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Classic Pizza Crust Recipe

Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon cooking oil

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, 1 cup of flour, and the salt. Mix. Next, add the water and oil. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl and continue to beat on high speed for 3 minutes. By hand, stir in enough flour to make the dough stiff. Knead until smooth which can take up to 10 minutes. Place in a well greased bowl and turn the dough until it is lightly greased.

Cover and let rise for about 1 1/2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size. Punch it down and chill for 2 hours. Cut the dough in half. On a floured surface, roll the halves into 12 inch circle and about 1/8 inch thick. Brush the surfaces of the dough with olive oil and add the toppings of your choice. Cook at 425 for 25 minutes.

Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 packages dry active yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cup lukewarm water from the tap
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
Flour, for the work surface
Cornmeal, to dust

Directions:

In a mixing bowl fitted with a dough hook, place flour, yeast, salt and sugar. While mixer is running, gradually add water and knead on low speed until dough is firm and smooth, about 10 minutes. Turn machine off. Pour oil down inside of bowl. Turn on low once more for 15 seconds to coat inside of bowl and all surfaces of dough with the oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in warm spot until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. If using a pizza stone, place stone in oven on bottom rack, preheat oven 1 hour ahead. Punch dough down, cut in half. Place half of the dough on generously floured work surface. By hand, form dough loosely into a ball and stretch into a circle. Using floured rolling pin, roll dough into large circle until very thin. Don't worry if your circle isn't perfect and if you get a hole just pinch the edges back together. To prevent dough from sticking to counter, turn over the dough and sprinkle with flour. Also, flour the counter top and rolling pin as needed. Sprinkle pizza peel or cookie sheet generously with cornmeal. Transfer dough to pizza peel or cookie sheet with no lip. Add toppings. Slide dough onto pizza stone or place cookie sheet with pizza on bottom rack. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Roll out remaining dough and top with desired toppings or freeze in freezer bags.

Pizza Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoon bread machine yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch sugar

Directions:

Place all ingredients except water in a food processor. Pulse to mix well. Then turn machine on and drizzle the water in until it forms a ball. Let the ball go around a few times in the machine to knead it a bit. Remove dough onto a floured surface and knead well for a few minutes until elastic. Place in a greased bowl and let rise until doubled. Remove from bowl and punch down. Cut into 2 pieces and roll out into 4 medium size crusts, enough to feed 4 people. Turn oven on and preheat at 400°F for 30 minutes, if using pizza stone. If no stone, preheat oven to 400°F for 10-15 minutes. Place pizza crust on the back of a baking sheet that has been covered with a sprinkling of cornmeal. Place in oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and cover with toppings. Place back in oven and bake for 8 more minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.