Recipe: Pizza Lunchables (clone)

Pizza "Lunchables"
Source: Lynette's Kitchen Delights

My girls are absolutely fascinated by the Lunchables that are available in the store, but I find them too expensive to buy except on rare occasion. (Not to mention all the packaging and fat that goes into them.) I decided to create my own homemade pizza lunchable that the kids just love. I am thrilled to find something fun to put into my girls lunches and love their low cost. I also make mine healthier by using lowfat cheese and lowfat turkey pepperoni.

1/4 recipe favorite pizza dough
1 cup pizza or spaghetti sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
pepperoni slices, cut in pieces (optional)

Make pizza dough as per recipe, reserve 1/4 for "Lunchables".

Roll dough about 1/4-inch thick and cut out using round or other fun cookie cutters. (Cookie cutters are best if about 3-4 inches in diameter.) Bake as directed until very lightly browned. Set on baker's rack to cool. Package into zipper baggie with 3 crusts to a baggie. Use immediately for a fun lunch or dinner or freeze for use later.

When ready to serve in child's lunch, place baggie of pizza crusts, 1/4 cup sauce in small container, 1/4 cup cheese in small baggie and pepperoni pieces in small baggie into child's lunchbox. Add a piece of fruit and something to drink and lunch is complete.

NOTES : Another option is to make the dough into bread sticks and serve with pizza sauce to dip and cheese to put on top.

Pizza Dough (ABM)
This recipe for pizza dough from the Zojurishi recipe booklet has become famous on the What's for Dinner board on Mom's Online. AMOM Pam first posted it and ever since it has been known as "her" recipe. This makes an absolutely perfect, delicious and chewy pizza crust. Once you try this recipe, you'll have a hard time going back to any other. Don't be afraid to try it with the flat beer. It won't taste like beer at all, it just adds to the yeasty flavor.

1 cup flat beer or water
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

Add ingredients in the order listed above. Select "Dough" setting. Turn dough out onto floured surface. Prepare pans - lightly grease metal pans or dust pizza stones with cornmeal. Roll or press dough into prepared pizza pan. Brush lightly with vegetable oil or olive oil. Cover dough; let stand 15 minutes. Top with desired topping and bake in a 400 degree oven for approximately 25 minutes. Yields enough dough for 15-inch round thick crust. Use less dough for thinner crust.

Note: Leftover dough makes excellent breadsticks, or cinnamon rolls.