Detroit-style pizza has become a beloved variety of pizza across the United States, renowned for its thick, crispy crust and square shape. The signature characteristic of this style of pizza is its deeply caramelized cheese edges which create a savory, crunchy texture that pizza enthusiasts adore.

Creating the perfect Detroit-style pizza at home is an achievable goal if you have the right technique and ingredients. Here’s how you can replicate this Motor City favorite in your own kitchen:

Ingredients:

– 2 tablespoons olive oil (for the pan)

– Pizza dough (enough to press into a rectangular deep-dish pan)

– Pepperoni slices

– 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed or shredded

– 8 ounces brick cheese or another meltable white cheese, cubed or shredded

– 1 1/2 cups of tomato sauce

– Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to its highest setting, usually between 500°F (260°C) and 550°F (288°C). Detroit-style pizza traditionally requires a very hot oven to achieve its distinctive caramelized cheese crust.
2. Drizzle olive oil in a rectangular metal pan. The traditional size for Detroit-style pizza is 10×14 inches, but any similar-sized pan will work. The oil ensures that your pizza won’t stick and contributes to the crispy crust.
3. Press your dough into the pan, pushing it up against the edges. An even distribution is key so that the crust cooks uniformly.
4. Lay down a layer of pepperoni on top of the uncooked crust if desired.
5. Combine mozzarella and brick cheese in a bowl and spread them evenly across the dough, making sure to push some of the cheeses against the sides of the pan. This is what creates the crispy caramelized edges.
6. Spoon tomato sauce over in three stripes or dollops atop the cheese layer; this helps maintain the fluffy structure of the dough while cooking.
7. Bake on the bottom rack of your oven for about 15 minutes, though cooking times may vary depending on your oven’s power and how crisp you prefer your crust.
8. Once cooked, remove from oven and let it sit for a few minutes before using spatulas to carefully lift it out onto a cutting board.
9. Optionally sprinkle with Italian seasoning for added flavor.
10. Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy!

To achieve that signature Detroit-style crunch and texture at home, cranking your oven as high as possible is crucial—it gives you that pizzeria-like quality that makes this type of pizza so special. With a little practice and lots of heat, you’ll be turning out unforgettable Detroit-style pizzas from your own kitchen.