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Homemade Pizza Dough

Fresh pizza dough requires minimal ingredients!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 52 minutes

Equipment

  • 2 mixing bowls
  • pizza pan

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 cup warm water 105-110 degrees
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and warm water. Stir for a few seconds. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  • After 10 minutes, add the salt, olive oil, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast/water in bowl. Stir well to combine. Gradually mix in the remaining flour until dough forms. Every time I prepare this recipe, the flour quantity is slightly different. If the dough feels too sticky, mix in a little more flour. If it's too dry, mix in a little more warm water.
  • Once the dough is smooth, transfer dough to a glass bowl that has been coated with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • After it rises, gently punch down and knead on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into four equal parts or prepare one large pizza. Knead it with your hands to form a smooth dough ball. Transfer a plate and let rise for another 20 minutes. If not going to use right away, refrigerate it or freeze it for a later time.
  • Preheat oven to 500 degrees, roll out dough ball on lightly floured surface. On a large baking pan, add a little cornmeal and drizzle with olive oil. Carefully fold the pizza dough and transfer it to the baking sheet. Add your toppings(do not overload), bake for 14 to 16 minutes on the lowest rack in the oven. Move pizza to top rack and cook under the broiler for a few minutes if you like the cheese more browned and bubbly.

Notes

If using a large round pizza pan, after the dough proofs for the second time, knead it for a few minutes. I transfer the dough to a round pizza pan and shape it with my hands to form a large round pizza.  The pan has holes, so I don't add cornmeal or more oil. I spread on a light layer of sauce(8 oz), 6 oz of mozzarella, light toppings, more cheese, then bake for about 18 minutes!