Aug 31 2026
Restaurants›Pizza Delight›6" Happy Face Garlic Cheese Fingers Recipe

6" Happy Face Garlic Cheese Fingers Recipe

Inspired by Pizza Delight
Time1h
Serves1

Served with your choice of fries or side salad.

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Ingredients

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Dough & Base

Cheese Filling & Topping

Garlic Butter & Seasoning

Assembly & Finish

Optional Sides (choose one)

Method

Dough & Base

  1. 1

    Activate yeast

    In a small bowl, combine warm water (about 105–115°F / 40–46°C), sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit 5–8 minutes until foamy.

  2. 2

    Make dough

    In a mixing bowl combine flour and salt. Add foamy yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and slightly elastic. If very sticky, add up to 1 tablespoon more flour.

  3. 3

    First rise

    Lightly oil a bowl with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, place dough inside, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 30–45 minutes until roughly doubled. This recipe yields enough dough to form a 6-inch round base plus extra for forming fingers.

Cheese Filling & Topping

  1. 4

    Prepare cheese mix

    In a bowl combine shredded mozzarella, shredded provolone, softened cream cheese, and grated Parmesan. Mix until evenly combined. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan for sprinkling on top after baking.

  2. 5

    Portion filling

    Divide the cheese mixture into 6 equal portions (about 2 tablespoons each) to fill each 'finger' and one small spoonful to place on the face as required for design accents.

Garlic Butter & Seasoning

  1. 6

    Make garlic butter

    Melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Heat gently for 30–45 seconds to bloom the garlic (avoid browning). Remove from heat and set aside.

Assembly & Shaping

  1. 7

    Preheat & prepare pan

    Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly brush a 6-inch round cake pan or small pizza pan with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and dust with 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch to prevent sticking.

  2. 8

    Shape base

    Punch down the risen dough and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or press dough into an approximate 6-inch round about 1/4-inch thick, leaving a slightly thicker rim for structure.

  3. 9

    Form cheese fingers

    Cut the perimeter of the round into 6 equal segments (like slicing a pie but stopping about 3/4 of the way to the center so segments remain attached). Gently roll or fold each segment outward to form a finger shape (elongated pebble). Press a 2-tablespoon portion of the cheese mixture lengthwise into each finger, folding dough over lightly and sealing edges so cheese is enclosed but will still ooze slightly. Place seams down onto the pan to minimize opening.

  4. 10

    Create happy face

    Using a small knife or the back of a spoon, shape the center area to form a 'face' surface. Use a tiny spoonful of cheese to create 'eyes' (two small mounds) and a curved strip of dough or a thin line of cheese for the smiling mouth. Optionally use two small peppercorns or tiny olive pieces to mark pupils if desired.

  5. 11

    Egg wash & garlic butter

    Whisk the egg with 1 teaspoon cold water. Lightly brush the dough (not the cheese mounds) with egg wash to encourage golden browning. Reserve 1 tablespoon of garlic butter for brushing after baking; lightly brush remaining garlic butter over the exposed dough and fingers (avoid heavy pooling over cheese mounds). Sprinkle remaining grated Parmesan lightly over fingers and the face.

  6. 12

    Final proof

    Let the assembled 6" fingers rest for 10–12 minutes at room temperature for a short final rise.

Bake & Finish

  1. 13

    Bake

    Place pan on middle rack and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cheese is melted and starting to bubble. If the cheese eyes/mouth need additional browning, broil for 20–40 seconds while watching carefully.

  2. 14

    Finish with garlic butter

    Remove from oven and immediately brush reserved garlic butter over the hot fingers to soak into crust. Sprinkle the reserved tablespoon of Parmesan and a pinch of chopped parsley over the top for color.

  3. 15

    Rest & plate

    Allow the 6" Happy Face Garlic Cheese Fingers to rest 2–3 minutes to let cheese settle. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with choice of fries or side salad on the side, and offer marinara or ranch for dipping if desired.

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