Beyond the Box: Recreating the Pizza Hut Triple Treat Experience at Home
Pizza Hut’s Triple Treat Box. The name itself evokes memories of holiday gatherings, game nights, and pure, unadulterated cheesy bliss. For years, it was a seasonal staple, a convenient and affordable way to feed a crowd (or just yourself, we don’t judge) with pizza, breadsticks, and dessert, all neatly packaged in a festive, stackable box. The Triple Treat Box was synonymous with Pizza Hut’s holiday offerings and family deals.
But alas, all good things must come to an end…or do they? While Pizza Hut has seemingly retired the Triple Treat Box (at least for now), the craving for that trifecta of deliciousness remains strong. Fear not, pizza lovers! This article is dedicated to bringing the Triple Treat experience back into your life, not by waiting for its return, but by recreating it at home. We’ll break down each component – the pizza, the breadsticks, and the dessert – and provide you with easy-to-follow recipes and tips to assemble your own ultimate treat box.
## The Quest for the Perfect Pizza
No Triple Treat Box is complete without the pizza. While you can opt for store-bought dough and pre-made sauce, the real satisfaction comes from crafting your own masterpiece. Here are two pizza options to consider, catering to different levels of ambition:
**Option 1: Semi-Homemade Shortcut Pizza (For the Time-Conscious)**
This method utilizes store-bought pizza dough to save time, while still allowing for customization and a homemade touch.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound store-bought pizza dough (refrigerated or frozen, thawed)
* 1/2 cup pizza sauce (jarred or homemade – see recipe below)
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* Your favorite pizza toppings (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, olives, etc.)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Optional: Cornmeal or semolina flour for dusting
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Dough:** If using refrigerated dough, let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to work with. If using frozen dough, thaw it completely according to package directions.
2. **Preheat and Prep:** Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach, ideally 500-550°F (260-290°C). Place a pizza stone or baking steel in the oven while it preheats. If you don’t have a stone or steel, you can use a baking sheet.
3. **Shape the Dough:** Lightly flour a clean surface. Gently stretch or roll the dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Be careful not to tear the dough. If it’s too elastic and keeps snapping back, let it rest for a few more minutes.
4. **Transfer to Baking Surface:** If using a pizza stone or steel, lightly dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. Carefully transfer the dough to the peel. If using a baking sheet, you can shape the dough directly on the sheet.
5. **Sauce the Pizza:** Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border for the crust.
6. **Add Cheese and Toppings:** Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Add your desired toppings in a single layer.
7. **Bake the Pizza:** Carefully slide the pizza from the peel onto the preheated pizza stone or steel. If using a baking sheet, simply place the sheet in the oven. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. **Let it Rest:** Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
**Option 2: From-Scratch Pizza Perfection (For the Ambitious Baker)**
For the ultimate homemade pizza experience, this recipe includes making your own dough and sauce.
**Ingredients (Pizza Dough):**
* 1 cup warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
* 2 teaspoons sugar
* 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
* 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
**Ingredients (Pizza Sauce):**
* 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* ½ teaspoon dried basil
* ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions (Pizza Dough):**
1. **Activate the Yeast:** In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
2. **Combine Ingredients:** Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. **Knead the Dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
4. **First Rise:** Grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. **Punch Down and Second Rise:** Punch down the dough to release the air. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
**Instructions (Pizza Sauce):**
1. **Sauté Garlic:** Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
2. **Add Tomatoes and Seasonings:** Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. **Simmer:** Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
**Assemble and Bake (From-Scratch Pizza):**
1. **Preheat and Prep:** Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach, ideally 500-550°F (260-290°C). Place a pizza stone or baking steel in the oven while it preheats. If you don’t have a stone or steel, you can use a baking sheet.
2. **Shape the Dough:** Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch or roll the dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Be careful not to tear the dough. If it’s too elastic and keeps snapping back, let it rest for a few more minutes.
3. **Transfer to Baking Surface:** If using a pizza stone or steel, lightly dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. Carefully transfer the dough to the peel. If using a baking sheet, you can shape the dough directly on the sheet.
4. **Sauce the Pizza:** Spread the homemade pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border for the crust.
5. **Add Cheese and Toppings:** Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Add your desired toppings in a single layer.
6. **Bake the Pizza:** Carefully slide the pizza from the peel onto the preheated pizza stone or steel. If using a baking sheet, simply place the sheet in the oven. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. **Let it Rest:** Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
## Breadstick Bliss: Replicating the Cheesy Goodness
The breadsticks are an integral part of the Triple Treat experience. Soft, chewy, and generously seasoned, they’re the perfect complement to the pizza. Here’s a recipe to recreate those iconic breadsticks:
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
* 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
* 2 tablespoons melted butter
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* ½ teaspoon dried oregano
* ½ teaspoon dried basil
* ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Activate the Yeast:** In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
2. **Combine Ingredients:** Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. **Knead the Dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
4. **First Rise:** Grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. **Punch Down and Shape:** Punch down the dough to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12-16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long, thin rope, about 8-10 inches long.
6. **Arrange on Baking Sheet:** Place the breadsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them.
7. **Second Rise:** Cover the breadsticks with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for another 30 minutes.
8. **Preheat and Bake:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
9. **Brush with Butter and Season:** In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, oregano, and basil. Brush the breadsticks with the butter mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (if using).
10. **Bake:** Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown.
11. **Serve:** Remove the breadsticks from the oven and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce (marinara, garlic butter, etc.).
## Sweet Ending: The Dessert Pizza Revelation
The dessert pizza in the Triple Treat Box was often a chocolate chip cookie pizza. Here’s a recipe to create a similar sweet treat:
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ¾ cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups chocolate chips
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat and Prep:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-inch pizza pan.
2. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. **Add Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. **Stir in Chocolate Chips:** Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. **Press into Pan:** Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pizza pan.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
9. **Cool and Slice:** Let the cookie pizza cool completely in the pan before slicing into wedges.
## Assembling Your Ultimate Treat Box
Now that you’ve mastered each individual component, it’s time to assemble your own Triple Treat Box. Here are a few tips for creating the perfect presentation:
* **The Box:** While you may not have the exact Pizza Hut box, you can use a large cardboard box or even a few smaller boxes stacked together to create a similar effect. Decorate it with Pizza Hut-inspired designs for an extra touch of authenticity.
* **Compartmentalize:** Use cardboard dividers or smaller boxes to separate the pizza, breadsticks, and dessert pizza within the larger box. This will help keep everything organized and prevent the flavors from mingling.
* **Presentation:** Arrange the pizza slices neatly, stack the breadsticks attractively, and arrange the dessert pizza wedges in a pleasing pattern. Garnish with fresh herbs or sprinkles for an extra touch of flair.
* **Dipping Sauces:** Don’t forget the dipping sauces! Marinara sauce for the breadsticks, and maybe even a drizzle of chocolate sauce for the dessert pizza. Ranch dressing or garlic butter can also be great options.
## Variations and Customizations
The beauty of making your own Triple Treat Box is the ability to customize it to your own preferences. Here are a few ideas for variations:
* **Pizza Toppings:** Experiment with different pizza toppings to create your own signature pizza. Try adding gourmet cheeses, roasted vegetables, or spicy meats.
* **Breadstick Flavors:** Infuse the breadsticks with different flavors by adding herbs, spices, or even cheese to the dough. Garlic parmesan breadsticks, everything bagel breadsticks, or rosemary breadsticks are all delicious options.
* **Dessert Pizza Variations:** Get creative with the dessert pizza by using different types of cookies, adding fruit toppings, or drizzling with caramel or Nutella.
* **Dietary Restrictions:** Adapt the recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions by using gluten-free flour, vegan cheese, or sugar-free sweeteners.
## Conclusion
The Pizza Hut Triple Treat Box may be gone (for now), but its memory lives on. By following these recipes and tips, you can recreate the magic of the Triple Treat experience in your own home. Gather your friends and family, fire up the oven, and prepare to indulge in a homemade feast that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. So, go ahead and create your own customized, beyond-the-box experience that truly hits the spot. Enjoy the journey of crafting and customizing, and savor every delicious bite of your homemade tribute to a pizza legend! Who knows, maybe your homemade version will become a new holiday tradition.