Caramelised Onion & Mushroom Pizza
The unexpected star is the pinch of mahlab in the dough — it bakes into a bakery-style aroma — while onions caramelise slowly with a little brown sugar and join the mushrooms over pizza sauce under a blanket of mozzarella.
Caramelised onion and mushroom pizza is a refined take that steps away from the usual toppings toward deeper, more mellow flavours. Onions cooked slowly to a golden caramel bring a sweetness that plays against earthy mushrooms and melting mozzarella. A soft dough perfumed with mahlab completes a combination that is at once simple and elegant.
How to Prepare
Make the dough: mix the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, milk powder and mahlab, add the water gradually with the butter, and knead until soft; proof 1 hour.
Caramelise the onions in butter and olive oil with salt, pepper and brown sugar, adding the splash of water; stir in the mushrooms until golden.
Stretch the dough into rounds and spread with pizza sauce.
Top with the caramelised onion-mushroom mix and plenty of mozzarella.
Bake at 230°C on a preheated tray or stone for 10–12 minutes until blistered and bubbling.
Slice and serve while the cheese still pulls.
Caramelised onions hate to be rushed — fifteen slow minutes give sweetness that no shortcut can fake.
Ingredient Swaps
• Mahlab is optional for perfuming the dough and can be omitted without affecting the texture.
• Swap fresh mushrooms for drained canned ones when fresh are unavailable.
• The brown sugar for caramelising the onions can be replaced with honey or pomegranate molasses.
Common Questions
How do I caramelise onions properly?
Cook them on low heat with a little water and butter until they soften and turn golden without burning.
How do I get a crisp base?
Roll the dough thin and bake it at high heat on the lower rack.
Can I prepare the dough ahead?
Yes, let it proof then refrigerate for a day or freeze for later.
Why do the mushrooms release water?
They hold a lot of moisture; sauté them briefly beforehand to evaporate it.
When do I add the cheese?
Spread the cheese first, then the onions and mushrooms on top so it melts and holds them.
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