Fresh-Baked Fun

Help! It’s rainy, cold and you need to plan a party that won’t leave you broke before those holiday bills arrive. Why not throw a “Hands-on Pizza Party”? It works for teens, family gatherings, rambunctious boys or a mixed-age group. Begin by letting your kids make circle shaped invitations that look like a pizza. They can draw or glue on the cheese and pepperoni, and write details on the back.

Many kids have never made their own pizza and are thrilled at the process. You can buy fresh balls of pizza dough at Trader Joe’s, (in the refrigeration aisle right under the cheese). Each ball makes one pizza. If you want kids to make individual pizzas, simply cut the balls in half or thirds and give each child their own ball to roll out. Show kids how to coat the rolling pin with flour and roll the dough into a circle. Each guest can then spoon on sauce, grate some cheese, chop onions, peppers or other veggies to sprinkle and arrange on top. Have bowls of pepperoni, pineapple and your favorite pizza toppings ready to complete their masterpieces. Put each child’s name next to their pizza.

You can place several on one cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-18 minutes. (The smaller and thinner the crust, the faster it will cook.)

While the pizzas cook, you can keep kids busy tearing lettuce and chopping salad ingredients or fresh fruit to round out your meal. After enjoying your home-made pizzas, pop in your guests’ favorite movie, and relax.