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Sunday
Jan232011

Bacon and Egg Pizza Pie (via the Big Sur Bakery Cookbook) | Pie Month

This is the 8th entry in our Month of Pie. Pie Month is a celebration of things we love. Because life is hard, and there should always be more pie. Have a look at the other entries. Really. 
Pie #4 - Peanut Butter Cream Pie with Chocolate Whipped Cream
Pie #5 - Butterscotch Cream Pie with Gingersnap Crust and Cashew Brittle
Pie #6 - Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust
Pie #7 - Chocolate Kahlua Pie
Is pizza pie? 

We struggled with answering that question for our Month of Pie. Could a pizza really take one of our 15 slots for pie? Our decision came down to two things:

  1. What would Dean Martin say (WWDMS)? Given that it is amore when the moon hits your eyes, we felt fairly comfortable with his response.
  2. How did the pizza taste? In a word, “incredible.”
We've already told you about our love of the Big Sur Bakery Cookbook. So we turned to it when we stated on our Month of Pie, looking for inspiration. And while there are some sweet little pies in there (Chantrelle, Heirloom Tomato, Pork Belly with Barbecue Sauce and Sweet Corn), we were drawn to their Breakfast Pizza. In the middle of a flood of cream pies, this pizza called to us loudly.


Here’s what so special about the pizza...you crack eggs right on to top. The idea of three happy yolks standing at attention was too much to pass up (though I’m not sure I would have even thought of eating this five years ago). Also, the fresh tasting onion flavor coming from the scallions, chives, and shallots playing off the strong bacon and cheese flavors promised complete breakfast satisfaction.


We’re not big breakfast casserole people. They’re a favorite of many in our families, but this pizza is our answer to those casseroles. The ingredients are nearly the same, but the ratio of cheese to egg to bread to bacon is more to our liking.


You can make your own pizza dough (use your favorite), or you can purchase your dough from the grocery, or this being New Jersey, from a local pizza place. We made our own, but if we were in a hurry, I would have no problem using purchased dough.
This pizza can be thrown together in minutes in the morning. Within 30 minutes (10 for prep, 12 to cook), you’ve got an incredible pizza pie that balances nicely with that leftover chocolate pie you made the night before.


recipe | Breakfast Pizza via the Big Sur Bakery Cookbook


Note -  if you have a pizza stone, please use it. Heat it up in the oven and use a wooden peel to get the pizza on to the stone. We don’t have a pizza stone, so we’ve noted our approach below. 
  • 3 bacon strips or extra for snacking
  • Pizza dough for one pizza
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan 
  • 1 cup grated fresh mozzarella 
  • 3 eggs
  • Kosher salt
  • Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons basil
  • 2 tablespoons minced flat parsley
  • 2 tablespoons minced chives
  • 2 scallions (white and green parts), sliced thinly
  • 1 shallot, minced
Cook your bacon until crisp (we roast ours in the oven on a pan, 425 F for around 15 minutes for thicker bacon).  Place on paper towel to dry.

Shape your dough on lightly floured large cookie sheet, using your fingers to stretch the dough to the shape you want. We’re comfortable with irregularly-shaped pizzas. If you can make it circular, you are a better person than we are.

Sprinkle the Parmesan, mozzarella, and broken up bacon. Season with salt and pepper. 

Place pizza in the oven for four minutes.


Meanwhile, crack open the eggs into three separate small bowls. You’re doing this to move quickly when you place the eggs on top of the pizza. You don’t want to fumble around with a hot oven.


When the four minutes are up, slide out the oven rack with the pizza pan on it. Place the eggs on top of the pizza, evenly spaced. You might need to dig into the cheese a bit to make a nest for each egg. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 4-8 more minutes until the eggs are done to your liking.


When the eggs are done (we like them loose and a little runny) and the crust is golden, pull out the pizza, sprinkle with parsley, chives, scallions, and shallots. Slice and serve immediately.

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Reader Comments (13)

Pizza, pie, whatever you call it, it's pretty much the perfect dish - breakfast, lunch, dinner, post night out snack. Want.

January 23, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMardi @eatlivetravelwrite

Everything is better with an egg on it. Love the interpretation of pie.

January 23, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMrsWheelbarrow

I've been dying to make a breakfast pizza. This looks fantastic, Chris and Karen!

We're actually going to be in Big Sur this summer for a wedding and we'll definitely be going to the bakery. Nom!

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterA Thought For Food

Eggs and bacon are THE best couple of 2011 me thinks. :-p This pizza looks to die for. I could have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And snacks as well.

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterStephanie

my kinda pie . . . oh who am i kidding . . . ALL pie is my kinda pie . . . well except for kidney pie - ewwwww . . . gotta love me some breakfast pizza!! and Big Sur Bakery is pretty damn awesome!

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterSMITH BITES

As a non-egg eater, this sounds delicious minus the eggs! But I bet I could leave the eggs off part of it and just double up on bacon. I'm always up for a new way to eat bacon!

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterjen

So long breakfast casseroles! So long quiche! This pie or a few of these pies would be the perfect solution to any large brunch gatherings.

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterPaula

I am so impressed with all the pies! That raspberry one was gorgeous. This has me wanting a plate right now. Delicious!

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterCake Duchess

Wow- that sounds amazing. I've never heard of a bfast pizza but it's brilliant. Would be fun for brunch or when you have company over.

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMelanie Flinn

YUM!! Love this - I actually make something similar for my kids in mini mode (minus all the green "stuff" lol!)

Love the addition of scallions oh yum! And yes, I say it IS pie!!!

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterPicture Me Cooking

I was just thinking 'savoury pie'. This is MY kinda pie. What about this with jest a tech of bacon jam?

January 24, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterRebecca

Oh, thank you for posting a savory pie... I needed that. :) You've been killing me with all of the desserts.

Plus, this looks sooooo good. Love it!

January 27, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJen @ My Kitchen Addiction

I'm all in for this one. There is nothing like a good savory pie if you ask me. Lovely recipe! Lovely photos!!! *drool*

January 27, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKudos Kitchen

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