Step 1: Prepare the Oven and the Canvas

First, position an oven rack in the center of your oven. A central position ensures even heat distribution, which is key for a perfectly cooked pizza from crust to center. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If you are using a pizza stone, place it in the oven now to preheat along with it. This intense heat will give your crust a fantastic, crispy finish.

Next, prepare your pizza pan. Lightly grease a 12-inch or 14-inch round pizza pan or a large baking sheet. For an extra-crispy, pizzeria-style crust, sprinkle the greased pan with a tablespoon of cornmeal. The cornmeal acts like tiny ball bearings, allowing the pizza to slide off easily and adding a delightful crunch to the bottom of the crust.

Step 2: Shape the Dough

Place your pound of pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. The flour will prevent it from sticking as you work. Gently press the dough down with your fingertips, starting from the center and working your way out to the edges. This process, known as “docking,” helps to de-gas the dough. Continue to stretch and press the dough into a 12- to 14-inch circle. If the dough resists and springs back, let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making it much easier to shape. Once shaped, carefully transfer the dough to your prepared pizza pan. For a defined crust, use your fingers to pinch and build up a slightly thicker rim around the edge. If you like, you can brush this outer rim with a little olive oil for a glossy, golden-brown finish after baking.

Step 3: Lay the Foundation of Flavor

Spoon the ¾ cup of pizza sauce onto the center of the dough. Using the back of the spoon, spread the sauce in a circular motion, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edge for the crust. It’s important to use a thin, even layer. Too much sauce will make the center of your pizza soggy and can compromise the crispness of the crust.

Now, create your blank canvas. Sprinkle the 2 ½ cups of shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, going all the way to the edge of the sauce layer. A thick, even layer of cheese is what will make your spider web design pop.

Step 4: Weave the Web

This is the most creative step! Place the ¼ cup of full-fat sour cream into a small squeeze bottle with a narrow tip or into a small, sturdy plastic sandwich bag. If using a bag, push the sour cream into one corner and snip off a tiny piece of the tip—start small, as you can always make the hole bigger.

Starting from the center of the pizza, pipe the sour cream into a continuous spiral, moving outwards until you are about an inch from the edge of the cheese. Don’t worry about making the lines perfectly spaced or uniform; slight imperfections will make the web look more natural.

Next, take a toothpick, a wooden skewer, or the tip of a sharp knife. Place the tip in the very center of the sour cream spiral. Gently drag the tip in a straight line from the center to the outer edge of the crust. Wipe the toothpick clean. Rotate the pizza and repeat this process, dragging lines from the center outwards about 6 to 8 times, spaced evenly around the pizza, like spokes on a wheel. This action will pull the sour cream spirals, magically transforming them into an intricate spider web pattern.

Step 5: Unleash the Spiders and Bake

It’s time to create your creepy crawlers. To make one spider, take one whole pitted black olive and place it on the pizza for the body. Then, take another olive and slice it in half lengthwise. Slice each of these halves into thin, curved strips. These will be the legs. Carefully arrange four of these leg slivers on each side of the “body” olive.

Create and place 3 to 5 of these spiders across your web. Position them strategically for the best visual effect—perhaps one in the center, and a few crawling along the web strands.

Carefully place the pizza on the center rack of your preheated oven (or directly onto your preheated pizza stone). Bake for 12 to 18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just beginning to turn golden at the edges. Keep a close eye on it, as the sour cream can brown if overcooked.

Once baked to perfection, remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest on the pan for a few minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice. Slice and serve hot for the ultimate spooky treat!