variety of soups. This year I decided that homemade pizza would be something we would all enjoy.

While I could have made several large pizzas and hoped that people would like the toppings I chose to put on them, I opted for something a little different. We each made our own personal pizza.

Party Food DIY Personal Pizza

This idea turned out to be a big hit. Who knew forcing allowing people to make their own food could be so much fun?

If you want to know how you can host a DIY pizza party like I did, read on for all of the details.

DIY Personal Pizza 1

The first thing I did was to make three batches of my pizza dough recipe (printable recipe below). I had been so busy that I waited until the day before to make the crusts, but I could have easily made them a month in advance and frozen them.

Side note: I have learned the hard way to only mix up one batch at a time in my KitchenAid Mixer (affiliate link). Let’s just say it wasn’t a good thing. Now that I have the professional model I still only mix one batch of dough at a time.

Anyway…

DIY Personal Pizza 2

After mixing up the dough I put each batch into a bowl and coated it with a little drizzle of olive oil. I used some plastic wrap over the top, but I have used towels before, too.

DIY Personal Pizza 3

You can tell by the clock on my oven that I let the dough rise for 1 1/2 hours. If it had been a warmer day it wouldn’t have taken as long.

DIY Personal Pizza 4

Joseph helped me roll out the dough. We placed a small handful of dough (I know, super scientific, right?) between two pieces of plastic wrap so we didn’t have to use more flour which could make the dough more stiff.

DIY Personal Pizza 5

We placed the personal sized pizza crusts onto parchment paper lined baking sheets. I recommend using parchment paper (affiliate link) to prevent the crusts from sticking. I reuse it several times before throwing it away.

Janna and Julia used forks to poke holes in the crusts before baking. This step helps prevent air bubbles in the crust.

We also made a bunch of breadsticks but I neglected to get a picture of them. Probably because my hands were too doughy. 🙂

DIY Personal Pizza 6

I baked each crust for 10 minutes (400 degrees) and then allowed them to cool before placing them in freezer bags with waxed paper between them.

At this point I put them in the refrigerator because we were going to eat them the next day. If you make them well in advance then you can freeze them until you are ready. (I have even frozen pizzas with toppings on them. Click here to find out more.)

I did this two weeks ago when we had pizza one night. I made double the amount of crusts and breadsticks we would need and then froze half for later.

Something else to do in advance is to get all of the toppings ready.

DIY Personal Pizza 7Topping Ideas

  • Pizza Sauce
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Chopped Onions
  • Sliced Black Olives
  • Sliced Mushrooms
  • Chopped Green Peppers
  • Sausage
  • Bacon
  • Pepperoni

I am sure there are many more toppings than this that people like on their pizzas, but the list above was enough for our crowd.

DIY Personal Pizza 8

When we were ready to eat everyone took a pizza crust (We left them on the waxed paper for this step, but not for baking, to avoid any major messes.) and added sauce and whatever toppings they chose.

DIY Personal Pizza 9

We baked the pizzas on parchment paper lined baking sheets for 15+ minutes in a 400 degree oven and then we were ready to eat.

I don’t think anyone topped their pizzas the same way.

DIY Personal Pizza 10

This one was a sausage, pepperoni, and bacon pizza that James made.

DIY Personal Pizza 11

My friend who is a vegetarian made this pizza with onions, mushrooms, peppers, and black olives.

DIY Personal Pizza 12

This was my pizza that I topped with sausage, pepperoni, onions, green peppers, and dairy-free cheese (affiliate link). I am thankful someone come up with a soy-free, dairy-free cheese. 

Don’t you just love how funny some of the pizza shapes turned out? I loved that my kids helped me because each crust was unique.

Here’s the crust recipe so you can make your own personal pizzas, or regular sized pizzas if you prefer.

Pizza Dough
 
Save Print
Author: Jackie @ Blessings Overflowing
Ingredients
  • 2 Cups Very Warm Water
  • 1 Tbsp. Yeast
  • 1 Tbsp. Sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • 4 ½ – 5 Cups Flour
  • 1 tsp. Salt
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, combine the water, yeast, sugar and olive oil and let stand until bubbles form on top.
  2. In the bowl of a mixer, combine 2 cups of flour, salt and the wet ingredients together.
  3. Gradually, add the remaining flour.
  4. Mix the dough until it forms a ball in the mixer.
  5. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and place in a large bowl covered with a towel or plastic wrap.
  6. Allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size.
  7. Take sections of the dough and roll out between two sheets of plastic wrap.
  8. Poke holes in each crust.
  9. Bake the crusts for 10 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
  10. Add sauce and toppings.
  11. Bake an additional 15+ minutes or until the cheese has melted on top.
Notes
I use unbleached flour or whole wheat flour when making this recipe. If you use all whole wheat flour add 1 Tbsp. of white vinegar when mixing the dough.

You can roll the crusts on a floured surface instead of using two pieces of plastic wrap. However, the dough might get too stiff if you use too much flour.

The crusts can be frozen after baking for the first 10 minutes (cool first) for use at a later date.

I recommend baking the dough on a parchment lined baking sheet or a pizza stone to prevent sticking.

I use the dough hook attachment of my mixer and let it knead the dough for no less than 5 minutes.
3.2.2925

While our pizza party was fun, the food, decor, etc. weren’t the most important part. Spending time with friends and family was the ultimate goal, not that I would have a post that was “pin-worthy”. (However, if you would like to share this post on Pinterest that would be awesome.) 

Sometimes we forget this fact when we see elaborate party ideas shared on Pinterest. If gorgeous party decorations and elaborate meals are in your budget and you enjoy that sort of thing then by all means go for it.

I just want to let the average person know that it doesn’t take a lot of money to make your guests feel special. (Maybe that should be an entirely different post…)

If you would like another fun idea for party food check out this post I wrote about an anniversary party we hosted. Party Food: Baked Potato Bar

What is your favorite pizza topping? Did it make my list?

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Party Food

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jackiesblessings

I have mixed emotions when I reflect on all that h I have mixed emotions when I reflect on all that has happened in 2020. There have been so many negatives for so many people. I can’t say it has all been positive for me either. However, there are some things that have happened in 2020 for which I am so grateful. 
.
The main thing I am grateful for is the extra time I was able to spend with my kids. We had so much fun during quarantine and this summer. I know this wasn’t the case for everyone, but I do not regret the days when we had nothing planned and could just have fun together. Whether it was walking in the woods, playing games, watching a movie together, or even doing chores, I never once heard an “I’m bored.” 🙂 
.
In addition to the gift of more time together, I am also grateful for all of the milestones we have celebrated this year. In June, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary, and then we had four milestone birthdays. Julia turned 21, James turned 18, Joshua turned 16, and Joseph turned 13. (Janna felt left out, so we told her that her birthday was special because it was her last birthday in single digits.) Also, today marks 25 years that JT and I have been married. 
.
While I won’t be sorry to see 2020 go, and I hope
and pray 2021 is better for so many people who are hurting right now, I don’t ever want to forget the good times we had this year. 
.
P.S. I took all of these pictures over fall break.
The girls and I recorded our parts for our virtual The girls and I recorded our parts for our virtual church service yesterday, and I couldn’t resist getting a picture with them in front of this beautiful Christmas tree. ❤️
James has been playing school basketball since he James has been playing school basketball since he was in the fourth grade. Tonight he and his fellow Seniors  were recognized at their game, and I just can’t believe James is this old. 
.
Normally, Senior Night is the last game of the season. However,  because everything in the world seems so uncertain right now, we wanted to make sure the boys got a chance to be recognized. We wanted something “normal” for them. I am thankful James and his teammates not only got recognized but also won their game. 
.
P.S. We had our masks on at all times other than when we took pictures.
We have another teenager in the house! Joseph is t We have another teenager in the house! Joseph is turning 13 today, and it just doesn’t seem possible. The beautiful baby boy who was placed in my arms on a cold and foggy day in December is still my “little” guy. However, after looking at this picture of the two of us, I don’t think he will be shorter than me for long. Joseph is still my shy guy, but he is also sweet, loving, kind, and just an all around good kid. We also lovingly refer to him as the cat whisperer because the kittens and cats follow him around like puppies. 🙂 It has been so much fun to have Joseph at school with me this year now that he is in junior high, and I am so thankful that I get to be his mama. Happy birthday, Joseph! ❤️
2020 has been challenging in so many ways. One of 2020 has been challenging in so many ways. One of those challenges was self-inflicted. 🙂 I just finished my fourth master’s level course of 2020 through Ball State, and I passed the high ability licensure exam last Thursday. This means that I will soon have high ability added to my teaching license. 
.
When I signed up to take my first class in January, I had no idea what 2020 was going to entail. Teaching in a pandemic isn’t for the faint of heart. Taking classes and caring for five kids while teaching in a pandemic has allowed me to see what I am really made of. I don’t mean to brag, but I am pretty happy that I received straight A’s. Beyond that, I learned so much, and I am grateful for this opportunity even though I felt stretched to my limits some days. 
.
Yes, 2020 has been challenging, but I have been blessed with more time with my family, knowledge gained, and challenges met and overcome.
I almost forgot to post this here. 🎂 Joshua is I almost forgot to post this here. 
🎂
Joshua is 16 years old today. It doesn’t seem possible that my little pip squeak of a baby boy is now about 6’4”. Joshua is now the tallest of the family, and I’m not sure he is done growing. There hasn’t been a dull moment since Joshua arrived, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. He is a fun-loving, hard-working, kind-hearted, and intelligent young man. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. I am so thankful God thought I was up to the task of being Joshua’s mama. ❤️
My little 7 pound 20 inch baby boy, who didn’t c My little 7 pound 20 inch baby boy, who didn’t cry as soon as he was born but first looked around to see what was going on in the world, is now a 6’2” handsome man. I truly never thought the years would go by so quickly, but here we are. James is 18 today. 

There are so many words I could use to describe James: hardworking, dedicated, persevering, intelligent, funny, curious, kindhearted, dependable, respectful, and helpful. I could also expound upon his accomplishments, and I could tell you how great he is. However, I don’t love James for what he has accomplished but simply because he is my son.

I have been so blessed to be James’s mom, and I thank God every day for entrusting him into my care. I don’t know what the future will hold for him, but I know he will do great things. 

For anyone reading this who is struggling with a tantrum throwing toddler, a strong-willed child, and/or a child who questions everything, I would like to encourage you. Look for the positive qualities your child possesses such as perseverance, dedication, and curiosity and build upon that. I will never regret the hard days of parenting because my prayers and hard work have paid off. Helping James reach his full potential and keep those qualities without breaking his spirit has been worth the effort.

Happy Birthday, James!
I’m not going to sugar coat it. Today seemed sur I’m not going to sugar coat it. Today seemed surreal. It felt chaotic. Nothing was normal. We are all exhausted. However, it was wonderful to be with my students again after five months, and my own kids enjoyed seeing their friends. I don’t know how this school year will play out, but I am ready to go back tomorrow and try to make teaching virtually and in person work to the best of my ability. My students are worth the effort. 
.
James is a senior, and this was his last first day of school. Joshua is a sophomore, and Joseph is in 7th grade which means I have all three of my boys in the same building with me. Janna is in fourth grade, and she was very excited to be back at school. Julia will be a senior in college when she starts back next week. 
.
I am praying we all have a safe and healthy school year. I plan to try not to think about the unknowns and what-ifs and take it one day at a time.
This morning I told four of my kids we were going This morning I told four of my kids we were going to go on an adventure. (No, I didn’t leave one out of the fun. James played in a golf tournament with his dad. 🙂) Anyway, it was quite an adventure. It started with my vehicle telling me one of the tires needed air, but it must be a bad sensor because it was fine. Then I almost ran out of gas. I drove us on all sorts of country roads we had never been on, and I even thought I was going south when I was actually going north for like 10 miles. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It was very obvious I have not been many places since March. 
.
Anyway, Julia, Joshua, Joseph, Janna, and I went to @maxandhoneys where we took some pictures and picked a beautiful bouquet. It was really fun. After that, we went to Greencastle and then to Lieber State Recreation Area. We finished by stopping to do a few things in my classroom, and we made it home before it started raining.
.
I am so thankful for a day of doing something fun and “normal” but out of the ordinary. I don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s the best way to describe it. Yes, we had to wear masks sometimes and practice social distancing, but it was still a good day. 
.
Here are some pictures from our day. The last picture is of James before he went to play golf. How is he old enough to be a senior? 😢 I am so thankful for my family. 💕 Also, kudos to Joshua and Joseph for being good sports about picking flowers. Their future wives will thank me. 😀

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