Recipe(tried): Pizza Bread Appetizer (pull-apart bread)

This a pull-apart bread that is also a variation on that wonderful appetizer bread made with bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing mix. It doesn't have any tomato sauce in it, for those who don't like pizza sauce, but has a real taste of pizza - it's great when everyone's been swimming and is now starving, but it's not dinner time yet! Enjoy--

PIZZA BREAD APPETIZER

1 (8 oz) package pepperoni slices
Olive oil
1 lb (thawed) frozen bread dough or unbaked pizza dough (try your local Italian bakery for this)
2 cup shredded pizza cheese (mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar - mix to taste)
1 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning mix (I use a Tuscan seasoning mix)
warmed spicy marinara sauce (for serving)

Cut pepperoni slices in half with sharp kitchen shears and place in a sauce pan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes. Drain and dry on paper towels, blotting off any fat. Let cool.

Place 1 tbsp olive oil in large mixing bowl; set aside.

Preheat oven to 175 to 200 degrees F to use as a place for the dough to rise. Spray 9x13 inch pan thoroughly with cooking spray.

Rub olive oil on counter or large cutting board. Pat out dough into large rectangle, so dough is about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Using kitchen shears, cut into 1 inch wide strips, then cut strips into 1 inch squares over the oiled bowl.

Add in pepperoni, cheese, and seasoning, plus 1 tbsp olive oil to the dough pieces. Mix gently but thoroughly with large spoon or hands.

Place seasoned bread in prepared pan evenly; do not press down. Spray a large piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and cover the pan lightly. Turn off oven and place pan in oven to rise until doubled, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Remove pan from oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Remove plastic wrap carefully to prevent deflating dough, and place pan in oven to bake 20-30 minutes, until golden brown.

Serve with warmed spicy marinara sauce for dipping.

Serves 10-12.