Pizza Puffs — Because Sometimes Two Is the Only Number That Matters

We found out today that we are having twins.

I know that sentence needs more after it. I will try. The anatomy scan was this morning and I was lying on the table and the ultrasound technician was moving the wand around and she went quiet for a moment and then she said: there is something I need to show you. I said: what is it. She said: do you see this — and she pointed to one thing — and then she said: and this — and she pointed to another thing. I said: two. She said: two. I said: two? She said: two. Ryan, who had been holding my hand, went completely white. I laughed. I did not plan to laugh. It was just the first thing that happened, and it was the real laugh, the one that comes when something is so specific to the particular shape of your life that laughter is the only right response. Because of course it is twins. Nothing in my life has ever been simple. Why would the first pregnancy be.

Ryan recovered from white to pale to present in approximately four minutes. He squeezed my hand. He said: okay. I said: okay. He said: we can do this. I said: we can absolutely do this. The technician looked at us like she was not sure what to make of us and I said we are fine, we are just processing, and she said she understood.

I called Patty. She said oh my God. She said it three times. Steve in the background said you are going to need a bigger car and then said it again louder when it became clear she had not heard him the first time. Babcia Rose, when I told her: she laughed too. She said: of course. Just that. Of course. She understood immediately. We are cut from the same cloth, Babcia Rose and I. We know when the universe is being specific about something.

We did not cook that night. We ordered delivery pizza and ate it on the floor of the living room because neither of us had the energy to clear the table, which was still covered in ultrasound printouts and the paperwork they send you home with when your life has just doubled. But a few days later, once the shock had softened into something closer to wonder, I made these Pizza Puffs — little golden bites that are barely more effort than dialing for delivery but taste like you actually tried. They felt right: small, warm, easy, and best eaten side by side on the couch while you say the word “twins” out loud for the fortieth time just to hear how it sounds.

Pizza Puffs

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Servings: 24 puffs

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
• 1/4 cup finely diced green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup pizza sauce, plus more for dipping
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray or olive oil.
2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, oregano, and salt.
3. Combine the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then stir in the milk, olive oil, and pizza sauce until smooth.
4. Bring the batter together. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined — a few lumps are fine. Fold in the mozzarella, pepperoni, and bell pepper.
5. Fill the muffin tin. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
6. Bake. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the puffs are golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and serve. Let the puffs cool in the tin for 3 to 4 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 65 | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Carbs: 6g | Fiber: 0g | Sodium: 145mg