Chocolate Pizza

To all of my regular readers, you know this blog is not only about food. You know this blog is about things I love! I have received a request, however, to provide a blog post about Chocolate Pizza. Truth be told, I've never actually eaten or even seen Chocolate Pizza until today. After searching high-and-low, I think I've found a recipe that is blog-worthy...

Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis' show 'Everyday Italian' on the Food Network, I give you *drum roll please* Chocolate Pizza:

Ingredients & Directions for Pizza Dough

• 1/2 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for bowl

Mix the warm water and yeast in a small bowl to blend. Let stand until the yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor to blend. Blend in the oil. With the machine running, add the yeast mixture and blend just until the dough forms. Turn the dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draft-free area until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Punch the down dough and form into ball. The dough can be used immediately or stored airtight in the refrigerator for 1 day.

Ingredients & Directions for Chocolate Pizza

• 1 pound homemade pizza dough, recipe follows, or purchased pizza dough
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, toasted

Position the oven rack on the bottom of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.

Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the dough to a 9-inch-diameter round. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Using your fingers, make indentations all over the dough. Brush the dough with butter, then bake until the crust is crisp and pale golden brown, about 20 minutes. Immediately spread the chocolate-hazelnut spread over the pizza then sprinkle all the chocolate chips over. Bake just until the chocolate begins to melt, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the hazelnuts over the pizza. Cut into wedges and serve.