Cheese-Stuffed Crusts: Pizza Hut's Mozzarella Magic

Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza is a large pizza with warm, melty cheese stuffed into the crust. The cheese used is typically mozzarella, but some recipes may also include white cheddar, provolone, Asiago, and fontina. The dough is made from traditional pizza dough and is stretched slightly larger to accommodate the cheese-stuffed crust. This innovative pizza was introduced by Pizza Hut in 1995 and has since become a staple in households across the globe, with many other pizza chains offering their own versions.

Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza uses whole milk mozzarella

Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust® Pizza is a large pizza with a unique selling point: warm, melty cheese is stuffed into the crust. This innovative idea was the brainchild of Patty Scheibmeir, a former food scientist for Pizza Hut, and it took three years of work to bring it to life. Since its launch in 1995, it has become a staple in households across the globe, with many trying and failing to recreate it.

The cheese in question is 100% real cheese made from whole milk mozzarella. The mozzarella is stuffed into Pizza Hut's traditional pizza dough, which is then topped with classic marinara and your choice of toppings.

The success of the Original Stuffed Crust Pizza is evident in the sales figures. In its first year, it generated more than $300 million in sales. It also set a precedent for Pizza Hut's continuous innovations, with the company continuing to test the limits of what can be included in a pizza crust.

The Original Stuffed Crust Pizza is still available at Pizza Hut today, and its popularity has endured, with some customers even driving to Pizza Hut to avoid delivery charges when ordering this variety!

The cheese is added in-house to the frozen dough

Pizza Hut's famous stuffed crust pizza has been a staple in households across the globe since 1995. The pizza dough is stretched larger than usual to leave room for the cheese-stuffed border. The dough comes frozen and is prepared by spraying a pan or cooking sheet with non-stick spray, then laying the dough on it and putting it in the walk-in freezer to thaw overnight.

Once the dough is thawed and ready, it can be prepped for stuffed crust. The Pizza Hut employee on Reddit says it all starts with hand-tossed dough. Employees pull the edges of the dough past the cooking tray, adding string cheese along the edge, and then folding it back over. The cheese is added in-house to the frozen dough, and the pizza is then baked to create a magically golden crust stuffed with gooey mozzarella.

The cheese used in Pizza Hut's stuffed crust is typically mozzarella, but the company has also experimented with different combinations of cheeses over the years. In 2013, Pizza Hut introduced a three-cheese stuffed crust pizza with mozzarella, white cheddar, and provolone. In 2017, they took it a step further with their Ultimate Cheese Crust Pizza, which featured 16 cheese-filled pockets that could be pulled apart from the pizza. This limited-time offering included a mixture of mozzarella, provolone, white cheddar, Asiago, and fontina cheeses.

While Pizza Hut has continued to innovate and experiment with different cheese combinations, the classic stuffed crust remains a favorite among customers. The addition of cheese to the frozen dough in-house creates a unique and delicious experience that has become synonymous with the Pizza Hut brand.

The dough is stretched to leave room for the cheese-filled crust

The dough is the foundation of any pizza, and when it comes to Pizza Hut's signature stuffed crust, the dough plays an even more critical role. The process begins with Pizza Hut's proprietary frozen dough, which is prepared by thawing it overnight in a pan coated with non-stick spray. This step ensures that the dough is ready for the next day's pizza-making action.

Once the dough is thawed and prepared, it's time for the magic to happen. To create the stuffed crust, Pizza Hut employees use a technique called "stretching the dough." This involves taking the hand-tossed dough and skillfully pulling the edges past the cooking tray, creating extra room for the cheese-filled crust. This step is crucial as it provides the space needed for the delicious, gooey cheese to be added.

The dough is stretched to a generous size, leaving a border of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) around the edge. This extra room is essential for the cheese to be added. The cheese of choice for the classic stuffed crust is mozzarella, specifically in the form of string cheese or a cylinder stick of mozzarella. This type of cheese melts beautifully and provides that irresistible stretch and gooeyness that makes stuffed crust so popular.

After stretching the dough, employees carefully place the string cheese or cylinder sticks of mozzarella along the edge of the crust, ensuring each piece is securely tucked in. Then, the magic happens—the dough is folded back over the cheese, creating a sealed pocket of cheesy goodness. This technique ensures that the cheese stays put during baking and delivers that signature burst of flavour in every bite.

The dough-stretching technique is a delicate art that requires practice and precision. It ensures that the crust is not too thick and allows for an even bake. By stretching the dough, Pizza Hut ensures that each bite of their stuffed crust pizza delivers a balanced combination of fluffy crust and indulgent, melted cheese. This attention to detail has made Pizza Hut's stuffed crust a staple for pizza lovers worldwide.

The cheese is placed along the edge of the dough, which is then folded over and sealed

Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza has been a beloved menu item since its debut in 1995. The chain's signature stuffed crust is made by placing cheese along the edge of the dough, which is then folded over and sealed. This creates a delicious, golden crust that's packed with warm, gooey cheese.

To make this mouth-watering creation, Pizza Hut employees start with their hand-tossed dough. They pull the edges of the dough past the cooking tray and add the cheese, typically in the form of string cheese or mozzarella sticks, along the edge. The dough is then folded back over the cheese and sealed, creating a pocket of cheesy goodness. This simple yet genius technique revolutionized the pizza industry and has become a staple for pizza lovers worldwide.

The cheese used in Pizza Hut's stuffed crust is typically mozzarella, a classic pizza cheese known for its stretchy, melty texture. However, some variations have included other cheese combinations, such as mozzarella, white cheddar, and provolone. This three-cheese blend takes the stuffed crust to the next level, offering an even more indulgent experience.

Preparing the dough for stuffed crust pizza requires a specific technique. The dough is stretched into a large circle, usually about 16 inches in diameter, to accommodate the extra cheese along the edge. This larger size ensures that the crust doesn't become too thick and allows for a generous amount of cheese to be stuffed inside.

The sealing process is crucial to ensuring that the cheese doesn't ooze out during baking. Employees carefully fold and pinch the dough to create a tight seal, and they may use a docker wheel to further secure the seam and prevent the dough from rising too much in the oven. This tool also helps create an even, uniform crust.

The stuffed crust only adds 40 calories per slice

Pizza Hut's stuffed crust has long been a favourite for cheese lovers, and it's easy to see why. The famous stuffed crust is filled with mozzarella cheese, adding a delicious, chewy texture and a generous helping of extra cheese flavour to every bite. But here's the best part: despite the indulgent extra cheese, the stuffed crust only adds 40 calories per slice! That's right, just a small amount of calories for a lot of extra taste.

For those watching their waistlines, this is fantastic news. You can still enjoy the delicious, oozy, cheesy goodness of the stuffed crust without derailing your diet. It's a small upgrade with a big impact on taste, and a minimal impact on your calorie intake. With just 40 extra calories per slice, you can treat yourself without the guilt.

A regular slice of Pizza Hut cheese pizza has around 200 calories. Adding the stuffed crust takes it to 240 calories per slice. That's a very small price to pay for the delicious, mouth-watering cheese-filled crust experience. You get a lot of extra flavour for a minimal increase in calories.

The stuffed crust option is a great way to get your cheese fix without going overboard on calories. It's a smart choice for those who want to indulge a little, but still keep their pizza choice in the realm of 'treat' rather than 'cheat'. With the calorie count being so minimal, you can enjoy the taste sensation of the stuffed crust without any of the worry.

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