# Ingredient List:
→ Dough
01 - 1 lb pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
→ Sauce & Cheese
02 - 1/2 cup pizza sauce
03 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Toppings & Decoration
04 - 24 slices pepperoni, optional
05 - 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons cornmeal, for dusting
08 - 2 tablespoons thinly sliced black olives, for basketball lines
09 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste, optional
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly dust with cornmeal.
02 - Divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten gently into a 2-inch round.
03 - Place a small spoonful of pizza sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese in the center of each dough round. Add pepperoni slice if desired.
04 - Pinch edges to seal fillings inside and roll gently back into balls. Place seam-side down on baking sheet.
05 - Brush each ball lightly with olive oil. For enhanced basketball color, mix tomato paste with olive oil and brush on top.
06 - Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over each ball. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden and cheese is bubbling.
07 - Allow to cool for 2 minutes. Use thin strips of black olive to create basketball line designs on each bite.
08 - Serve warm accompanied by extra pizza sauce for dipping.
