Name: White Pizza Prosciutto Hot Honey: A Delicious Recipe & Guide
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 130 min
Yield: 1 large pizza or 2 medium pizzas
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups (420g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; 1 teaspoon (3g) instant dry yeast; 1 1/2 teaspoons (9g) salt; 1 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (105-115°F); 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, plus more for greasing; 4 tablespoons (60ml) unsalted butter; 4 tablespoons (30g) all-purpose flour; 3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra richness); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or torn; 4 ounces provolone cheese, shredded; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto; 2 tablespoons olive oil, for drizzling; Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional); 1/2 cup honey; 1-2 tablespoons chili flakes (adjust to your spice preference); 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

White Pizza Prosciutto Hot Honey: Prepare to experience a flavor explosion that will redefine your pizza expectations! Imagine a crispy, golden crust topped with creamy ricotta, salty prosciutto, and a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey. This isn't your average pizza night; it's a culinary adventure.

While pizza's origins trace back to ancient flatbreads, the modern white pizza, or "pizza bianca," emerged as a delightful alternative to the traditional tomato-sauce-based pie. It allows the other ingredients to truly shine, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. The addition of prosciutto, a dry-cured ham with Italian roots, elevates the dish with its savory richness. And the hot honey? That's the game-changer, a modern twist that perfectly balances the salty and sweet.

People adore this White Pizza Prosciutto Hot Honey for its incredible taste and satisfying texture. The creamy ricotta provides a luxurious base, the crispy prosciutto adds a delightful crunch, and the hot honey delivers a tantalizing kick that keeps you coming back for more. It's surprisingly easy to make at home, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. This White Pizza Prosciutto Hot Honey is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a sophisticated yet approachable culinary experience that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

3 1/2 cups (420g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon (3g) instant dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons (9g) salt
1 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (105-115°F)
2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, plus more for greasing

For the White Sauce:

4 tablespoons (60ml) unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (30g) all-purpose flour
3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Pizza Toppings:

8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or torn
4 ounces provolone cheese, shredded
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
2 tablespoons olive oil, for drizzling
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

For the Hot Honey:

1/2 cup honey
1-2 tablespoons chili flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

Preparing the Pizza Dough:

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt. Make sure the yeast is well distributed throughout the flour. This ensures even activation.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time. I find that a slightly tacky dough is ideal.
First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This step is crucial for developing the flavor and texture of the crust.
Punch Down and Divide (Optional): Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. You can either use the entire dough ball for one large pizza or divide it in half for two smaller pizzas. If dividing, shape each portion into a ball.
Second Rise (Optional): If you divided the dough, cover the dough balls and let them rest for another 15-20 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to stretch.

Making the White Sauce:

Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Be careful not to burn the butter.
Whisk in the Flour: Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes, creating a roux. This will help thicken the sauce. Cook the roux until it is lightly golden and smells nutty.
Gradually Add the Milk: Slowly pour in the warm milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth.
Simmer and Thicken: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Season the Sauce: Stir in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If using, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.

Preparing the Hot Honey:

Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, chili flakes, and rice vinegar.
Simmer: Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey is slightly thinned and the chili flakes have infused their flavor, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to boil the honey.
Cool: Remove from heat and let the hot honey cool slightly. The flavor will intensify as it cools.

Assembling and Baking the Pizza:

Preheat Oven and Pizza Stone (if using): Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) or as high as your oven will go. If you have a pizza stone or baking steel, place it in the oven while it preheats. This will help create a crispy crust.
Stretch the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll out the pizza dough to your desired shape and thickness. If using a pizza peel, dust it generously with flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking.
Transfer Dough to Baking Surface: Carefully transfer the stretched dough to the prepared pizza peel or baking sheet.
Spread the White Sauce: Spread an even layer of the white sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
Add the Cheese: Distribute the mozzarella and provolone cheese evenly over the white sauce.
Add Garlic: Sprinkle the minced garlic over the cheese.
Drizzle with Olive Oil: Drizzle a little olive oil over the pizza.
Bake the Pizza: If using a pizza stone, carefully slide the pizza from the peel onto the hot stone. If using a baking sheet, simply place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on it, as ovens vary.
Add Prosciutto: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately arrange the prosciutto slices over the hot pizza. The heat will slightly warm the prosciutto, releasing its flavor.
Drizzle with Hot Honey: Drizzle the hot honey generously over the pizza.
Garnish (Optional): Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Slice and Serve: Slice the pizza and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Conclusion:

This White Pizza with Prosciutto and Hot Honey isn't just another pizza recipe; it's an experience. The creamy, garlicky base, the salty prosciutto, and that sweet-and-spicy kick from the hot honey create a symphony of flavors that will have you craving it again and again. Trust me, once you taste this combination, you'll understand why I'm so excited to share it with you. It's the perfect balance of savory and sweet, rich and bright, and it's surprisingly easy to make at home. But the best part? It's incredibly versatile! Feel free to experiment with different cheeses. Fontina or Gruyere would be fantastic substitutes for the mozzarella, adding a nutty depth to the flavor profile. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some roasted vegetables like artichoke hearts or bell peppers for an extra layer of texture and flavor. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the prosciutto and add some crumbled goat cheese or roasted mushrooms. The possibilities are truly endless! Serving suggestions? This pizza is amazing on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple arugula salad dressed with a lemon vinaigrette. The peppery arugula cuts through the richness of the pizza, creating a refreshing contrast. A crisp, dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc would also be a perfect complement to the flavors. And for a truly decadent experience, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the cold sweetness is surprisingly delicious with the hot honey! I know you might be thinking, "Hot honey on pizza? Really?" But trust me on this one. The heat from the honey is subtle and balanced by the sweetness, creating a truly addictive flavor. It's the secret ingredient that elevates this pizza from ordinary to extraordinary. And if you're worried about the spice level, you can always adjust the amount of hot honey to your liking. Start with a drizzle and add more as needed until you reach your perfect level of heat. This White Pizza Prosciutto Hot Honey recipe is a must-try for any pizza lover. It's quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. Plus, it's a great way to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience pizza perfection. I'm so confident that you'll love this recipe, and I can't wait to hear what you think! Once you've tried it, please come back and leave a comment below. Let me know what variations you tried, what you paired it with, and most importantly, what you thought of the flavor combination. Did you add any extra toppings? Did you use a different type of cheese? I'm always looking for new ideas and inspiration, and I love hearing from my readers. Don't forget to share your creations on social media too! Tag me in your photos and use the hashtag #WhitePizzaProsciuttoHotHoney so I can see your amazing pizzas. I can't wait to see what you come up with! Happy cooking!