Detroit-Style Baked Cheddar and Pepperoni Square Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-09 · Updated 2026-07-09

A thick, airy square pizza with a golden, crispy cheese edge, loaded with pepperoni and sharp cheddar cheese baked in a buttery crust. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 38 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 1/2 cups pepperoni slices
• 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1 cup pizza sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl with 1 tbsp canola oil, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Preheat the oven to 500°F. Butter a 9x13 inch metal pan with 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and 3 tbsp canola oil to coat the bottom and sides.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to the pan and press it out evenly to the edges. The dough should be about 1/2 inch thick.
6. Step 6: Distribute 1 1/2 cups pepperoni slices evenly over the dough.
7. Step 7: Top the pepperoni with 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and then 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, spreading to cover the surface.
8. Step 8: Bake the pizza for 15 minutes until the cheese edges are golden brown and crispy and the crust is cooked through.
9. Step 9: Remove the pizza and spoon 1 cup pizza sauce in three stripes over the top. Return to oven for 3 more minutes until sauce is hot.
10. Step 10: Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.