Thick, crispy-bottomed pizza with caramelized cheese edges
Detroit-Style Pizza
Detroit-Style Pizza
2h 15mMedium
Prep Time
2 hr
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
2 hr 15 min
Servings
6
1 rectangular pizza
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Moderate
$$
Detroit-Style Pizza
Thick, crispy-bottomed pizza with caramelized cheese edges
A thick, rectangular pizza baked in a steel pan with Wisconsin brick cheese pressed to the edges for a caramelized, crispy cheese crust. Sauce goes on top, Detroit-style.
120m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
135m
Total Time
6
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Detroit-style pizza is all about that incredible cheese crust—brick cheese melts against the hot steel pan and caramelizes into a lacy, crispy edge. The sauce stripes on top are the signature.
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 packet instant yeast
- 1.25 cups warm water
- 8 oz Wisconsin brick cheese, cubed (or low-moisture mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- Pepperoni slices (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Mix flour, yeast, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt and sugar, and warm water. Knead 5 minutes until smooth. Let rise 1 hour.
- 2
Oil a 10x14 steel pan generously. Press dough into the pan, stretching to the edges. Let rise 30 minutes.
- 3
Distribute cubed cheese evenly over the dough, pressing some cubes against the pan edges.
- 4
Add toppings like pepperoni. Spoon sauce in 3 racing stripes across the top.
- 5
Bake at 500°F on the lowest rack for 12-15 minutes until the cheese edges are deeply caramelized.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with a fresh side salad for a balanced meal
Pair with your favorite grain or bread on the side
Garnish with fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation
Substitutions
Brick cheeseLow-moisture mozzarella mixed with Muenster
Muenster mimics brick cheese's buttery melt
Bread flourAll-purpose flour
Slightly less chewy but still works well
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
A steel Detroit-style pan gives the best results, but a well-oiled 9x13 cake pan works in a pinch.
Brick cheese is essential for authentic caramelized edges—blend it with mozzarella if you can't find enough.
Storage
Refrigerate slices up to 3 days. Freeze individually wrapped slices up to 1 month.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat covered for 3-4 minutes to re-crisp the bottom.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (45mg) · 6 servings
Calories420
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein18g
Carbohydrates20g
Fat42g
Fiber620mg
Sugar2g
Sodium3g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is brick cheese?
- A Wisconsin semi-soft cheese with high fat content that melts and caramelizes beautifully.
- Why sauce on top?
- Sauce on top is the Detroit tradition—it protects the cheese from burning and stays vibrant.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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