I remember the first time I saw Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Calzone recipe. I was scrolling through his website, looking for something simple but indulgent to make for dessert, and this recipe just jumped out at me. The idea of combining pizza dough with rich melted chocolate seemed like a fun twist on traditional sweets. What I didn’t expect was how incredibly satisfying it would be to bite into that warm, gooey chocolate filling surrounded by crispy, soft dough.
There’s something about Jamie Oliver’s style that makes cooking feel approachable. He doesn’t complicate things but instead focuses on using good ingredients and keeping things real. This chocolate calzone recipe is the perfect example of how simple can be extraordinary.
Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Calzone Recipe
Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Calzone is a dessert that blends the best of both worlds: pizza and chocolate. It’s a playful take on traditional Italian calzone, but instead of savory fillings like cheese and tomato, it’s loaded with melted chocolate. The result is a treat that’s crispy on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside.
The key to this recipe is in the balance of dough and chocolate. The dough needs to be just right-not too thick, so it crisps up beautifully, but not so thin that it loses its structure when you fold it over the chocolate. It’s a deceptively simple recipe, yet it hits all the sweet spots: comforting, rich, and fun to make.
Ingredients Needed
Jamie keeps things simple with his ingredients, but what he chooses makes all the difference. Here’s everything you’ll need to bring the chocolate calzone to life:
- Pizza dough: You can make your own from scratch, or use store-bought dough. I’ve found that homemade pizza dough tends to give a slightly better texture, but both work.
- Dark chocolate: You want to use high-quality dark chocolate. It balances the sweetness of the calzone and melts beautifully.
- Butter: A little butter helps the dough brown nicely in the oven and adds richness to the filling.
- Sugar: A small sprinkle of sugar on the inside adds just the right level of sweetness.
- Cocoa powder: This adds extra depth to the chocolate filling, making it even more indulgent.
- Egg: For egg wash, which gives the calzone a golden, glossy finish when baked.
You’ll also need a pinch of sea salt to bring out the chocolate’s natural flavors. The salt balances the sweetness and adds complexity to the dessert.
How To Make Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Calzone
Making Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Calzone is surprisingly easy. It feels like a fun activity you can do with friends or family-especially when you all get to indulge in the end result. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to about 220°C (430°F), so it’s nice and hot when the calzones go in.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface. You want to get it thin enough that it crisps up, but thick enough to hold the chocolate filling. Aim for about 6-8 inches in diameter.
- Chop the chocolate: Break your dark chocolate into small chunks. The smaller pieces will melt more easily, ensuring every bite is rich and gooey.
- Fill the dough: Place a few tablespoons of the chocolate in the center of the dough circle. Be careful not to overfill it-about 2-3 tablespoons should do. You want enough chocolate to make it gooey but not so much that it spills out when you fold it.
- Seal the calzone: Fold the dough over the filling, forming a half-moon shape. Pinch the edges together tightly to seal in all that chocolate goodness.
- Egg wash: Lightly brush the outside of the calzone with a beaten egg. This gives the dough a shiny, golden finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the calzone on a baking sheet and bake it for about 10-12 minutes or until it’s golden brown. You’ll know it’s ready when the dough is crisp, and the chocolate is melting inside.
- Serve: Let it cool for a minute or two, then slice and enjoy!
Ingredient Science Spotlight
One of the things that fascinates me about Jamie’s recipes is how he leverages ingredient science without making things feel too complicated. Let’s break down some of the ingredients that make this chocolate calzone so special:
- Pizza dough: The dough’s rise comes from yeast, which ferments and produces carbon dioxide gas. This makes the dough light and airy. The flour, salt, and water create the basic structure, while a little olive oil helps the dough get a golden, crispy finish in the oven.
- Dark chocolate: Chocolate is a delicate balance of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. The cocoa solids give it depth, while the cocoa butter provides the smooth, velvety melt. When melted, the chocolate’s consistency makes it perfect for filling the calzone.
- Butter: Butter not only adds flavor but also affects the texture of the dough. The fat content creates a tender, flaky texture while the milk solids brown in the oven, giving that signature golden finish.
- Egg wash: The egg helps create a barrier between the dough and the air in the oven, making sure the dough becomes crispy instead of soggy. It also adds to the beautiful sheen on the crust.
Expert Tips
Here are a few pro tips that’ll make your chocolate calzone even better:
- Don’t overfill: While it might be tempting to load the calzone with chocolate, too much can cause it to spill out during baking. Stick to a couple of tablespoons to ensure a neat, gooey filling.
- Use good quality chocolate: The chocolate is the star of this dish, so don’t skimp on quality. Go for a 70% cocoa dark chocolate to get the perfect balance of sweetness and depth.
- Seal it well: Make sure the edges are pinched tight so the chocolate doesn’t escape while baking. You can even crimp the edges with a fork to make it look professional.
- Let it cool slightly before serving: It’s hard to resist, but letting the calzone rest for a minute or two will make it easier to cut and will prevent the chocolate from being too molten.
Recipe Variations
If you want to get creative with Jamie’s chocolate calzone, here are some fun variations to try:
- Nutty Calzone: Add chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or pistachios to the chocolate for a crunchy contrast.
- Fruit-filled Calzone: Add a handful of berries (raspberries, strawberries, or cherries) along with the chocolate for a fruity twist.
- Spiced Calzone: Sprinkle in a bit of cinnamon or chili powder for an extra layer of flavor that complements the chocolate.
- Nut Butter Calzone: Swap out some of the chocolate for a spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, or Nutella for a creamy, indulgent filling.
- White Chocolate Calzone: If dark chocolate isn’t your thing, you can swap it out for white chocolate or a mix of both.
Final Words
What I love most about Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Calzone is how easy it is to pull off, yet how luxurious it feels when you bite into it. It’s like creating your own personal pizza-dessert hybrid, and who doesn’t love a good food mash-up? Whether you make it as a fun family project or an indulgent treat for yourself, it’s one of those recipes that’s hard to mess up. The combination of crispy dough and melted chocolate will always hit the spot.
FAQs
What Ingredients Do I Need For Jamie Oliver’s Chocolate Calzone?
You’ll need pizza dough, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate (dark or milk), and a bit of butter.
Can I Use Ready-made Dough For The Calzone?
Yes, you can! Ready-made dough works well if you’re short on time.
How Long Does It Take To Bake The Chocolate Calzone?
Bake it for about 10-15 minutes at 180°C (350°F) until golden and crisp.