Traditional Pizza Dough Recipe

Serves 6 (small slices)

Ingredients:

  • 2 3/4 cup bread flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp active dried yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3/4 cup warm water (about)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

    • Instructions:

    1. In a small bowl, combine yeast, sugar and 1/4 cup water; leave until frothy.
    2. Add yeast liquid to flour with remaining water and oil.
    3. Mix to a soft dough; knead on a floured surface 10 minutes until smooth.
    4. Place in a greased bowl; cover with plastic wrap.
    5. Let rise in a warm place 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
    6. Punch down dough and knead briefly.
    7. Oil a 12-inch pizza pan.
    8. Place dough in center of pan; press out to edges with you knuckles.
    9. Pinch up edges to make a rim.
    10. If perferred, bake in a 14″ x 10″ jellyroll pan, or as 4 individual pizzas.
    11. Add toppings as described in recipe.

    Variations:
    1. Herb or Nut Pizza Dough: Knead 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (or 1 tablespoon dried herbs) into the dough. If prefered, knead 1 ounce chopped walnuts into the dough.
    2. Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough: Use 2-1/4 cups whole-wheat flour and 1/4 cup wheat germ. Add extra water as required to form a soft dough.
    3. Cornmeal Pizza Dough: Use 2-1/1 cups bread flour and 1/3 cup cornmeal.