Cheesy Pizza Cupcakes (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Dry Items

01 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp dried oregano
05 - 2 tsp baking powder
06 - 2 cups plain flour

→ Wet Items

07 - 1/4 cup olive oil
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 cup full-fat milk
10 - 1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus a little extra for dipping later

→ Add-ins and Toppings

11 - 12 small mozzarella cubes, about 1/2-inch each, for filling
12 - 1 cup small pepperoni, split (3/4 cup for inside, 1/4 cup for topping)
13 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella, split (3/4 cup for inside, 1/4 cup for topping)
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Crank up your oven to 375°F so it's ready to go. Grease the cups of a 12-slot muffin tin using olive oil spray for flavor or any other method you like. Butter works too!
02 - In a big mixing bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until it's all nicely blended. It might already remind you of pizza!
03 - Crack the eggs into another bowl. Whisk them with milk, olive oil, and pizza sauce until smooth. You'll see a reddish mix – kinda pretty, isn’t it?
04 - Pour the wet mix over the dry ingredients and gently stir until the two become one. It might look lumpy, but don’t stress—it’s fine!
05 - Fold 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella, all the Parmesan, and 3/4 cup of the mini pepperoni into the batter. A few light stirs should do it—you don’t want to overdo it.
06 - Scoop the batter into each muffin slot, filling each halfway. Drop one mozzarella cube into the center of each cup, pressing it gently so it stays in place.
07 - Cover the cheese cubes with more batter till they disappear. Then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and pepperoni on top. Give the toppings a little press so they stick.
08 - Bake them for 15-18 minutes. Keep an eye out—when the tops are golden and the cheese is bubbling, they're good to go! Your kitchen’s gonna have that amazing pizza joint smell.
09 - Allow these savory treats to cool in the tin for around 5 minutes. It makes them easier to take out. Run a knife around the edges if they’re stuck, then gently lift them out.
10 - Arrange the cupcakes on a serving plate while they're still warm. Put some extra pizza sauce in a bowl for dipping and enjoy the melted center with every bite!

# Notes:

01 - Feel free to switch things up with toppings like olives, bell peppers, or crumbled sausage.
02 - Brush the tops with garlic butter just before serving to level up the flavor.
03 - Double the batch and freeze half—you’ll thank yourself later when you need a quick snack!
04 - These are best served warm because that gooey cheese filling is at its peak.

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